Table of Contents
- Understanding Soap Caps and Toners
- Will a bleach wash remove toner?
- What will remove toner from hair?
- What to do if toner made my hair too dark?
- How long does it take toner to get out of hair?
- Why does my hair toner fade so fast?
- How many washes to fix over-toned hair?
- Conclusion
Will a soap cap remove a toner? Yes! Depending on the toner used and the hair color.
Freshly bleached hair can look unnatural and raw. A toner balances your hair color, adds loads of shine, and balances out each strand’s pH.
Unfortunately (as with any hair dye product), toner results are not guaranteed if not measured or applied accurately, and you may not like the look of your toned hair.
One of the methods I often use as a colorist for hair color correction or removal is a soap cap, also known as a bleach bath.
This technique is widely used for its ability to adjust hair color, especially when dealing with hair bleaching mishaps.
But will a soap cap remove a toner? Let’s dive into the details.
Understanding Soap Caps and Toners
Before discussing whether a soap cap can remove a toner, it’s essential to understand what each of these products entails.
Soap Cap:
A soap cap, or a bleach bath or color remover, is a mixture of shampoo, developer, and bleach or lightener.
It’s often used as a gentle method to lighten hair color or remove unwanted color discrepancies without the harshness of traditional bleach treatments.
Soap caps are typically diluted formulas offering more controlled lightening results than full-strength bleach applications.
Toner:
A toner is a hair color product used to neutralize or modify unwanted undertones, such as brassiness or yellow tones, and achieve a more desirable shade of color.
Toners come in various formulations and shades, with common types including ash, silver, pearl, and violet toners. So a toner is pretty much hair color.
The main difference is that toner is a deposit-only color, which means that it will not lighten your natural virgin hair, nor will it lighten your previously lightened hair.
Toner allows colorists to soften, enhance, or neutralize any tones that are in the hair.
For example, I would use an ash toner to neutralize any brassiness or even a gold toner to add warmth to the hair to create more of a sunkissed look.
Will a bleach wash remove toner?
Yes, a soap cap or bleach bath can remove or lighten toner from the hair. A toner is used to adjust the shade of bleached hair, often to remove unwanted brassy or yellow tones.
However, if the toner is too dark or the shade is wrong, a soap cap can help fade it. It’s particularly effective on semi-permanent toners designed to wash out over time.
What will remove toner from hair?
Several methods can help remove toner from hair or fix over-toned hair, depending on the type of toner used and the desired result.
If you decide to strip the toner from your hair, follow an in-depth haircare routine afterward to ensure no further damage occurs.
On the other hand, if the color of your hair isn’t bothering you too much, it’s probably best to just leave it in your hair and let it run its natural course.
Keep in mind that regardless of the method you use to correct or remove the toner, Time and patience are critical to the result.
Usually, toners fade over time, and depending on the product used and the frequency of washing, the process will be even quicker.
Here are some practical ways to remove toner from hair:
Clarifying Shampoo:
Clarifying or dandruff shampoos are specially formulated to remove product buildup, minerals, and impurities from the hair.
Due to its selenium sulfide content, it helps fade semi-permanent or demi-permanent hair color, including toners.
It is also used for mild cases, not extreme instances where your hair is lavender.
A toner will eventually fade, but a clarifying shampoo does help that process go a lot faster. Use two to three times in a row and follow up with a mask or deep conditioning.
About 60% of people with overtoned hair can fix this problem with just a clarifying shampoo.
Baking Soda Paste:
Baking soda acts as a natural exfoliant and can help lift pigments from the hair.
Mix baking soda with water to create a paste and apply it to damp hair, concentrating on the areas with toner.
Allow the paste to sit for 20-30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Baking soda is drying, so follow up with a moisturizing conditioner.
Chelate your hair:
Chelatinizing your hair basically involves using Dawn dish soap and lemon juice, shampooing that into your hair, rinsing that out, and finishing with a hydrating mask.
It removes a lot more buildup and goes deeper than what a clarifying shampoo does.
Color Remover:
A color remover or color corrector may be necessary if the toner is stubborn or deeply deposited into the hair shaft.
These products are specifically designed to break down and remove artificial hair color molecules and toners. You can find them in drugstores and online.
However, I do have to warn you that color remover contains a small amount of bleaching agents, so it will strip your hair a little bit.
So, you obviously have to outweigh the risks and ask if it is worth it. Is the color so horrific that you would risk a teeny bit of damage to get back your original color?
Color remover is a gamble you have to take. It will not cause excessive damage, like applying straight bleach to the hair.
