Have you ever dyed your hair a beautiful shade of blonde, only to find it turning brassy and dull after a few weeks? If so, you’re not alone. Brassy hair is a common issue many people face, especially those with colored hair, highlighted, or blonde hair.
In this article, we’ll explore the causes of brassy hair and provide helpful tips for preventing and treating it.
What is Brassy Hair?
Brassy hair refers to hair that has unwanted warm tones or orange undertones. It is most commonly associated with dyed or color-treated hair, particularly when lightening or bleaching dark hair to achieve a lighter shade.
Brassy hair can occur when the underlying pigments in the hair are exposed during the lightening process and are not properly neutralized or toned.
Causes of Brassy Hair
Oxidation
Oxidation is the primary reason behind brassy hair. Lightening your hair or using hair color with bleach removes the natural pigment, exposing underlying warm tones, such as red and yellow.
Over time, these warm tones become more noticeable, resulting in brassy hair.
Mineral Buildup
Another common cause of brassy hair is mineral buildup. Hard water, which contains high levels of minerals like iron and copper, can leave deposits on your hair.
These minerals can create unwanted tones and make your hair appear brassy.
Sun Exposure
The sun’s UV rays can also contribute to brassy hair. They break down the hair’s proteins and pigments, causing color fading and brassiness.
This effect is more pronounced in color-treated hair as the coloring weakens the dye molecules.
7 Ways To Treat Brassy Hair
If you’re dealing with brassy hair and want to treat it, here are some steps you can take to get rid of brassy hair:
1. Use a purple or blue toning shampoo
Toning shampoos are specifically formulated to neutralize brassy tones in the hair. For example, purple shampoo is ideal for orange tones, unwanted yellow tones, or orange tones, while blue toning shampoos work well for brassy red tones.
Use the toning shampoo once or twice a week, leaving it on your hair for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Brunette hair can also benefit from using this kind of shampoo.
2. Consider a professional toning treatment
If the brassiness persists or you want a more intensive solution, consider visiting a professional hairstylist for a toning treatment. They can use a specialized hair toner or color-correcting techniques tailored to your hair to neutralize the brassiness effectively.
3. Limit heat styling and use a heat protectant
Excessive heat styling can exacerbate hair cuticle damage and contribute to brassiness. Minimize heat styling tools, and when you style your hair, apply a heat protectant spray or serum to shield your hair from heat damage.
4. Protect your hair from the sun
UV rays can cause hair color to fade and develop warm tones. Wear a hat or use hair products with UV filters when exposed to the sun for extended periods.
This can help preserve your hair color, fix brassy hair, and minimize brassiness.
5. Schedule regular color touch-ups
Regular touch-ups can help maintain your desired hair color and prevent brassiness from becoming more pronounced if you have color-treated hair. Consult with your hairstylist to determine the recommended interval for touch-ups based on your hair’s growth rate and color fading.
6. Apply a toning conditioner or a keratin purple and blue hair mask
In addition to a toning shampoo, you can use a toning conditioner or mask to combat brassiness further. These products help deposit cool-toned pigments onto your hair to counteract warm tones.
Leave the conditioner or color-depositing hair mask on for the recommended time before rinsing.
7. Seek professional advice
If you’re struggling to address the brassiness alone or are uncertain about the best approach, consult a professional hairstylist. They can assess your hair’s condition, recommend suitable treatments or products, and provide personalized advice based on your needs.
Remember that the effectiveness of treatment may vary depending on the severity of the brassiness and your hair’s condition. Patience and consistency in your hair care routine will help gradually reduce brassiness and maintain your desired hair color.
How to Prevent Brassy Hair
To prevent brassy hair, particularly in color-treated or lightened hair, here are some tips:
- Choose the right hair color or hair dye: When selecting a hair color or dye, opt for shades suitable for your natural hair color and skin tone. Avoid choosing colors that are too warm or have red undertones, as these can contribute to brassiness when lightened.
- Use a professional hairstylist: If you’re lightening or coloring your hair, it’s best to consult a professional hairstylist who has experience in color correction and can help you achieve your desired result. They can apply the color correctly and choose the appropriate toners or color-correcting techniques to minimize brassiness.
- Extend processing time: If lightening your hair at home, follow the instructions on the hair lightening product carefully. If your hair pulls warm tones, you may need to leave the product on longer to ensure adequate lightening. However, be cautious not to exceed the recommended processing time to avoid damaging your hair.
- Use toning products: After lightening or coloring your hair, use toning products to neutralize brassy tones. Purple or blue toning shampoos and conditioners are commonly used for this purpose. Use them regularly as part of your hair care routine to restore the balance between warm and cool tones, but be mindful not to overuse them, as they can make your hair too cool-toned or slightly purple if used excessively.
- Protect your hair from the sun: UV rays can cause hair color to fade and develop warm tones. When spending time in the sun, protect your hair by wearing a hat or using hair products with UV filters. Additionally, you can consider using leave-in conditioners or hair serums with UV protection.
- Minimize heat styling: Excessive use of heat styling tools, such as flat irons or curling irons, can cause damage to your hair and make it more prone to brassiness. Try to limit heat styling and use heat protectant sprays when necessary.
- Regular maintenance and touch-ups: Keep up with regular hair maintenance and touch-ups to maintain your desired hair color. This can involve scheduling regular appointments with your hairstylist for color touch-ups or toning treatments.
Everyone’s hair is unique, and the steps to prevent brassiness may vary depending on your hair type, color, and the specific products you use. If you’re uncertain about the best approach, consult a professional hairstylist who can provide personalized advice based on your hair’s needs.
Final Thoughts
Following the tips outlined above, you can help keep your hair healthy and vibrant, preventing brassy tones and keeping your color fresh. With frequent maintenance and the right products, you can maintain your desired shade of blonde without dealing with brassiness or fading.
Check out Vitamins Revive for hair products specifically designed to keep your blonde hair looking beautiful and healthy. With the right care, your blonde hair will be strong, shiny, and perfect tones.
FAQs
How do you know if your hair is brassy?
You can tell if your hair is brassy if it has unwanted warm or orange undertones, often appearing yellow, orange, or reddish.
How do I get rid of yellow and orange tones in my hair?
To eliminate yellow and orange tones in your hair, use a purple toning shampoo or conditioner to neutralize warm tones.
Why is my hair brassy after washing?
Your hair may appear brassy after washing due to inadequate toning or the presence of minerals in the water, such as in hard water. Residue from hair products can also contribute to brassiness.
How do you fix brassy blonde hair?
To fix brassy blonde hair, use a purple toning shampoo or conditioner to neutralize the warm tones. Additionally, visiting a professional hairstylist for a toning treatment or color correction can provide more intensive and tailored solutions to fix brassy hair.
