Unwanted green hues in your hair could be due to swimming pools, hard water, or certain hair dyes. Don’t worry if you find yourself in this situation – there are effective, safe ways to get rid of the green color without damaging your hair. We’ll examine the reasons behind green hair and provide practical ways to restore your natural color.
Why Hair Turns Green
- Chlorine: Exposure to chlorine, primarily from swimming pools, is a typical cause of green hair. Chlorine sticks to the hair, leading to a green color over time, particularly noticeable in blond or light-colored hair.
- Hard Water: Hard water has minerals like copper, iron, and magnesium, which can accumulate in your hair, imparting it a greenish shade.
- Hair Dye: Using particular hair dyes, particularly green, blue, or teal, can leave a persistent green hue even after attempting to remove the dye.
Method 1: Tomato Juice
Tomato juice is an effortless, natural remedy for green hair. The red pigment in tomatoes can balance the green color, and the acidity helps clear mineral buildup. Here’s how:
- Select a tomato juice or paste without additional sugar or ingredients.
- Spread the tomato juice or paste on your damp hair, covering all green parts.
- Leave the juice on your hair for 15-30 minutes, depending on the green’s intensity.
- Rinse your hair thoroughly with cold water.
- Shampoo and condition your hair as usual.
- Repeat if required.
Method 2: Baking Soda and Apple Cider Vinegar
Baking soda, a natural clarifying agent, can help eliminate buildup from your hair, while apple cider vinegar can counterbalance the green color. This approach is mild on your hair and can be combined with other methods if required. Here’s how:
- Create a paste by mixing equal parts baking soda and water.
- Spread the paste on your damp hair, focusing on the green parts.
- Leave the paste on your hair for 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse your hair thoroughly with cold water.
- Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
- Spray the vinegar solution onto your hair, covering all green parts.
- Leave the vinegar on for 5-10 minutes.
- Rinse your hair thoroughly with cold water.
- Shampoo and condition your hair as usual.
- Repeat if required.
Method 3: Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is another natural and gentle way to eliminate green from your hair. The acidity of the lemon juice can break down the buildup in your hair, and its lightening properties can neutralize the green hue. Here’s how:
- Extract the juice from one or two lemons, depending on your hair’s length and thickness.
- Spread the lemon juice on your damp hair, focusing on the green parts.
- Leave the lemon juice on your hair for 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse your hair thoroughly with cold water.
- Shampoo and condition your hair as usual.
- Repeat if required.
Method 4: Hair Toner
A hair toner made to neutralize undesired tones can effectively remove green from your hair. Toners function by depositing color molecules on your hair strands, counteracting the green color. Ensure to select a toner with a color opposite to green on the color wheel, such as red or orange. Here’s how to use a hair toner:
- Pick a hair toner in a red or orange shade designed to neutralize green tones. Select a toner suitable for your hair type and color.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for mixing and applying the toner.
- Apply the toner to your damp hair, focusing on the green parts.
- Leave the toner on your hair for the suggested time, typically between 15-30 minutes.
- Rinse your hair thoroughly with cold water.
- Shampoo and condition your hair as usual.
- Repeat if required, but wait at least a week between toner applications to avoid overprocessing your hair.
Method 5: Color-Correcting Shampoos and Conditioners
Color-correcting shampoos and conditioners are specially designed to neutralize undesired tones in your hair. They usually contain pigments that balance the green color, such as red or orange. Using these products regularly can help keep your hair color and prevent green tones from returning. Here’s how:
- Choose a color-correcting shampoo and conditioner designed to neutralize green tones.
- Replace your regular shampoo with the color-correcting one, following the manufacturer’s usage instructions.
- Afterward, use the color-correcting conditioner, leaving it on your hair for the suggested time before rinsing.
- Use these products regularly to maintain your hair color and prevent the return of green tones.
Preventive Measures
- If you often swim, consider using a swim cap to protect your hair from chlorine. Wetting your hair with fresh water before swimming can prevent your hair from absorbing a lot of pool water.
- Rinse your hair with fresh water immediately after swimming to eliminate as much chlorine as possible.
- Use a chelating or clarifying shampoo weekly to remove mineral buildup from hard water.
- If you color your hair, use a high-quality dye and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Consider using a color-protecting shampoo and conditioner to maintain your hair color.
Green hair can be frustrating, but there are several ways to safely and quickly remove the unwanted color. Whether you prefer natural remedies like tomato juice, lemon juice, baking soda and apple cider vinegar, or choose hair toners, color-correcting shampoos, or conditioners, it’s essential to be gentle with your hair and avoid harsh chemicals. By following these methods and taking preventive measures, you can ensure your hair stays its best and wave goodbye to the green forever.