Has your bright blonde hair taken on a greenish tinge ? This discoloration can happen for a number of reasons – from environmental factors like chlorine to using the wrong hair products. While tricky, removing the green hues from light hair can be done with some strategic tricks. Read on for solutions to get back your vibrant, golden locks.
How Do I Know if My Hair is Turning Green?
Examine Strands in Natural Daylight
The best way to assess if your blond hair has green pigments is to inspect it in bright, natural daylight. Green hues can appear more intense under sunlight, compared to indoor lighting. Check the mid-lengths and ends of your hair for any dull or dark patches.
Analyze Areas Near Your Hairline
Green usually shows up first around the hairline and perimeter of the face – areas that see the most sun exposure and contact with skin oils. Thoroughly inspect these fragile areas for a grassy or muddied shift from your regular blond shade.
Use a Mirror to View the Back of Your Head
Since discoloration often starts in the back, use two mirrors to inspect the nape area and crown for spots or streaks of emerald creeping through. Ask a friend or family member to scan the back of your head as well.
Pinpoint the Cause
Determine what underlying issue has caused pigments to turn your blonde hair greenish to find the best removal method.
Here are the most common culprits:
Swimming in Chlorinated Pools
Spending time in chlorinated pools can lead to green metallic changes from the copper in your hair reacting with chemicals like chlorine. This typically shows up as green-tinted tips or stripes throughout the hair.
Using Clarifying Shampoos Too Often
Frequently using clarifying or anti-residue shampoos can strip away toner, causing brassiness that transforms into an unwelcome green over time.
Sun Exposure Extended time in the sun can oxidize pigments in color-treated blonde hair, shifting it towards forest green tones. Those with naturally lighter hair can also develop discoloration from photodegradation.
Hard Water Minerals
Minerals like calcium, magnesium and copper found in hard water supplies can attach to hair follicles and alter color vibrancy over time. This often appears as green-tinted strands scattered throughout the hair.
How to Remove Green from Blonde Hair At Home
- Use a Clarifying Shampoo Start by using a clarifying shampoo containing sulfates to help strip away mineral buildup or chlorine. Lather it thoroughly from roots to ends on wet hair and let it sit for 3-5 minutes before rinsing. Avoid scrubbing too aggressively.
- Make a Vitamin C Treatment Crush 5-10 vitamin C tablets into a fine powder then mix with dandruff shampoo until a paste forms. Apply this all over dry hair, wait 20 minutes, then rinse – this weak acid solution helps lift cuticle stains.
- Try Dish Soap As a gentle chelating method, mix a small amount of blue Dawn dish soap into your regular shampoo. Gently massage onto wet hair and leave for 2-3 minutes before washing out – the enzymes break down metals.
- Use Clarifying Rinses
Alternate your regular shampoo with chelating rinses made from ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar, or whitening mouthwash. These help dissolve mineral deposits that lead to green overtones. - Dye Over It If you have darker blonde hair, using a semi-permanent toner or color close to your natural shade can mask mild green discoloration. Try protein-enriched conditioning formulas.
- Bleach Bath Soak For brighter blondes, a bleach bath is gentler than full highlight bleaching. Mix 1 part powder lightener with 2 parts 20 volume developer and dilute further with shampoo. Soak hair for 20-30 minutes checking often to avoid damage.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you have attempted these methods without success, or require extensive color correction, seek help from a licensed colorist. Professionals have access to stronger products like professional clarifying treatments and bleach. They can also correctly formulate toners to neutralize the green tones on your particular shade of blonde. Going to the salon avoids a hit-or-miss approach trying to remedy unwanted color at home.
How to Prevent Green Hues in Blonde Hair
To keep brassy or green undertones at bay once you’ve removed them:
- Use sulfate-free hair products to avoid stripping color
- Alternate cool and warm water when rinsing hair
- Look for shower filters to remove metals from water
- Apply a UV protective product before sun exposure
- Swim with a cap and wet hair with clean water afterward
- Use a purple shampoo 1-2 times per week to tone yellow shades
The Takeaway
Removing inconvenient green hues from light blonde hair can require some work but is totally achievable using clarifying methods. Determine the underlying cause then try techniques like vitamin C soaks, dish soap mixes, and bleach baths to gently lift the stubborn green. Prevent it from returning by tweaking day-to-day habits. With some patience and TLC, you’ll be back to showing off gorgeous golden tresses.