Professional hair colour over box dye?

[RhubarbAndMustard]

I don't usually use a hair salon due to not really being able to afford it in the past. I've been using box dye hair colour for a few years (usually a light golden brown shade) to hide the greys, but think I probably need to go lighter or at least get a better job done on it now the greys are getting more. I'm also increasingly unhappy with the shade I get.

My question is - can I get a professional hair colour over a box dye? I think I read somewhere that hairdressers hate this request so would be good to know what I'm walking into. My hair is below shoulder, so I really don't want to grow out the dye first. Will they need to strip the box colour off first?

Any advice gratefully received for this hair novice!

You probably need a bleach bath (which does your hair no good) at the hairdressers to get rid of the box dye and yes, hairdressers hate box dye because it's so difficult to remove.
I've used Colourless hair dye remover, Boots and Superdrug sell it, I've used it on black and burgundy box dye, it strips the colour out of your hair and surprisingly doesn't ruin your hair.
It's less than a tenner, I'd definitely recommend it

Please don't use these then go to the hairdressers OP, you'll end up with patchy hair and give your hairdresser a more difficult job.
Some highlights and a base colour will disguise the greys, a decent hairdresser will sort you out no problem! A light brown box dye isn't as stubborn as dark brown/black/red.

Thanks @Neurotic90 ! I was slightly concerned about the idea of a bleach bath!
Went to the hairdressers today and they said similar to you. They've taken some hair to test the colour reaction, I'm popping back tomorrow to check I'm happy and then they'll match the colour I have with some lighter highlights to disguise the greys as they come through. Very happy with this!

Oh god my hairdresser is on maternity and I threw a box dye on last weekend as had an event. My hair is destroyed, it's a weird golden colour and I am so annoyed with myself. Even my kids keep saying your hair is weird Going to whack 'colour before' on and hope for the best. That stuff used to save my hair when I went through a rainbow box dye phase. Although this was 10 years ago, knowing my luck they won't even make the stuff anymore!

@golddustwomen I always find the colour on a box dye starts off dark and then washes out to a good colour. The hairdresser was actually impressed with the colour I've got now but it has been on a month or so.
But if you're used to a professional dye I can't imagine it would in any way compare.

I've had professional colour over box dye and never had any complaints. Depends on your hairdresser but they might charge you more for a colour correction.
Professional dye all the time gets so expensive, If you're looking for a good home dye thr John Frieda mousse one is the best I've found.