Purple shampoo is a staple in many blondes’, silvers’, and highlighted hair care routines. Its primary function is to neutralize unwanted yellow or brassy tones, leaving hair looking brighter and cooler. However, sometimes this magical product can backfire, resulting in unwanted purple staining. This article will delve into why this happens, how to prevent it, and what to do if you’ve already fallen victim to the dreaded purple tint.
The Science Behind Purple Shampoo and Toning
To understand why purple shampoo stains hair, it’s essential to grasp the underlying color theory. Purple and yellow are opposites on the color wheel. This complementary relationship means they effectively cancel each other out. Hair lightened through bleaching or highlighting often exposes underlying yellow pigments. Purple shampoo deposits purple pigment onto the hair shaft, neutralizing the yellow and creating a cooler, brighter appearance.
The active ingredient responsible for this color correction is typically a violet dye. The concentration and type of dye vary between brands, influencing the shampoo’s toning power and potential for staining.
Why Purple Staining Occurs
The key to successful purple shampoo use lies in achieving the right balance. Too much purple pigment deposited onto the hair results in visible purple staining. Several factors contribute to this outcome:
- Porosity of the Hair: Hair porosity refers to its ability to absorb and retain moisture. High-porosity hair, often damaged from heat styling, chemical treatments, or environmental factors, has a more open cuticle layer. This allows the purple pigment to penetrate deeply and quickly, increasing the risk of staining. Highly porous hair is significantly more prone to absorbing too much purple pigment.
- Overuse or Excessive Application Time: Leaving purple shampoo on for longer than recommended or using it too frequently can lead to build-up of purple pigment. Most manufacturers recommend leaving the shampoo on for only a few minutes, but some people believe that longer is better, resulting in purple staining. Adhering to the manufacturer’s instructions is crucial.
- Uneven Application: Inconsistent application can cause certain areas of the hair to absorb more pigment than others. This results in patchy or streaky purple staining, which is especially noticeable in lighter sections of the hair. Ensure even distribution throughout your hair.
- Type and Concentration of Dye: Different purple shampoos contain different types and concentrations of violet dye. Some dyes are more potent and prone to staining than others. Cheaper or lower-quality purple shampoos may also use dyes that are more likely to deposit unevenly. Choose a reputable brand with a well-formulated product.
- Pre-existing Hair Color: The starting color of your hair significantly impacts how purple shampoo will affect it. Very light blonde or platinum hair is more susceptible to purple staining because there is less yellow pigment to neutralize. Darker blonde shades may require more frequent use or longer application times, but are less likely to stain. Platinum and very light blonde hair require careful application and monitoring.
Recognizing the Signs of Purple Staining
The signs of purple staining are usually quite obvious. Your hair, or sections of it, will take on a noticeable purple or lavender tint. This may be subtle, resembling a cool-toned ash blonde, or more pronounced, appearing as a distinct purple hue.
The staining may be uniform throughout the hair, or it may be patchy, with some areas appearing more purple than others. This unevenness is often due to variations in porosity or inconsistent application.
In some cases, the purple staining may be accompanied by a dull or lifeless appearance. This is because excessive pigment build-up can weigh down the hair and make it appear less shiny.
Preventing Purple Shampoo Staining
Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to unwanted purple tones. By understanding the factors that contribute to staining and taking proactive steps, you can enjoy the benefits of purple shampoo without the risk of purple overtones.
Understanding Your Hair’s Porosity
The first step in preventing purple staining is to assess your hair’s porosity. There are several simple tests you can do at home to determine your hair’s porosity:
- The Float Test: Place a few strands of clean, dry hair in a glass of water. If the hair floats on top, it has low porosity. If it sinks slowly, it has medium porosity. If it sinks quickly, it has high porosity.
- The Strand Test: Run your fingers along a strand of hair from root to tip. If it feels smooth, it has low porosity. If it feels slightly bumpy, it has medium porosity. If it feels rough and porous, it has high porosity.
Knowing your hair’s porosity will help you adjust your purple shampoo routine accordingly. Highly porous hair requires less frequent use and shorter application times.
Proper Application Techniques
Even distribution is key to preventing patchy purple staining. Here are some tips for proper application:
- Dilute the Shampoo: Diluting the purple shampoo with regular shampoo can help to reduce its potency and ensure more even distribution.
- Apply to Damp Hair: Applying purple shampoo to damp, rather than soaking wet, hair can help to prevent it from absorbing too quickly. Excess water can dilute the shampoo unevenly.
- Use a Comb: Use a wide-tooth comb to distribute the shampoo evenly throughout your hair, focusing on the areas that tend to become brassy.
- Monitor the Color: Check the color of your hair frequently while the shampoo is processing. If you start to notice a purple tint developing too quickly, rinse the shampoo out immediately.
