Green is a beautiful color that you can see everywhere. It’s a color you can choose for your hair but can also come unwanted when you least expect it. Whether you have red, brunette, or blonde hair, green tones can be challenging to deal with.
It is a good thing there are ways how to get green out of hair. Learn the steps in doing it, even when you’re just at home.
Why Your Colored Hair Turns Green
It’s important to understand why you get a green color on your colored hair. Green undertones are the result of oxidized mineral buildup in your hair. When chlorine or copper in the water touches the hair fibers, you get a green tint.
Usually, your locks get green when you have blonde hair. Blonde has a lighter base that makes the green tones more visible. But over-toned hair may also be at risk of turning green.
Here are some of the situations that lead to green hair:
1. Layering cool tones
Your hair gets visible green tones with excessive cool tones. This happens when cool-based colors are fully applied to your hair. Reduce the green tones by following the root touch-up applications when using cool hair colors. There’s no need to use permanent hair colors if you’re touching up the roots.
2. Swimming
The chlorine in swimming pool water gives a green tinge to your hair. Chlorine strips the sebum, which keeps your hair hydrated, from your hair and changes the hair color.
Ensure happy swimming without the green on your hair by:
- Washing your hair before swimming with tap water to minimize its ability to absorb pool chemicals like chlorine.
- Using a leave-in conditioner to protect hair from the pool water.
- Wearing a swimming cap to prevent chlorinated water from touching your hair.
- Rinsing your hair after swimming to wash away pool chemicals and residual chlorine.
- Exposing your hair to sunlight after swimming to neutralize the chlorine and avoid further damage to the hair.
3. Porous hair
This kind of condition on your hair happens due to your hair’s natural texture, repetitive coloring, and constant use of heat-styling tools. The most porous areas of your hair are at the ends. Since porous hair absorbs color faster, it results in greenish colors when you use an ashy tone.
How to Remove the Green Tone
Finding out that your hair turned green when you didn’t expect it could be your worst nightmare. Here are some tips for getting rid of the green tinge from your hair:
1. Use swimmer-friendly shampoos and conditioners.
Buy shampoos and conditioners that are formulated for swimmers. These products remove pool chemicals, neutralize green tones, and bring back moisture to your hair after swimming. Ingredients like Red Algae and Dead Sea Minerals are known to eliminate saltwater and chlorine from your hair.
2. Introduce warmer tones.
Warm tones are on the opposite side of the color wheel from the cool green tones. They can help balance and correct the green hues on your hair. Red can be your best bet if you’re looking for a warm tone. You can also use a purple shampoo to remove any greenish tint.
3. Use a clarifying shampoo once a week.
This kind of shampoo removes the buildup in your hair and prevents green tones brought by mineral accumulation. Look for a clarifying shampoo with strong surfactants to get the best results.
4. Trim the ends of your hair.
Your hair’s ends bear the burden of the green tones since they’re the most affected areas of coloring and heat styling. Trim these areas and avoid using heat-styling tools as much as possible.
5. Create a baking soda paste.
This simple and affordable remedy takes the unwanted green from your hair. Mix ¼ to ½ cups of baking soda with water. Apply the paste to the green areas of your hair and massage it for a few minutes. Rinse with shampoo and conditioner and repeat the process if you have to.
6. Use apple cider vinegar.
Here’s something quite surprising: apple cider vinegar helps remove green from your hair! Mix it with warm water, pour equal parts over your hair, and let it sit for a few minutes. Wash your hair thoroughly until there’s nothing left of the mixture.
7. Turn to lemon juice and Lemon Kool-Aid rinse.
Lemon juice may help remove the green tones in your hair with its natural bleaching properties. Apply the juice to your hair and leave it for 5-10 minutes. Follow your hair care routine as usual.
On the other hand, lemon Kool-Aid is a more convenient option. Just mix it with water and apply it to the green areas. Leave it on for 5 minutes, rinse thoroughly, and use shampoo and conditioner.
Use Toning Conditioners to Remove Any Unwanted Shade from Your Hair
Your chosen hair color shouldn’t have any other unwanted shade. Remove them with toning conditioners from your trusted hair care brand. These products make sure you can still enjoy the color you choose for your hair and keep it moisturized. They also don’t have any harsh chemicals in the ingredients, which is perfect for preserving the color and vibrancy of your hair.
Parting Thoughts
Having the right solutions to eliminate the green shades in your hair is the best way to restore its natural color. Understand why your hair turns green and put preventive measures into action.
Every hair has its unique characteristics. What works for you might not work for others, so it’s best to come up with multiple solutions. Consult your hair stylist when you’re unsure of what to do.
