Getting purple dye out of your hair can be challenging, especially if it’s a vibrant shade. Purple contains cool undertones that can penetrate the hair shaft, making it stubborn to remove. However, there are methods you can try at home to help fade and strip the purple pigment from your strands.
Clarifying Shampoo
Using a clarifying shampoo is a gentle way to help lift dye from your hair over time. Clarifying shampoos contain ingredients like sulfates that deeply cleanse the hair, removing buildup and residue from hair products. Using a clarifying shampoo 2-3 times per week can help strip some of the purple dye each time you wash.
Apply a palmful of clarifying shampoo to wet hair and massage it into your scalp. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. The longer you let the shampoo sit, the more dye it can draw out. Just be careful not to over-clarify, as this can dry out your strands.
Baking Soda
Making a baking soda paste and applying it to your hair is an effective way to lift dye. Baking soda is alkaline, which counteracts and fades the color molecules deposited in your hair from the purple dye. It also exfoliates the hair cuticles to help pull out the color.
Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with enough water to form a spreadable paste. Work the paste thoroughly into your dry hair from roots to ends until all your hair is coated. Allow the paste to sit for 5-15 minutes before rinsing out. For best results, use this treatment once a week.
Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Anti-dandruff shampoos contain zinc pyrithione, an ingredient that can help strip artificial dye. Using an anti-dandruff shampoo 2-3 times per week helps lift dye gradually each time you wash.
Lather the anti-dandruff shampoo into your hair and let it sit for 3-5 minutes before rinsing out. The zinc pyrithione will work to fade the vibrant purple shade with continued use.
Vitamin C Treatment
Crushing up vitamin C tablets into a paste and applying to your hair is a popular DIY method for dye removal. Vitamin C is highly acidic, so it works to oxidize the color molecules in the hair and reduce their intensity.
Crush 5-10 vitamin C tablets and mix with a small amount of water to form a thick paste. Apply this evenly to dry hair, coating every strand from root to tip. Allow it to process for 30-60 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
Color Remover
Using a hair color remover is one of the most effective ways to strip artificial dye from your strands. Color removers work by shrinking color molecules so they can be rinsed away. This draws out a high percentage of dye in just one treatment.
Apply the color remover evenly following the product directions. Most recommend leaving it on for about 20 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Be patient during processing; color removers need time to penetrate and interact with the dye.
Bleach Bath
Performing a bleach bath can quickly lighten your strands and help lift out the purple pigment. By diluting the bleach, you can achieve subtle lightening that targets the unwanted color. It’s best to have this done professionally to avoid damage.
A bleach bath typically uses a 10 or 20 volume bleach mixed in a 10:1 ratio with shampoo or conditioner. Your stylist will apply this to damp hair, monitoring development and evenly rinsing once your hair lightens a shade or two. It’s an aggressive treatment so your hair should be conditioned afterward.
Color Extraction
Salon color extraction treatments are the most effective way to remove stubborn or unwanted dye. They use an active agent that targets and eliminates the artificial color molecules in your hair.
The process involves thoroughly saturating your hair with the removal solution and processing under heat for up to 45 minutes. Most salons will then tone your hair to counteract any remaining brassy shades left behind so you’re left with clean, even color.
How Long Does it Take to Remove Purple Hair Dye?
How long it takes to remove purple hair dye depends on several factors:
| Factor | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Vibrancy of dye | Vibrant purple fades slower than pastel purple |
| Color line | Salon brands fade slower than box dyes |
| Hair color | Lighter hair shows fading faster |
| Removal method | Bleaching works quickly, shampooing fades gradually |
| Frequency of removal | Consistent removal speeds up the process |
On average, you can expect purple hair dye to fade significantly after 4-6 weeks of regular removal treatments. For long-lasting salon dyes or vivid shades, it make take 8-12 weeks to completely strip the color.
Maintenance Tips Between Removal Sessions
Here are some tips for maintaining your hair in between removal sessions:
- Use dry shampoo to absorb oil and prolong time between washes
- Wash with cool water to preserve dye
- Use sulfate-free shampoo to limit fading
- Apply hair masks to condition and prevent dryness
- Avoid chlorine from pools, which can interact with dye
- Don’t wash every day so the color has time to settle
What Happens if You Can’t Get All the Purple Out?
If your hair still has residual purple tones after removal attempts, don’t worry. There are still options to get your hair to a more desirable shade:
- Tone: Use a toner or glaze to counteract the purple and neutralize the color. Blue-violet toner can cancel unwanted warmth.
- Dye: Apply a new semi-permanent hair color closer to your natural shade.
- Highlights: Get subtle highlights placed to help blend the purple into your hair.
- Cut: In some cases, the only option may be to cut off the overly-purple lengths.
Conclusion
Removing purple hair dye requires patience, persistence, and the right techniques tailored to your hair’s needs. Start with gentle clarifying methods done consistently over time. If you need faster results, use a remover or bleach bath to quickly lift the color. Protect hair health with conditioning treatments. With the right process, you can successfully fade or strip purple dye to transition your strands to a new look.