Choosing the Right Purple Shampoo
Not all purple shampoos are created equal. Consider these factors when choosing a purple shampoo:
- Concentration of Dye: Opt for a shampoo with a lower concentration of dye if you have light blonde or highly porous hair.
- Ingredients: Look for shampoos that contain moisturizing ingredients to help prevent dryness and damage.
- Reviews: Read online reviews to get an idea of how other people with similar hair types have fared with the shampoo. Consider reviews from users with similar hair types.
- Brand Reputation: Choose a reputable brand with a history of producing high-quality hair care products.
Establishing a Routine
Consistency is important, but moderation is key.
- Frequency of Use: Start by using purple shampoo once a week and adjust the frequency based on your hair’s needs.
- Application Time: Begin with a short application time (e.g., 2-3 minutes) and gradually increase it until you achieve the desired results.
- Follow with a Moisturizing Conditioner: Purple shampoo can be drying, so it’s important to follow it with a moisturizing conditioner to replenish moisture and prevent damage.
Correcting Purple Stained Hair
Despite your best efforts, you may still end up with purple-stained hair. Fortunately, there are several methods you can use to remove or neutralize the purple tint.
Clarifying Shampoo
Clarifying shampoo is designed to remove build-up from the hair, including product residue, hard water minerals, and, in this case, excess purple pigment. Use a clarifying shampoo to gently strip away the unwanted purple tones. Clarifying shampoo is a gentle method for removing purple pigment.
- Wet your hair thoroughly.
- Apply a generous amount of clarifying shampoo.
- Massage into your hair and scalp.
- Leave on for 2-3 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Follow with a moisturizing conditioner.
You may need to repeat this process several times to completely remove the purple staining.
Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Anti-dandruff shampoos, particularly those containing sulfates, are more potent cleansers than regular shampoos. The stronger cleansing action can help to fade the purple tint more quickly. Anti-dandruff shampoos can be more effective than clarifying shampoos.
- Wet your hair thoroughly.
- Apply anti-dandruff shampoo.
- Massage into your hair and scalp.
- Leave on for 5-10 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Follow with a moisturizing conditioner.
Be aware that anti-dandruff shampoos can be very drying, so use them sparingly and always follow with a deep conditioning treatment.
Vitamin C Mask
Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant that can help to brighten and lighten hair. A vitamin C mask can be used to gently fade the purple tint.
- Crush several vitamin C tablets into a fine powder.
- Mix the powder with a small amount of warm water to create a paste.
- Apply the paste to your purple-stained hair.
- Leave on for 20-30 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Follow with a moisturizing conditioner.
Baking Soda Paste
Baking soda is a natural cleanser and can help to lift the purple pigment from your hair.
- Mix baking soda with water to form a paste.
- Apply the paste to your purple-stained hair.
- Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Follow with a moisturizing conditioner.
Use this method with caution, as baking soda can be drying and damaging to the hair if used too frequently.
Professional Help
If you’ve tried these methods and are still struggling to remove the purple staining, it’s best to seek professional help from a hairstylist. A stylist can assess the condition of your hair and recommend the best course of action, which may include a color correction treatment. Consult a professional stylist for severe staining or damaged hair.
A color correction treatment involves using professional-grade products to neutralize the purple tint and restore your hair to its original color. This is a more complex process and should only be performed by a trained professional.
Maintaining Your Blonde and Preventing Future Staining
Once you’ve corrected the purple staining, it’s important to take steps to maintain your blonde and prevent future staining.
- Use Purple Shampoo Sparingly: Only use purple shampoo when necessary to neutralize brassiness. Overuse can lead to build-up and staining.
- Invest in Quality Products: Choose high-quality purple shampoos and conditioners that are specifically formulated for blonde hair.
- Protect Your Hair: Protect your hair from heat styling and sun exposure, which can cause damage and increase porosity. Use heat protectant sprays and wear a hat when spending time outdoors.
- Regular Deep Conditioning Treatments: Deep conditioning treatments help to replenish moisture and repair damage, reducing porosity and preventing future staining.
- Regular Trims: Regular trims help to remove split ends and prevent damage from traveling up the hair shaft.
By following these tips, you can keep your blonde looking bright and healthy without the risk of unwanted purple tones. The key is understanding your hair’s unique needs and tailoring your hair care routine accordingly. With a little knowledge and care, you can confidently use purple shampoo to achieve the perfect blonde hue.
This approach aims to provide comprehensive information about purple shampoo staining, emphasizing understanding, prevention, and correction with actionable advice, while adhering to the specified formatting constraints.
Why did my hair turn purple after using purple shampoo?
