Have you ever applied one color to your hair only to have it come out with an entirely different hue? If you dyed your hair gray, but it turned purple, you probably feel a bit panicked and need a fast fix.
An unwanted purple tint can sometimes fade or be corrected, but avoid rushing into another chemical treatment. Repeated bleaching or dyeing can cause lasting damage, especially if your hair is already fragile.
Why Did My Hair Turn Purple After I Dyed It Gray?
Your hair turned purple instead of gray for one of four reasons. Either your hair absorbed too much violet pigment because it was porous, it had too little yellow left to balance the dye’s violet pigment, the box dye was bad, or you’ve overused purple shampoo.
Dyeing hair gray or silver is a tricky process that requires significant preparation. Getting the right gray or silver shade depends on your starting hair color, hair porosity, and the pigments in your dye or toner. Purple tones can appear when more violet pigment is deposited than the hair needs.
Hair Is Highly Porous
Bleached or chemically processed hair can become more porous and absorb color unevenly. If gray dye or toner contains violet pigment, highly porous strands may absorb too much, leaving a purple tint instead of the intended gray shade. Additional bleaching is not an appropriate fix for this problem.
Too Little Yellow Pigment
Another reason is not having enough yellow pigment left in the strands. Gray dye leans on violet pigment to cancel yellow, so when there is too little yellow left to cancel, the leftover violet shows as a purplish color; it’s the opposite on the color wheel.
This issue could be due to your hair’s natural pigmentation or the result of bleaching and toning.
Using Old or Damaged Dye
Since gray is a touchy color, you need a quality hair dye to do the job correctly. Using an old or expired box of dye or one exposed to heat and light for too long could also cause a reaction resulting in an unexpected hue like purple.
Overuse of Purple Shampoo
The purple pigment in purple shampoo can neutralize brassy hair. However, too much purple shampoo can stain gray hair by giving it too much pigment, resulting in darker, purple hair.
How to Fix Hair That Turned Purple After Dyeing Gray
If your hair turned purple instead of gray, there are several ways to address the unwanted tint. The best approach depends on what caused the color change and the condition of your hair. Some cases may improve with gentle cleansing, while others require professional color correction.
Before using another hair dye, follow the product’s instructions and perform the recommended skin allergy test every time. FDA also advises waiting at least 14 days after bleaching, relaxing, or perming your hair before using hair dye.
Use Color Remover
A color remover can be an effective alternative to remove the unwanted color without excessive damage, though it cannot bring back natural color that bleach has removed. These products work by stripping away excess pigment from dyed strands.
However, keep in mind that these are strong chemicals and should only be used as directed on their packaging – otherwise, they could cause severe damage to your locks.
Additionally, color removers may not completely remove all traces of purple if there was already some present before dyeing it gray.
Re-Dye Your Hair
Re-dyeing isn’t always the best solution when gray hair turns purple. If the unwanted color comes from excess toner or purple shampoo, applying more dye could make the correction harder. It’s important to identify the likely cause and assess your hair’s condition before coloring it again.
A darker shade may cover the purple tint, but it will also change your intended gray color. A lighter box dye won’t reliably remove excess violet pigment. If the purple comes from permanent dye or doesn’t fade, consult a professional colorist before attempting another chemical treatment.
Before applying the new shade, read and strictly adhere to all directions on the package for the best results. It’s also an excellent idea to do a strand test to see what it will look like.
Don’t automatically apply another toner after re-dyeing your hair. Toner should only be used when there’s a specific unwanted tone to correct. Adding unnecessary violet or blue pigment could create another unwanted color cast. Choose maintenance products suited to your corrected hair color.
Try A Clarifying Shampoo
To use this method effectively, start by wetting your locks thoroughly before massaging in some clarifying shampoo until lather forms evenly throughout the hair (avoid getting any near your eyes).
Follow the clarifying shampoo’s label instructions for application and rinsing time. Rinse thoroughly and apply conditioner afterward. Avoid repeatedly using a strong clarifying shampoo if your hair is dry, brittle, or recently bleached.
Clarifying shampoo may help fade a mild purple tint caused by excess purple shampoo or some temporary color deposits. However, it won’t reliably remove permanent dye, and repeated use can dry out your hair. If the purple tint persists, consult a colorist before trying stronger chemical treatments.
To reduce the risk of unwanted purple tones, do a strand test before coloring your hair to preview the result. If you use purple shampoo, follow the product directions and adjust how often you use it based on your hair color and porosity.
Head to the Salon
When in doubt, head to a professional if you’re afraid to damage your hair too much.
A professional hairstylist is your best chance to get the color you want without harming your hair. They have the knowledge and experience to correct your color and help you get the desired look without frying your locks.
Does Purple or Blue Toning Shampoo Make Gray Hair Purple?
If you’re wondering if purple or blue toning shampoo can make gray hair purple, the answer is both yes and no.
Ultimately, whether purple or blue toning shampoo makes gray hair purple depends on several factors, including the type of product used and how long it stays in contact with the hair before being washed out completely.
Permanent Dye
Using an ash-toned permanent dye doesn’t guarantee that your hair won’t turn purple after toning. A purple toning shampoo can still leave an unwanted violet tint if too much pigment builds up, especially on very light or porous hair. Always follow the recommended processing time for each product to minimize the risk of hair damage.
Semi-Permanent Dye
Semi-permanent dye and toning shampoo can leave a purple tint if both products deposit violet pigment, particularly on very light or porous hair. The result depends on the formulas used, application time, and how much pigment the hair absorbs.
Not all semi-permanent dyes contain violet pigment. However, some cool-toned gray formulas do, and combining them with purple shampoo or another violet toner can deposit more pigment than intended, leaving a lavender or purple cast.
Thus, be mindful of both these components when picking which one to utilize. Getting hair to a true gray tone is color theory at its most advanced, genuinely beyond basic box-dye territory, so when in doubt, put it in a colorist’s hands rather than risk lasting harm.
