Could Purple Shampoo Actually Damage Your Hair?

Three things you don’t know about purple shampoo.
I often hear my guests with blonde highlights ask if using a purple shampoo would make their hair balayage blonde.

Before I explain what purple shampoo is, let me tell you what purple shampoo is not.

Purple shampoo is not bleach, nor is it a toner. (However, your hairdresser in the color salon could use purple shampoo to help cut down some gold under pigmentations that hair might have from the lightening process). You, as a customer, can use it at home under your hairdresser’s recommendation.

1-Purple or blue shampoo is a shampoo with blue or violet pigmentations in it. It is great for blonde hair. It cancels yellow undertones, making your blue undertones higher, which makes blonde (that had yellow in it ) appear brighter.

2- Purple Shampoo cuts down the gold in some areas of the hair. The purple shampoo will only work if the highlights are level 8 and up. However, it will not tone hair that has been lifted with color. So purple shampoo will only work on hair that has been highlighted with lightener, not hair color. The brighter the blonde, the better purple shampoo works.

3- Purple shampoo will not damage hair.

Last week I had a call from a new guest telling me about previous experience. She was saying that her hair got damaged since she started to use a purple shampoo that she bought form her last salon.

Sometimes when the hair has been over-processed, the damaged hair won’t show until you start to use purple shampoo. Why? Because the more damaged the hair is, the more silvery finish the highlighted parts would show when you begin to use the shampoo. In most cases will appear silver or grayish.

Tip: Avoid using purple shampoo too often. There is no right or wrong way to use it. However, if it is used too often, purple shampoo could build up in the hair.

To remove the build-up, you would need to make a salon appointment. Purple shampoo should be used under your hairdresser’s recommendation

Removing purple shampoo requires a professional. It is a process and service on its own. It could cost you between $30-$50 depending on your hair length, plus the price of a blowout.

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