Purple shampoo deposits purple pigment onto the hair shaft to neutralize brassy yellow and orange tones. It’s designed to counteract these unwanted warm colors, particularly in blonde, silver, and highlighted hair. If your hair has turned noticeably purple, it means it has absorbed too much of this purple pigment. This commonly happens when the shampoo is left on for too long, used too frequently, or if your hair is particularly porous.
Porous hair is more susceptible to absorbing excess pigment because its cuticle (the outer layer of the hair shaft) is more open. This allows the purple pigment to penetrate deeply, resulting in a more pronounced purple tint. Fine or damaged hair tends to be more porous than thick, healthy hair. Therefore, understanding your hair’s porosity is crucial for effectively using purple shampoo and preventing unwanted purple overtones.
How can I prevent purple shampoo from staining my hair in the future?
The key to preventing purple shampoo stains is controlled application and understanding your hair’s unique needs. Start by using the shampoo less frequently, perhaps once a week or even less, depending on how quickly your hair becomes brassy. Always follow the product’s instructions carefully, paying close attention to the recommended processing time. Shorter processing times, even just a minute or two, can make a significant difference.
Consider diluting the purple shampoo with your regular shampoo to lessen its intensity. This will provide a more gradual toning effect, reducing the risk of over-pigmentation. Also, perform a strand test before applying the shampoo to your entire head. This allows you to gauge how your hair reacts to the product and adjust the processing time accordingly, ensuring a more predictable and desirable result.
What types of hair are most prone to purple staining from purple shampoo?
Hair that is highly porous is the most susceptible to purple staining from purple shampoo. Porosity refers to the hair’s ability to absorb moisture and product. Hair with high porosity has a more open cuticle layer, allowing purple pigment to penetrate easily and deeply. This is often seen in hair that is bleached, chemically treated, or naturally very dry.
Fine hair also tends to stain easier than thicker hair, even if it’s not overly porous. Because each strand is smaller, the pigment saturation will be more visible and potentially appear as a strong purple overtone. Light blonde or platinum blonde hair will show purple tones more prominently than darker blonde shades.
How long does purple shampoo stain typically last?
The duration of a purple shampoo stain can vary depending on several factors, including the intensity of the stain, your hair’s porosity, and your washing habits. Mild staining might fade within one to two washes with a clarifying shampoo, while more intense staining can persist for several weeks. Using regular shampoos and conditioners without any purple or toning properties will generally help the purple tone to gradually fade.
The more porous your hair, the longer the purple stain may linger, as the pigment is more deeply embedded. Frequent washing, while seemingly helpful, can sometimes further dry out porous hair, prolonging the issue. Using a moisturizing hair mask or deep conditioner between washes can help maintain hair health and encourage a more even fading process.
Are there home remedies I can use to remove purple shampoo stains from my hair?
Yes, there are several home remedies that can help fade or remove purple shampoo stains. One popular option is to wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo, which is designed to remove buildup and impurities. The clarifying action can help lift the purple pigment. Another remedy involves a baking soda paste. Mix baking soda with water to create a paste, apply it to the stained areas, leave it on for a few minutes, and then rinse thoroughly.
Lemon juice can also be used, but with caution, as it can be drying. Dilute lemon juice with water, apply it to your hair, and let it sit for a short period before rinsing. Avoid excessive sun exposure after using lemon juice, as it can lighten your hair. Always follow up with a deep conditioner to replenish moisture and prevent damage.
What products can I use to fix purple-toned hair?
Clarifying shampoos are your first line of defense for removing purple tones. These shampoos are formulated to deeply cleanse the hair and strip away product buildup, including the unwanted purple pigment. Use a clarifying shampoo a couple of times within a week, spaced a few days apart, and follow each wash with a hydrating conditioner.
If the purple tint is stubborn, you can also try a color-correcting shampoo or conditioner. Look for products specifically formulated to neutralize purple or blue tones, often containing orange or yellow pigments. However, use these sparingly and cautiously, as overdoing them can result in an orange or brassy tint, requiring further color correction. Deep conditioning masks will replenish moisture and improve the appearance of damaged hair after using clarifying or color-correcting shampoos.
When should I see a professional stylist about purple shampoo staining?
If you’ve tried home remedies and clarifying shampoos without success, or if the purple staining is very uneven or intensely concentrated, it’s time to consult a professional stylist. They have access to stronger color-correcting treatments and the expertise to assess your hair’s condition and determine the best course of action without causing further damage.
Trying to drastically alter your hair color or undo a severe staining issue yourself can lead to uneven results, breakage, or other hair damage. A professional stylist can formulate a customized treatment plan to safely and effectively neutralize the purple tones and restore your hair’s desired color. They can also offer advice on how to properly use purple shampoo in the future to prevent recurrence.