Purple toothpaste is based on the principle of color theory, where the purple hue is supposed to neutralize yellow stains on teeth. While this might sound scientifically plausible, the reality is it's more of an optical illusion than an oral health solution. The effect is purely cosmetic and extremely temporary.
Purple toothpaste works by counteracting yellow discoloration on teeth with purple microparticles so that the teeth appear white temporarily. This interaction, however, does not actually change the internal color of teeth nor remove surface stains.
Does purple shampoo work? We offer a resounding yes. If you have blonde, silver or white hair that tends to get yellow, purple shampoo can be your new best friend. The shampoos traditionally have a blue or violet color, which neutralizes the yellow tones making the hair look clean and bright.
The complement of any primary color can be made by combining the two other primary colors. For example, to achieve the complement of yellow (a primary color) one could combine red and blue. The result would be purple, which appears directly across from yellow on the color wheel.
Branding the tip “pointless” and “dangerous,” Dr Kasem warned that shampoo should not “be coming anywhere near your mouth.” The violet colour in the shampoo is designed to banish brassy yellow tones in the hair. Dr Kasem explained that it is incredibly dangerous to wash the teeth with shampoo and ingest the product.
“So, if the hair has a little bit of a yellow tone, a pigmented purple shampoo is going to neutralize that warmth.” Because of this, violet hued shampoo can also neutralize those yellow, brassy tones in more than just blonde hair.
Complimentary Colors, where Purple + Yellow = WHITE
POPWHITE features a new way to whiten and brighten teeth based on complementary color theory. POPWHITE uses color correction, not peroxide. Due to the nature of color perception, complementary colors, such as purple and yellow, cancel each other out.
When looking at color theory, we need to consider the color wheel. When examining a color wheel we see that purple is opposite to yellow, meaning purple can counteract yellow. Purple toothpaste, when applied to the teeth, can create an optical illusion by neutralizing yellow or brownish stains.
For yellow, this opposite color is blue.
Purple effectively neutralises yellow, as they are opposites on the colour spectrum and can counteract each other. Purple shampoo benefits natural and dyed blondes, as well as brunettes with lightened hair, including highlights, balayage and ombre.
"You want to stop using it two weeks before any lightening service. The purple shampoo can cause build up making the hair look dull and darker if overused." This makes the lightening process more difficult to create a seamless blend.
Blue and yellow sit across from each other on the wheel, so blue tones tend to cancel out orange or yellow tones when put together, and vice versa. Lipsticks that make teeth look whiter formulated with a blue base will help diminish any orange or yellow tones on your teeth.
It won't actually whiten your teeth or remove stains – it simply neutralizes their appearance. If you have stains deep in your teeth enamel, purple toothpaste won't be especially effective.
The Science Behind the Shade
It tells us that colors opposite each other on the color wheel can cancel each other out. Purple sits across from yellow, making it ideal for muting yellowish tinges on your teeth.
Staining was localized to the oral cavity in the six participants receiving GV 0.0085% and 0.1% solutions. Staining of the vermilion border of the lips and peri-oral tissues was not observed. In all cases, staining was transient and reversible, and no dental intervention was required to remove the stain.
When used regularly, it provides a significant color-correcting effect, leading to a brighter, more radiant smile. Switching to Colgate® Optic White® Purple Toothpaste is easy and seamless. Simply use it as your everyday toothpaste to not only maintain oral health but also to achieve that coveted whiter smile.
In this lesson, we'll be looking at yellow and purple (also known as violet), which are complementary colors. You can think of them as opposites on the color wheel. The only two colors that are directly opposite each other on the wheel are yellow/purple and orange/blue.
Purple is the exact opposite colour to yellow on the colour wheel, so when mixed together they essentially cancel eachother out. Purple/Violet Shampoos are super popular with blondes, and for good reason.
By looking at color theory and choosing the opposite color of your hair in the color wheel, such as purple or blue shades, you can neutralize the yellow and orange. This method gives the impression of cooler tones without affecting the pigments in a permanent way.
Brush with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste:
Baking soda has teeth whitening properties; that's why it's prevalent in toothpaste commercials. It helps in rubbing off stains from the tooth surface due to its mildly abrasive nature. Hydrogen peroxide, on the other hand, is a natural bleaching agent.
On the color wheel, purple is the opposite of yellow, which is why purple pigments cancel out brassy, yellow tones. When you get your hair professionally colored at the salon, hairstylists often tone hair to neutralize brassy yellow and orange tones on bleached hair.
Key Takeaways: Charcoal toothpaste is made from activated charcoal and may help remove surface stains, but it is highly abrasive and lacks fluoride. Purple toothpaste contains an illusionary ingredient that temporarily shifts tooth color, but it does not result in actual whitening.
Which colors or toners should I use to cancel yellow, orange and red? Ugly Duckling recommends that you use the following 4 colors when you want to neutralize: Violet is pure purple. It will neutralize unwanted yellow.
For example, blue neutralizes orange, green balances red, and purple tones down yellow hues. That means, in order to target yellow, you need a touch of violet in your formula.