How to Get Purple Tones Out of Hair

Whether you’ve dyed your hair purple for a special occasion or as a bold statement, there may come a time when you want to remove those vibrant tones. Purple hair can be fun, but it can also be challenging to maintain and may not suit everyone’s skin tone or lifestyle. Here’s a detailed guide on how to get purple tones out of your hair, ensuring a smooth and effective process.

Understanding the Color Process

Before diving into the removal process, it’s important to understand how purple tones are achieved in hair. Typically, purple hair is a result of a semi-permanent or permanent dye. Semi-permanent dyes wash out over time, while permanent dyes are more resistant and require a chemical process to remove.

Permanent dyes contain ammonia, which opens up the hair cuticles to allow the color to penetrate. This same ammonia is also used in the removal process, making it a harsher method. Semi-permanent dyes, on the other hand, can be lifted with a clarifying shampoo or a color-depositing product.

Removing Purple Tones with Clarifying Shampoo

For those who have used a semi-permanent purple dye, clarifying shampoo can be a great option. These shampoos are designed to strip away excess product and buildup, which can help lighten the purple tones.

Here’s how to use clarifying shampoo to remove purple tones:

Wash your hair with a regular shampoo to remove any product buildup.
Apply a generous amount of clarifying shampoo to your wet hair.
Massage the shampoo into your hair, focusing on the roots and ends.
Rinse thoroughly with cool water to close the hair cuticles and lock in the color.
Repeat the process two to three times a week until the purple tones fade.

Using Color-Depositing Products

Color-depositing products are another option for those with semi-permanent purple hair. These products contain pigments that can neutralize unwanted tones and deposit a new color, effectively lightening the purple tones.

Here’s how to use color-depositing products to remove purple tones:

Choose a color-depositing product that is a few shades lighter than your natural hair color.
Apply the product to your wet hair, focusing on the roots and ends.
Leave the product on for the recommended time, usually 5-10 minutes.
Rinse thoroughly with cool water.
Repeat the process every 2-3 weeks until the purple tones are gone.

Removing Permanent Purple Dye

For those with permanent purple dye, the process is a bit more complex and may require a professional hair stylist. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to remove permanent purple dye at home:

Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove any product buildup.
Apply a color-depositing product that is a few shades lighter than your natural hair color.
Leave the product on for the recommended time, usually 5-10 minutes.
Rinse thoroughly with cool water.
Repeat steps 2-5 until the purple tones are significantly lighter.
Apply a deep conditioning treatment to nourish your hair and prevent damage.
Visit a professional hair stylist for a bleaching and toning service to completely remove the purple tones.

Preventing Future Color Accidents

Now that you’ve successfully removed the purple tones from your hair, it’s important to take steps to prevent future color accidents. Here are some tips:

Always perform a patch test before applying a new hair dye to ensure you’re not allergic to the chemicals.
Use a quality hair dye that is designed for your hair type and color.
Follow the instructions on the hair dye package carefully.
Use a conditioning treatment after dyeing your hair to help maintain the color and prevent fading.

By following these steps, you can effectively remove purple tones from your hair and maintain a healthy, vibrant look.