But just know it is a little more invasive than chelating or using a clarifying shampoo on your hair. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
When it comes to toner removal and hair color adjustment, seeking professional assistance is superior, as it aligns with my approach when toning my hair.
Soap cap or bleach bath: it is used in extreme cases, like wrong color, over-processing color, or just any mistake with hair color or toner, not bleach.
Mix bleach, 10-volume developer, and clarifying shampoo, apply it to the area of the hair you need a balanced color, and voila—it should do the trick. How to make a bleach bath.
If it’s a toner problem, these methods will absolutely take care of it. If they don’t, then it’s not toner, and there’s something much deeper in the hair.
What to do if toner made my hair too dark?
If your hair toner is too dark, you can do the following:
1. Wash your hair with dandruff or clarifying shampoo, which will make the toner disappear each time you wash your hair with it.
2. Mix the hair toner with shampoo or conditioner and apply it to your hair.
3. Use baking soda or lemon juice to lighten hair toner.
Use a combination of ketchup, baking soda, and clarifying shampoo. This method is for extreme cases.
4. Use a color remover:
In some cases, darkened hair color naturally fades over time with regular washing and exposure to sunlight. Be patient and gentle with your hair.
Does salt water remove hair toner?
Salt water helps remove hair toner due to its clarifying properties.
However, the effectiveness of salt water in removing toner depends on several factors, including the type and formulation of the toner, the condition of your hair, and your hair care routine.
Individual hair texture, color, and sensitivity differences can also influence the outcome.
It is important to note that continuous exposure to salt water can strip hair of its natural oils, causing hair color and toner to fade faster and leaving hair feeling rough and dull.
To eliminate unwanted tones from your hair using salt water, mix 1 cup of warm water with 1/4 cup of salt. Apply the mixture to the toner-treated areas of your hair.
Leave it on for about 20 minutes before rinsing it with cool water.
To offset the potential dryness caused by salt water exposure, follow up with a nourishing deep conditioner.
How long does it take toner to get out of hair?
The duration of time it takes for toner to wash out of hair can vary, but generally, it fades over time and can last anywhere from three to six weeks.
It entirely depends on your lifestyle. So, if you are very active and frequently wash your hair, the toner will fade with each wash.
The longevity of the toner is also affected by sun exposure, water quality in your home, and the frequency of heat styling, which can accelerate hair’s lightening process.
Additionally, the type of toner used matters, as some are more permanent than others.
Why does my hair toner fade so fast?
Hair toner fading can occur due to several factors, such as
1. Hair Porosity: If your hair is highly porous, it will not hold onto toner as effectively, leading to faster fading. Porous hair tends to absorb and release color more readily.
2. Water Quality: Hard water contributes to toner fading. Consider using a clarifying shampoo or investing in a water softener to help maintain your toner’s longevity.
3. The quality and formulation of the toner product itself affect its longevity and resistance to fading.
Choose toners specifically formulated for your hair type and desired result.
4. Shampoo and Conditioner: Harsh shampoos and conditioners strip away toner. Opt for products specifically designed for color-treated hair.
5. Heat Styling: Frequent heat styling also contributes to toner fading.
The heat opens up the hair cuticle, allowing the toner to escape. Use heat protectants and minimize excessive styling.
6. Sun Exposure: UV rays break down toner molecules. Protect your hair by wearing hats or using UV-protective hair products when outdoors.
7. Incorporate color-refreshing treatments into your hair care routine to help extend the life of your toner between salon visits.
8. Swimming and Chlorine Exposure: Chlorine from swimming pools strips away toner from the hair, leading to fast fading.
Before swimming, wet your hair with clean water and apply a leave-in conditioner or protective hair oil to create a barrier between your hair and chlorine.
Alternatively, you can wear a shower cap.
How many washes does a toner last?
How many washes a toner lasts is not realistic because the quality of toner varies, as does the lifestyle of an individual.
However, bear in mind that the more often you wash your hair, the faster the toner fades.
How many washes to fix over-toned hair?
The number of washes needed to fix overtone hair varies from person to person. Still, generally, it may take anywhere from 3 to 10 washes to gradually fade overtone hair and restore it to the desired shade.
Conclusion
In conclusion, before opting for any of the above methods, understand the severity of the hair.
To prevent the negative consequences of specific toner removal methods, apply the toner briefly.
I always recommend five to 10 minutes for toners. Moreover, It’s essential to approach any color removal or correction treatments with caution and prioritize the health and integrity of your hair.
I always seek professional guidance regarding hair bleaching to ensure safe and satisfactory results.
