[chameleonmary]

I have had to go from black to light brown after similar problems to you... I must say, stripping will be the most effective thing to remove the colour, but you are left with a lot of damage afterwards... in fact, many hairdressers I asked flat out refused to strip my hair, and it has always been in decent condition!

I lightened my hair gradually, which was a little frustrating... I got highlights done all over the hair, then another set of highlights all over a few weeks later... it gradually lightened to the point where I could colour it medium brown with little black undertones. Thats what I would do again, if your only frustration is the obvious roots, I wouldn't rush it!