Red tint in hair can occur for a variety of reasons. It may be an unwanted result of color-treating hair at home, sun exposure, chlorine damage from swimming pools, mineral deposits from hard water, or the natural process of hair losing pigment as we age. Removing red tint completely can be challenging, but there are methods that can help reduce the appearance of redness. Here are some options for removing red tint from hair:
Clarifying Shampoo
Using a clarifying shampoo regularly is a good first step for fading red tones from hair. Clarifying shampoos are stronger shampoos designed to deeply cleanse hair and remove product buildup. They don’t contain conditioning agents so they remove more residue from the hair cuticle than regular shampoos. This helps lift and strip away artificial red pigments deposited on the hair from color treatments. Some popular clarifying shampoos include:
| Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo |
| Kenra Clarifying Shampoo |
| Paul Mitchell Shampoo Two |
| Redken Hard Water Shampoo |
| Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Shampoo |
Using a clarifying shampoo 1-2 times per week and letting it sit on the hair for 3-5 minutes before rinsing can help dissolve red hair dye deposits over time. It may take several washes to notice a difference. Be careful not to overuse clarifying shampoos as they can dry out your hair. Always condition properly after using one.
Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Anti-dandruff shampoos containing zinc pyrithione or ketoconazole can also help strip out red hair color. These ingredients are able to bind to hair strands and remove metallic salts and pigments. Using your regular anti-dandruff shampoo or getting a chelating shampoo specifically designed for removing minerals and metals from hair a few times a week can aid fading. Some options include:
| Head and Shoulders Classic Clean Anti-Dandruff Shampoo |
| Selsun Blue Medicated Anti-Dandruff Shampoo |
| Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo |
| Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Shampoo |
Rotate anti-dandruff shampoos with your regular shampoo and let them soak for 3-5 minutes to remove red hair dye pigments over several washes.
Baking Soda
Making a paste with baking soda and anti-dandruff shampoo can boost removing red tones from hair. The abrasiveness of the baking soda works together with the color-stripping action of anti-dandruff shampoos. Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of shampoo. Massage it into damp hair and let it sit for 3-5 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Use this treatment 1-2 times per week after clarifying to lift out more red pigment. The baking soda may cause some drying, so use a good conditioner after.
Vitamin C Treatment
Vitamin C is an effective remover of oxidative hair color. Mixing vitamin C powder into a shampoo treatment can help extract red dye from hair gently. Combining around 1/4 cup vitamin C powder with enough shampoo to make a paste consistency, applying to hair, and letting it process for 30-60 minutes can draw out a significant amount of artificial color. Keep this treatment on the hair with a shower cap. Make sure to shampoo multiple times after rinsing to remove vitamin C residue. Use this once a week at most, as too much vitamin C can dry out your hair.
Malic Acid Treatment
Malic acid is an organic compound found in fruits that can remove red tones from hair in a gentle way. It works similarly to vitamin C treatments. You can find malic acid powder to mix with shampoo, or look for shampoos containing malic acid. Apply the treatment to wet hair, let it sit 30-60 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Use malic acid treatments once a week at most to lift red color over time.
Anti-Dandruff Shampoo + Baking Soda + Dish Soap
For a stronger color-removing treatment, you can mix together anti-dandruff shampoo, baking soda, and dish soap. The combination of ingredients works to deeply cleanse hair, lift cuticles, and strip away red dye. Mix a few tablespoons of each, apply to wet hair, wait 5 minutes, and rinse. Use this treatment once a week at most, as it can be drying. condition hair very well after.
Swimming in Chlorinated Water
As mentioned earlier, spending time in chlorinated pools can cause red tones to show up in hair. But this reaction can also be used intentionally to help remove red dye faster. The oxidizing effects of chlorine can break down hair color molecules over time. Swim in chlorinated pools regularly to help speed up fading of red tint – just be sure to condition hair well after to counteract the drying effects.
Use a Color-Depositing Conditioner
Color-depositing hair conditioners can coat strands with pigment to counteract red undertones. Using a conditioner in a shade close to your natural or desired hair color 2-3 times a week will help neutralize brassy red tones. Some good options are:
| Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deeeeep |
| Keracolor Color Conditioner |
| Redken Color Extend Brownlights |
| Overtone Coloring Conditioner |
Rinse out thoroughly after 3-5 minutes. These will temporarily deposit color with each use, helping mask redness as your hair fades.
Use Dry Shampoo Between Washes
Over-washing hair can cause more color to fade out quickly. Using dry shampoo at the roots between washes can help preserve hair color longer by reducing washing frequency. Dry shampoo soaks up excess oils and makes hair look freshly washed. Letting days pass between shampooing gives dye molecules more time to adhere to hair before being stripped away again.
Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
An apple cider vinegar hair rinse can remove red tone buildup. The acidic nature of vinegar helps remove residue and minerals that can contribute to brassy color. Mix 1 part apple cider vinegar with 2 parts water after shampooing. Pour over damp hair, massage into strands, let sit 1-2 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Do this once or twice a week. The vinegar smell dissipates once hair dries.
Use Blue or Purple Shampoo
Shampoos with blue or purple pigments counteract warm, yellow/orange undertones that make hair appear more red. They tone down brassiness and even out color. Some options are:
| Clairol Shimmer Lights Shampoo |
| Joico Color Balance Blue Shampoo |
| Redken Color Extend Blondage Blue Shampoo |
| Fanola No Orange Shampoo |
Use them 1-2 times per week and leave each wash on for 2-5 minutes before rinsing. These help neutralize red/orange tones that show through when dye fades.
Protein Filler Treatment
Protein filler treatments can help rebuild and seal the hair cuticle during the color removal process. They provide strengthening protein to counteract the damage that can occur from frequent washing and color-stripping treatments. Work a protein filler product through clean, towel-dried hair and leave on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing out. Use once a week or every other week. This will make hair healthier and less porous so it holds onto color better.
Use Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Sulfate-free shampoos are gentler cleansers that don’t strip color as aggressively as shampoos with sulfates. Alternating your regular shampoo with a sulfate-free one can help preserve hair color better in between color removal treatments. Just lather the sulfate-free shampoo only at the roots rather than all over to avoid product buildup. This will extend the longevity of hair dye.
Avoid Heat Styling
Frequent use of hot styling tools can speed up fading of hair color. The heat weakens and damages hair, causing dye molecules to wash out faster. Allow hair to air dry naturally as often as possible. When heat is necessary, use the lowest temperature possible and prep hair with a heat protectant product to minimize damage. The less you damage your hair, the longer the color will last.
Consider Professional Removal
For challenging cases of color buildup not fading with home treatments, visit a salon for professional removal. Beauticians have access to stronger stripping products such as bleach baths, color removers, or neutralizers. Professionals can safely lift out stubborn red dye while conditioning strands to counteract damage. This will get you back to an even, clean base before re-coloring.
Let It Fade Gradually
If red tint was caused by semi-permanent dye, allowing it to slowly wash out over several weeks may be the easiest and most damage-free solution. Be patient through an awkward fading phase. Use color-depositing conditioners to help. Eventually the red undertone will be gone and you can re-color. Stop coloring for 2-3 months to let hair recover if damage occurred.
Conclusion
Eliminating red tones from hair that has been chemically colored can take some work, but is possible with clarifying shampoos, anti-dandruff shampoos, vitamin C treatments, and avoidance of heat styling. Removing color damage gradually is safest if hair is fragile. Occasionally see a professional for stronger cleansing treatments if needed. With consistency using these methods, you can successfully remove red tint from hair and get back to neutral.
