What Does Purple Shampoo Do to Purple Hair?

Purple shampoo is widely known for its ability to neutralize brassy tones in blonde, gray, or lightened hair. But what happens when you use it on already purple hair? In this article, we’ll explore how purple shampoo interacts with purple-dyed hair and whether it’s beneficial or not.

Maintaining Vibrancy

One of the key benefits of using purple shampoo on purple hair is that it can help maintain the vibrancy of your color. Purple shampoo deposits pigments that can refresh and intensify your existing purple hue, making it appear richer and more vibrant. This can be especially useful if your purple hair color starts to fade between salon visits. Additionally, the purple pigment in the shampoo acts as a toner that balances out brassy colors, such as yellow and orange, helping to transform your hair into a cool, hydrated tone.

Preventing Brassiness

Even purple hair can develop unwanted yellow or brassy tones over time, especially if the base color before dyeing was blonde or lightened. Purple shampoo can help counteract these tones, keeping your purple hair looking cooler and more even-toned. It’s an easy way to maintain a consistent and balanced color. Purple shampoo can also be used to help keep pastel purple dye jobs from becoming brassy as they fade, ensuring your color stays fresh and vibrant.

Avoiding Overuse

While purple shampoo can be beneficial for maintaining purple hair, it’s important not to overuse it. Excessive use can lead to an overload of pigment, potentially causing your hair to appear darker or even muddy. For the best results, incorporate purple shampoo into your routine sparingly—once or twice a week is often enough to keep your color fresh without oversaturating your hair with pigment.

Enhancing Faded Color

If your purple hair is starting to fade, purple shampoo can give it a temporary boost. The shampoo’s pigments can cling to the hair, enhancing the remaining color and giving your hair a subtle refresh. However, it’s not a replacement for a professional color touch-up, so keep that in mind if your hair has significantly faded.

Tips for Maintaining Purple Hair

Here are some essential tips to keep your purple locks looking vibrant and healthy:

Be Mindful of Your First Wash:

• After coloring your hair, wait at least 48 hours before your first wash. This allows the color to fully set, helping it last longer.
• Remember, the more often you wash your hair, the quicker the color will fade. Water can strip your hair of its vibrant hue, so try to minimize washes when possible.

Embrace Cooler Showers:

• Hot water speeds up color fading, so try to stick to lukewarm or cold showers. Cooler temperatures help seal in your color and prolong its vibrancy.
• If you live in an area with hard water, consider investing in a showerhead with a water purifier. This can protect your hair from the elements in the water that may strip your color.

Choose the Right Shampoo:

• Look for shampoos specifically designed to protect colored hair, especially those that are sulfate-free. These are gentler and less likely to strip your hair of its color.
• For pastel purples, a purple shampoo can help neutralize any brassiness as your color fades. If you have a richer purple hue, opt for a moisturizing shampoo with ingredients like coconut oil, vitamin E, and amino acids to keep your hair hydrated and healthy.

Protect Your Hair from the Sun:

• UV rays can damage your hair and cause your color to fade. When you’re out in the sun, wear a hat or use a hair sunscreen spray to shield your locks from the sun's harmful effects.

Avoid Chlorine Exposure:

• Chlorine can have a bleaching effect on your hair, accelerating color fade. If you need to swim, try wearing a swim cap to protect your purple hair from chlorine and other chemicals in the water.

Will purple shampoo help my purple hair?

Yes, purple shampoo can help maintain purple hair by preventing violet hues from fading. It's especially useful for those with vibrant, unicorn-inspired colors, as it helps keep the purple tones fresh and vivid, extending the life of your hair color between salon visits.

How to keep purple hair purple?

To maintain purple hair, reduce the frequency of washing and use dry shampoo to extend time between washes. Invest in hair care products specifically formulated for purple hair; these contain color-preserving ingredients that help maintain vibrancy and prevent fading.

In conclusion, maintaining vibrant purple hair requires the right care and products. Purple shampoo can be a great ally in keeping your color fresh and preventing unwanted brassiness, but it's important to use it sparingly.