So, being the nerd that I am, I don't go to the beach very much. In fact, I've recently been for the first time in like 5 years or so.

I went into the water with a dark blue and came out with blue dripping down my sides like I was a gatorade commercial. It took about 7 minutes before the water had sucked out all that it could and I stopped leaking blue. To give you an idea of the lift, I was able to throw in some extra yellow back at home and get a decent medium green.

It got me thinking, could saltwater be used to effectively suck out excess haircolor in case one wanted to go (for example) to lighter without bleaching?

I tried filling a sink with warm water, stirring in some salt and seeing how much I could get out. Aside from being a little awkward to position, I was actually able to get the water fairly dark, but it wasn't nearly as effective.

On the other hand, I hear that vinegar and salt in cold water is really good for setting a dye.

Anyone had any experience with saltwater draining/helping semi-permanent color or have any ideas about how the intentional effect could be intensified?

Out of interest, what blue did you use?

I've had good results with bath (epsom) salts. I think it's lifted about 2 levels of an already faded colour a few times before. I didn't use a lot in the bath either. You could probably get a better lift with a higher concentration.

As I'm sure will be pretty unsurprising, it was MP's After Midnight Blue. I use it a lot because I can dilute it down and usually still get a decently bright color.

I tried with a little salt and a lot of salt, and certainly more salt helps. I do wonder whether there's a point at which saturating the water with salt will begin to hurt rather than help the water's ability to pull dye.

Also, I guess it's worth noting that salt water does dry out hair, but it's still almost entirely non-damaging.

In my experience MP After Midnight Blue runs whenever it gets wet. I've had it in my hair for a few weeks, and it hasn't really faded, but it runs down my skin everytime I shower. Very annoying. But yeah, MP dyes fade pretty fast.

I know that salt pulls color out through osmosis or reverse osmosis or something like that. Meaning the salt absorbs the liquids, dyes, whatever else. Thats why salt water has the tendency to dry out your hair and skin.

or just stick your head in the ocean again ;)

anyway that's good to know; i never go to the beach either... maybe i'll go the next time i need to fade my hair color!

also, aftermidnight blue is my faaaaaaaaaavorite color ever, of all the colors i've dyed my hair.