Why Toner Turns Hair Grey and How to Fix It

Toners are amazing hair products for correcting your hair color hue. But sometimes, toner turns hair grey, especially for those with blonde hair.

If toner turns your hair grey, it isn’t permanent, but there are some ways to get your hair back to normal that don’t involve damaging your hair further.

Most people use toner to eliminate brassy, yellow, or orange tones. Blondes (natural and color-treated) may use purple shampoo, while brunettes stick to blue hues to tone hair at home.

Toner is an effective product for most applications, but if toner turned your hair grey and you want to fix it, read on.

Why Does Hair Turn Grey After Toning?

Toning is not overly complicated, but it is surprisingly easy to mess up. As a result, we recommend getting a professional hairdresser to apply toner to your hair.

If you apply toner yourself, you may mess up how much toner needs to be on your hair.

Porous (bleached) hair can also turn grey because it soaks up cool, ashy pigments very quickly. This can make the result look grey or muddy, even if the toner is “right” on the box.

Your hair can also turn grey if you leave toning shampoos and conditioners on your hair too long. This happens because the toner is working longer than needed.

Your toner may also turn your hair grey if you apply too much product. If you notice a grey tinge or your hair turns completely grey, it can mean the toner sat too long, grabbed too fast, or was applied too heavily.

If this happens, you may want to remove the excess tone so that you are not stuck with grey hair for several weeks. Fortunately, there are a few options available to you.

Toner Turned My Hair Grey, How Can I Fix It?

You may want to call your stylist the second you notice your hair is grey after a toning treatment.

But before hitting speed dial, check out the options below to reduce the grey tones at home.

1. Wash-Out Method – Best & Easiest Option

If your hair looks grey after using toner, wait it out as long as possible. You will get back the hue you had before toning after a few washes and rinses, and this method doesn’t require you to apply products or chemicals to your tresses (so no damage!).

However, you may not have time to wait a few days or weeks for your hair to return to its typical state. If you have a wedding or other significant event, there are ways to reduce the grey tones fast.

2. The Clarifying Shampoo Method – Best Quick Solution

You can use a clarifying shampoo to help remove excess toner in your hair. As the name suggests, clarifying shampoo helps rinse away buildup, dead skin, and product residue from hair.

Some clarifying shampoos are stronger than others, so use caution and do not use them for more than a few days.

Clarifying shampoos can be drying because they remove oils along with buildup. Follow up with a rich conditioner or mask to help prevent dryness.

To use a clarifying shampoo:

1. Wet your hair with warm water.
2. Squeeze a standard amount of shampoo into your hands and apply it to your hair from roots to ends.
3. Scrub your hair thoroughly and let the lather sit.
4. After three minutes, rinse your hair and repeat the process if needed. The number of times you repeat depends on how grey your hair looks.

Once you finish, apply conditioner before rinsing again and exiting the shower. Apply a leave-in conditioner to help prevent dehydration.

3. Anti-Dandruff Shampoo – Best for Scalp Health

Even if you don’t have dandruff, an anti-dandruff shampoo can help remove toner from your hair.

These shampoos are made to lift flakes and product buildup. For general scalp guidance, see the American Academy of Dermatology tips on treating dandruff.

Applying an anti-dandruff shampoo to your over-toned hair can help lift excess pigment and leave your color looking fresher. Your scalp may also feel cleaner if you have buildup.

4. Vitamin C Treatment – Best for Lifting Surface Toner

If you want another option that avoids harsh abrasives, a Vitamin C wash may help lift excess surface toner. Vitamin C is also called ascorbic acid.

To try a Vitamin C wash:

1. Mix a small amount of Vitamin C powder with your regular shampoo until it forms a paste.
2. Apply to damp hair and work it through evenly.
3. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse well.
4. Follow immediately with a deep conditioning mask.

This method can still be drying on bleached hair, so do not overdo it. If your scalp is irritated, skip this and use the wash-out or clarifying method instead.

5. Sulfate Shampoo Method – Best in a Pinch

Alternatively, if you have no clarifying shampoo, you can use shampoo with sulfates to help fade excess toner.

Unfortunately, this method may dry your hair, but sulfate shampoos are easy to find and may cost less than clarifying shampoos.

Shampoo with sulfates may fade the grey tone in your hair. You will likely need to apply the shampoo for a few consecutive washes.

Note that sulfates can be drying on color-treated hair, so follow up with a deep conditioning mask immediately.

If you want to try the sulfate shampoo method:

1. Apply the shampoo to your hair from roots to ends.
2. Rub the product around your entire head to create a lather.
3. Rinse and add a moisturizing conditioner. Leave the conditioner in your hair for a few minutes before rinsing to give your tresses a moisture boost.

Keep an eye on your hair for dryness, and apply an oil or serum to your ends if necessary.

Can a Warm Rinse Help Reduce Ashy, Grey Tones?

If your hair looks too cool or ashy, you do not want to add more purple pigment. Instead, focus on removing some of the excess toner with a clarifying wash, or balancing the tone with warmth.

Some people find that a warm rinse or a gold-based conditioner helps shift the tone away from grey. Basic color theory applies here: yellow can help neutralize purple tones.

Conclusion

You most likely apply toner or toning products to eliminate brassy tones in your hair. No matter what product you use, your hair can look grey after toning, especially if it is porous or the toner sits too long.

While your hair may not be turning grey from age or natural causes, it can still cause panic after leaving the salon (or at home).

If you want to ensure your color stays toned but not overly so, avoid applying too much toner or leaving it on for extended periods.

FAQs

Even though you have read through 5 effective methods of removing toner from your hair, you might still have a few questions. Here we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions regarding toner turning hair grey.