Of course, you probably feel you wasted time and money in getting the highlights done. Unfortunately, this phenomenon is not limited to a few women and is common worldwide. But the good news is you can completely avoid brassiness in brown hair by taking a few measures. This article guides you through tackling brassy tones if you are a brunette.
Why Does Brown Hair Turn Brassy?
Brassiness is common in color-treated brown hair. Before dyeing, the hair is usually bleached with ammoniai XAn inorganic compound of hydrogen and nitrogen, ammonia is a colorless gas. It dissolves in water and has a pungent smell. and peroxidei XIt is a chemical compound where one covalent bond combines two atoms of oxygen. It makes an effective bleaching agent. to lift or oxidizei XTo oxidize means to alter the hair pigments by exposing the hair strands to chemicals or hair treatments. the melanin pigmentsi XMelanin pigments are responsible for determining hair color. They are produced in a group of cells called melanocytes. . After bleaching, the artificial pigments in the hair color are deposited into the shafts. However, sometimes, bleaches cannot oxidize all the melanin pigments in the strands, and eventually, the original hair pigments start revealing themselves through the artificial color pigments. That’s when your hair develops a warm tone. The result? Brassy brown hair! The intensity of the brassy tones depends on your natural hair color. Light brown hair develops a warm yellow tone, while reddish-orange hair develops deeper brassy strokes. In a nutshell, the brassy tones are caused by the melanin overpowering the hair dye in your strands. Don’t be sad thinking that your money and color are both washed down the drain. You can easily remove brassy tones from brown hair.
All About Removing Brassy Tones From Brown Hair
You can try these remedies to fix brassy brown hair at home:
1. Use Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar, or ACV, is commonly used as a post-shampoo hair rinse due to its perceived medicinal and hair benefits. It is said to balance the scalp pH and add a natural shine to the hair. People also use it to maintain and preserve their hair color. Ingredients
1 cup of ACV 1 cup of filtered water 2-3 drops of tea tree oil (optional)
Process
2. Apply Baking Soda
The application of baking soda to the hair had started off the “no-poo” trend. This method is not scientifically backed. However, many people use it to avoid frequent hair washes and prevent color fading. It helps to remove dirt and excess oil. However, excess use of baking soda can sensitize the scalp and cause brittle and dry hair. Ingredients
1 tablespoon of baking soda 1-2 pumps of any sulfate-free shampoo 2-3 drops of blue or purple food dye
Process
3. Tea And Lemon Juice Toner
This is a DIY brassy brown hair toner. Using this toner 3-5 times a week may help prevent brassy tones. Ingredients
2.5 cups of water 4 scoops of chamomile tea Juice of a medium-sized lemon
Process
4. Use A Blue Or Purple Shampoo
Blue or purple shampoo neutralizes the warm brassy, and yellow tones to restore your hair color. The cool colors like blue and purple are on the opposite spectrum of warm colors like red and orange. They neutralize the effect of the warm shades seen in brassy brown hair. To use a purple or blue shampoo:
5. Use A Hair Toner And Conditioner
Hair toners are color correctors that eliminate the yellow, red, and orange undertones in your brown hair. Some toners may deposit pigments directly onto the hair folliclesi XThe shaft of the epidermis through which hair grows is known as the follicle. It is found in the skin’s dermal layer. , while others have activators to penetrate the hair and leave behind a semi-permanent effect. Hair toning products for brown and brassy hair must be diluted with shampoo or conditioner before application. You can also purchase a toner-enriched shampoo, conditioner, glaze, or gloss. The following section lists a few measures to take to prevent the recurrence of brassiness. Scroll down for more information.
Ways To Prevent Brassiness In Brown Hair
1. Switch Your Hair Products
Regular shampoos and conditioners fade the hair color faster. Always use color-safe hair products to prevent fading and brassiness.
2. Avoid Excessive Heat Treatment
Excessive exposure to heat styling tools like blow dryers and hair straighteners or curlers on high heat can fade the hair color and cause brassiness. If you cannot avoid using them, coat the hair strands with a heat protectant before styling. Also, limit the usage of heat styling tools and try to air dry your hair.
3. Limit Sun Exposure
Protect your hair from the UV rays, as they can alter your hair color and cause brassiness. Cover your head when you step out in the sun. Use a UV protection hair spray.
4. Use A Neutral Hair Dye
Use a neutral dye to achieve the same effect as blue and purple shampoos. Neutral dark and medium brown hair dyes contain a blend of blue and green dyes to neutralize red, yellow, and orange tones. They also refresh the hair color and impart an envious sheen and glow to your hair.
5. Limit Washing Your Hair
The more you wash your hair, the quicker the color will fade. Wash your hair not more than twice a week to prevent brassiness. Use only lukewarm or room temperature water as hot water can fade the hair color.
6. Avoid Swimming
It is because chlorine exposure can damage your hair. Chlorine has an abrasive effect that may roughen your hair and fade the color. Avoid taking a dip at the beach, as saltwater will have the same damaging effect. If you want to swim, cover your head properly to prevent water exposure. How do you get rid of brassy hair fast? Check out the infographic below for the best home remedies to remove brassy tones from brown hair effectively. The best way to get rid of and prevent brassy hair quickly is using a purple shampoo. You can also use toner to eliminate the brassy tones from your hair. Will peroxide get rid of brassy hair? Peroxide helps in preventing brassy hair after bleaching. After bleaching, stylists suggest mixing a little bit of hydrogen peroxide with your toner to reduce the chances of your hair turning brassy.
