When it comes to hair color, green is a tricky shade. Unlike other colors that can easily cancel each other out, green has a more complex relationship with other pigments. So what is the best approach if you want to neutralize or remove green hair dye? Keep reading to find out what color does green cancel out in hair.
How Hair Color Works
Before getting into what cancels out green hair color specifically, it helps to understand some color theory basics. Hair color is made up of different pigments that create various shades. The primary color pigments are:
- Red
- Yellow
- Blue
Secondary colors like green, purple, and orange are created by mixing the primary pigments. For example:
- Green = Blue + Yellow
- Purple = Blue + Red
- Orange = Red + Yellow
When looking at a color wheel, colors that are opposite each other are considered complementary colors. These colors essentially cancel each other out. Some examples of complementary pairs are:
- Red & Green
- Yellow & Purple
- Blue & Orange
So in theory, red pigment should cancel out green. But hair color chemistry isn’t quite that simple.
How to Cancel Out Green Hair Dye
When looking at how to neutralize green hair color, the complementary color wheel isn’t necessarily the best guide. This is because hair color involves more than just the primary pigments. There are many different types and shades of color that stylists use to create various greens.
Dark forest greens contain a higher ratio of blue pigment. On the other hand, brighter lime greens have more yellow. The specific ingredients in the dye also impact how it reacts with other chemicals. Because of these complexities, removing or canceling out green hair dye relies on knowing exactly what’s in the formula.
Hair Color Removal
One of the most effective ways to get rid of green hair is through color removal treatments. These products are formulated to specifically break down and extract hair dye pigments without damaging the hair. They come in different strengths for permanent vs semi-permanent green shades.
Some popular hair color removers include:
- Color Oops
- Scott Cornwall Decolour
- L’Oreal Paris Colorist Secrets
These treatments pull out as much of the green dye as possible to reset your hair back to its natural or previously colored shade. Then you can redye your hair a natural color or another shade without having to worry about any leftover green tones.
Bleaching
Bleach is another option for removing green hair dye. Bleaching opens up the cuticle and accesses the hair shaft to remove pigment. The combination of the bleaching agent (hydrogen peroxide) and alkaline pH strips away color molecules.
It’s important to note however that bleaching is permanent and damages the hair structure. So you need to be prepared to commit to an all over lightening when using bleach to remove green.
Red Hair Dye
What about using the color wheel to counteract green dye? As mentioned above, red is theoretically the complementary color to green. But it’s not quite as simple as dyeing your hair red to cancel out the green.
The shade of red matters significantly. A darker burgundy or copper red contains more blue-red pigment. This can make it darker or muddier against the green versus orange-red shades like fire engine red.
Additionally, the green has to be light enough for the red tone to show through. With a darker forest green, red would just create a brown murky result.
Here’s a table showing what happens when you dye red over different shades of green:
| Green Shade | Result of Dyeing Red Over It |
|---|---|
| Light green | Reddish or vibrant orange result |
| Lime green | Red-orange result |
| Forest or dark green | Muddy brown result |
As you can see, red works best for cancelling out lighter greens with yellow undertones. The darker the green, the less effective red is at neutralizing it.
Highlights
Instead of coloring all of your hair, you can use highlights to help mask and break up patches of lingering green dye. Lighter blonde highlights help camouflage the green. Adding warmer copper and caramel highlights near your face can also distract from any unwanted color.
Precautions When Removing Green
When you’re ready to get rid of green hair, keep these precautions in mind:
- Do a strand test first when using color removers to check for skin sensitivities.
- Avoid overlapping bleached areas to prevent damage.
- Use bonding treatments and deep conditioning masks to nourish hair.
- Trim split ends after processing to restore healthy ends.
- Give hair a break before recoloring.
Maintaining Your New Color
Once you’ve successfully removed the green color, you’ll want to take steps to protect and maintain your new shade:
- Use a sulfate free shampoo and cool water washes.
- Apply a weekly conditioning hair mask.
- Look for hair products without green/blue pigments.
- Avoid chlorine and saltwater to prevent fading.
- Use a toning or gloss treatment regularly.
- Get a root touch up around 4-6 weeks.
Consult a Professional
While over the counter products can help remove green hair dye, for best results it’s smart to consult a professional colorist. They can assess your hair and the specific green shades to determine the safest process.
A colorist can perform a test strand to find the right color remover, bleaching formula, or pigment to cancel out the green tones. They also have access to professional grade treatments for conditioning and protecting the hair after processing. This helps keep your strands healthy and prevents complications.
The Takeaway
Green hair color can be tricky, but it is possible to cancel it out and remove it. The most foolproof methods are color removal treatments and bleaching. Red dye can also neutralize lighter greens. For darker shades, bleaching and highlights are best. Always exercise caution and care for your hair when using chemicals. Consulting a professional provides the safest, most tailored approach. With some patience and TLC, you can rid your hair of stubborn green hues.