Just like blondes, brunettes and redheads can benefit from using color-specific shampoos, those with gray and silver hair are no exception. Gray hair, since it lacks pigment and can be coarser, needs a little extra TLC to keep it shiny and healthy.
Understand How Purple Shampoo Works
To put it simply, purple shampoos can get rid of those brassy yellow tones from your hair because purple and yellow are complementary colors.
A sulfate-free shampoo will provide a gentler clean to help protect fragile white hair. Avoid alcohol in shampoo and other hair products.
Environmental factors such as chlorine, sun and mineral deposits in water can also damage or discolor white hair. Wear a hat when spending long periods of time in the sun to protect hair from UV rays that can cause discoloration. Be sure to also rinse hair thoroughly after swimming in a pool or salt water.
The pigment in our hair is caused by melanin— the same pigment that is also responsible for our skin color. Gray hair is caused by a loss in melanin, whereas white hair does not have any melanin at all. As you age, your hair produces less and less melanin that leads your hair to appear gray, and then eventually white.
Unfortunately, there's no way to prevent your hair from yellowing (except by not smoking if you think that is the problem). You might first try a product like “No Deposit Shampoo” from Origins, which will remove smoke and any product build up that might be causing the yellow color.
If you have naturally white or grey hair, purple shampoo can be used in the same way as with bleached hair to remove yellow tones and revive vibrant color. It can also be used on red hair to counteract brassy tones for color that stays fresh week after week.
Gray or white hair, which contains little or no pigment, sometimes gets yellow because it picks up pigments from the environment; for example, if you use a yellowish shampoo or conditioner, rather than a clear one, a trace of the color might be deposited on your hair.
Purple shampoo neutralises brassiness but enhances blonde pigmentation. To maintain a silver shade, your shampoo requires a stronger colour neutralisation. Silver shampoo is formulated with deeper purple pigments to target yellow tones in a much stronger way.
Formulated with violet and blue pigments, it enhances naturally white and grey hair and counteracts any yellow undertones. Ask your L'Oréal Professionnel stylist for a personalised consultation to find out how often you should be using silver shampoo and how long to leave it on your hair.
How Often Should I Use Purple Shampoo? Keep in mind that purple shampoo does not replace your regular shampoo and should only be used once or twice a week. Doss warns that there is such a thing as too much purple.
Purple shampoo neutralizes the yellow tones in white hair (specifically), which makes it appear whiter.
To get silver hair, you have to bleach your hair until your strands are almost white. The darker your natural color is, the more bleach sessions you'll have to go through to lighten your hair enough to achieve that ethereal silver hue.
A weekly moisture mask will help soften coarse gray strands. You'll also want to switch to a violet-tinged shampoo to help neutralize yellow tones; even white hair can turn brassy from UV rays and minerals in the water.
According to color theory, brunettes should reach for a blue shampoo. Purple shampoos, on the other hand, are better for blondes, silver or grey hair. The tone-correcting pigments help protect color from fading.
What's the best shampoo for gray hair? Purple shampoo is definitely the best choice because it neutralizes brassiness.
DON'T use purple shampoo before your colour appointment
As Anneliese said, it's important not to use purple shampoo in the run-up to your colouring appointment. “Stop using purple shampoo a week or so before you have your colour done,” advises Jimmy.
Vitamin B-12 is the most common culprit, with folate, copper, and iron deficiencies increasing your risk, too. Dietary supplements may help these deficiencies and you might see your natural hair color start to grow back after several weeks.
Since baking soda is a scrubbing agent, washing your hair with it can gradually strip the dye from your locks. Baking soda can lighten all hair colors, but it might take a few washes to get your hair to the desired color.
This violet and silver pigment shampoo and conditioner is ideal for brightening gray and silver locks, especially those prone to dullness and yellow brassy tones. After use, your gray hair is left looking and feeling brighter and healthier. Say goodbye to brassiness with the right toning shampoo for your hair hue.