Why is my brown hair turning copper?

Author: Prof. Dominique Cormier  |  Last update: Thursday, January 15, 2026

And because those UV rays are stronger in summer compared to other times of the year, some strands will turn a copper red colour due to the underlying warmer tones in your brunette hair being revealed as it's bleached by the light. Suffice it to say, until new hair grows through, the reddish tint will remain.

How do you get rid of copper tones in brown hair?

Use a Color-Correcting Product:Color-correcting shampoos or conditioners can help neutralize unwanted tones. For copper hair, a blue or purple-toned shampoo or conditioner might help balance the color and reduce the coppery appearance.

Why is my brown hair turning ginger?

Sun Exposure: Prolonged exposure to sunlight can lighten hair, sometimes giving it a reddish tint, especially in brown hair. UV rays can break down the pigments in your hair. Chemical Treatments: If you've used hair dyes, bleaching agents, or other chemical treatments, these can alter your hair color.

Why does my hair keep going copper?

Extra porous hair tends to absorb pollution, hard water, and other environmental causes resulting in hair turning brassier than non porous hair. It means your hair has been damaged, through environmental factors, over processed color or the overuse of heat.

Why is my natural brown hair turning orange?

Oxidation: Over time, hair can oxidize, especially if it has been previously colored or treated. This process can lead to a change in tone, often making brown hair appear more orange or red. Water Quality: Hard water, which contains high levels of minerals, can effect hair color.

I Apply it on My White Hair & see the Magic | How to Color White Hair at Home Naturally 1 Wash

How to fix orange brown hair?

If your hair's turned orange, you'll need a blue toning shampoo to tone the brassiness and get rid of the orange.
  1. Use a hair glaze or glossing colour.
  2. Dye your hair darker.
  3. Lighten your orange hair at the salon.
  4. Use an apple cider vinegar toning rinse.

Why is my black hair turning copper?

Environmental Factors: Certain factors like exposure to the sun can cause black hair to lighten, taking on a red, copper, or even blonde hue. Natural oils produced by the scalp may also interact with the sun's ultraviolet radiation to alter hair color over time.

Why does my brown hair look copper?

And because those UV rays are stronger in summer compared to other times of the year, some strands will turn a copper red colour due to the underlying warmer tones in your brunette hair being revealed as it's bleached by the light. Suffice it to say, until new hair grows through, the reddish tint will remain.

What cancels out copper tones in hair?

For orange brassy hair, blue toner is the answer. It is the opposite color on the color wheel from orange, so when the two colors are mixed together, they cancel each other out. Try a blue shampoo like Joico Color Balance Blue Shampoo.

What causes copper build up in hair?

“When you wash your hair regularly with hard water, minerals such as calcium and magnesium can build up and dull and weigh down your hair. Metals like iron, copper and manganese can discolour your natural hair colour or interact with hair colour chemicals, especially if you have light colour hair or highlights.”

How to stop brown hair from going ginger?

Use a neutral hair dye

Neutral hair dyes are typically formulated with blue and green dyes that counteract the natural red and copper underlying pigments in dark bases, helping to prevent brassy hair.

Why is my hair changing color by itself?

Melanin goes through significant pigmentation changes throughout a person's life. In other words, your hair color doesn't stay the same color. This is why a blond child may become closer to a brunette in their teen and adult years. The sun's UV rays can break down (oxidize) your hair's melanin.

How to improve melanin production in hair?

Tip: You should add Vitamins A, B12, C, and D to increase melanin production in your hair cells. You should thus add citrus fruits and green vegetables to your diet. Including Indian gooseberry in your diet is important because it is rich in Vitamin C and Iron.

Why does my brown hair keep going brassy?

Brassy brown hair happens in color-treated brown hair and refers to the orange and red undertones that appear in the base color over time. When hair is lightened, the pigments are stripped, which leads to these unwanted warm tones that come to the surface.

Can dark hair go copper?

Bleach your hair (optional). If you have dark hair, you may need to bleach it first in order to achieve a bright copper color.

What is the best toner for brassy brown hair?

Best Hair Toners For Brunettes
  • Color Wow Color Control Blue Toning + Styling Foam for Dark Hair. $18 at Walmart$19 at fragrancenet.com. ...
  • Matrix Total Results Brass Off Shampoo. ...
  • Pureology Color Fanatic Top Coat + Tone Hair Gloss. ...
  • John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Visibly Deeper Color Deepening Treatment.

How do you fix copper brown hair?

Just as a purple shampoo neutralises brassy tones on blondes, using a blue shampoo on brown hair neutralises orange and red tones for brunettes.

Why does my hair go ginger when I dye it brown?

To avoid it going ginger or red then you must check what shade you are using. For example if the colour says golden, chocolate, mahogany, red, warm brown etc, these will all look 'ginger'. To achieve a rich colour, a basic shade must be added to create the depth (how dark it is).

What shampoo cancels out copper?

Blue shampoo: Neutralizes unwanted orange, red and copper tones that shows up in lightened hair.

Why does brown hair turn orange?

"All hair contains melanin, and melanin is responsible for the lightness or darkness of your natural hair color." So when we lighten our naturally dark hair color, "the underlying pigments in darker colors are one of the reasons that hair can turn that orange brassy color during or after a coloring session."

Why is my hair turning ginger naturally?

Hard water, which contains high levels of minerals, can cause build-up on your hair, leading to color changes including a red tint. Additionally, a diet lacking essential nutrients can impact hair health and color, possibly leading to a reddish shade (source). Vitamin B12 deficiency is another potential cause.

How to get rid of copper tones in hair?

As you can probably imagine, blue shampoo contains cobalt-colored pigments that help offset orange and other copper-leaning tones. Use it in place of your regular shampoo once or twice a week to help fend off unwanted warmth.

Why has my hair turned copper?

Brassy haircolor becomes a problem when bleaching or lifting doesn't get rid of all the underlying pigment in your hair, giving the warm tones an opportunity to reveal themselves.

What does oxidized hair look like?

Whenever the hair is exposed to the sun, UV light, chemicals, or hair treatments, hair color oxidation occurs. This can cause the hair to lighten and have a reddish undertone, which is a result of a loss of pigment in the hair shaft, which is in turn caused by the outer layer of the hairs haft peeling away.

How do you remove copper buildup from hair?

Clarifying Shampoo: Incorporate a clarifying shampoo into your hair care routine. These shampoos are specifically formulated to remove buildup from the hair and scalp, including mineral deposits. Use them once a week or as needed to keep your hair fresh and clean.

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