Help! My Toner Turned My Hair Purple: How to Fix It (Detailed Guide)

Ah, the dreaded purple hair mishap! You carefully lightened your hair, prepped it perfectly, and then… your toner decided to go rogue. Instead of the cool, ashy blonde or the subtle beige you envisioned, you’re staring at a head of lavender or even bright violet. It’s a common hair woe, especially for DIY enthusiasts, and while it can feel like a disaster, don’t panic. Purple tones are correctable, and with the right approach, you can get your hair back to your desired shade. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the causes of purple hair from toner and, more importantly, provide step-by-step instructions on how to fix it, along with helpful tips and preventative measures.

Why Did My Toner Turn My Hair Purple?

Before we delve into solutions, understanding why your toner went purple is crucial. Toner works by depositing pigment to neutralize unwanted undertones, like yellow or orange. Typically, a violet-based toner is used to counteract yellow, while a blue-based toner handles orange. However, several factors can lead to excessive purple tones:

• Over-Processing: Leaving the toner on for too long is a primary culprit. Toners are powerful, and exceeding the recommended processing time can lead to over-pigmentation and an overly purple result.
• Porous Hair: Damaged or overly porous hair tends to absorb pigment more quickly and intensely. This can cause the toner to grip too tightly, resulting in a concentrated color.
• Starting With Yellow Hair: Toner is meant to neutralize, not drastically change color. If your hair was still quite yellow after lightening, the violet toner might have struggled to neutralize the yellow, leading to an imbalance that veers towards purple.
• Too Much Toner: Using too much toner, or not evenly distributing it, can result in patchy purple areas or an overall overly-saturated purple.
• Incorrect Toner Choice: Using a toner that’s too strong for your hair’s level can also cause purple hues. Toners come in different strengths, and it’s crucial to choose one that suits your current hair color.
• Build-up: Product buildup on the hair can interfere with the toner’s even application, leading to uneven and sometimes purple results.

How to Fix Purple Hair From Toner: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now, let’s move on to the solutions. Here’s a breakdown of effective methods to tackle those pesky purple tones:

Method 1: The Gentle Approach – Clarifying Shampoo and Patience

This method is ideal if your purple tint isn’t too severe and you want a less aggressive approach. It’s also a great starting point before resorting to stronger measures.

Steps:

1. Clarifying Shampoo: Use a clarifying shampoo designed to remove product buildup and impurities. This type of shampoo is more effective at stripping away color pigments than regular shampoos. Look for a sulfate-based clarifying shampoo, as these tend to be more potent at removing color.
2. Apply and Massage: Thoroughly wet your hair and apply a generous amount of clarifying shampoo, focusing on the areas that are most purple. Gently massage the shampoo into your hair and scalp, ensuring all strands are coated.
3. Lather and Rinse: Lather the shampoo well and leave it on for 2-5 minutes. This will give it time to lift the purple pigments. Then, thoroughly rinse your hair with lukewarm water until the water runs clear.
4. Repeat if Necessary: Depending on the severity of the purple, you may need to repeat this process once or twice. However, don’t overdo it, as clarifying shampoos can be drying.
5. Deep Condition: After using a clarifying shampoo, your hair will likely feel a bit dry. Apply a deep conditioning treatment or hair mask to restore moisture and prevent further damage. Leave it on for the recommended time and rinse thoroughly.
6. Observe and Be Patient: The purple tone won’t disappear immediately with one wash. The clarifying shampoo will gradually fade the purple over several washes. Be patient and monitor your hair’s progress. It might take 2-4 washes to see significant lightening.

Pros: Gentle on the hair, minimal risk of further damage, gradually fades the purple.

Cons: Might take several washes to see results, may not be effective on very intense purple.

Method 2: The Vitamin C Treatment

Vitamin C is a natural bleaching agent and can be used to gently lift the purple pigment. This method is relatively mild and is a good alternative to harsh chemical treatments.

Steps:

1. Gather Your Supplies: You’ll need vitamin C tablets (not gummies), a non-metal bowl, a small amount of clarifying shampoo, and water.
2. Crush the Vitamin C Tablets: Use a pestle and mortar or a spoon to crush 5-10 vitamin C tablets into a fine powder. The number of tablets you need will depend on the length and thickness of your hair.
3. Create a Paste: In the non-metal bowl, mix the crushed vitamin C powder with a small amount of your clarifying shampoo and a little bit of water. Gradually add water to create a thick, paste-like consistency. The mixture should be easy to apply but not too runny.
4. Apply to Hair: Apply the vitamin C paste to your damp hair, focusing on the purple areas. Massage it into the hair, ensuring every strand is coated. You can also apply it to your entire head if needed.
5. Leave it On: Cover your hair with a shower cap and let the vitamin C paste sit for 30-60 minutes. The processing time will depend on the intensity of the purple. Check your hair every 15 minutes to avoid over-lightening.
6. Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water until all the vitamin C paste is removed. Ensure no residue is left behind.
7. Deep Condition: Follow up with a deep conditioning treatment to restore moisture and protect your hair. Leave the conditioner on for the recommended time and rinse.

Pros: Natural and gentle, relatively inexpensive, helps to lift pigment without harsh chemicals.

Cons: May not be effective on deep purple, might take multiple applications.

Method 3: The Color Remover Option

If the above methods don’t work, you can opt for a color remover. These products are designed to lift artificial hair dye and can be effective at removing purple tones. However, they can be harsher on the hair, so use with caution and always follow product instructions carefully.

Steps:

1. Choose the Right Color Remover: Select a color remover specifically formulated for semi-permanent or demi-permanent color, as most toners fall into these categories. Avoid bleach-based color removers unless you know your hair can tolerate it. Read reviews and choose a reputable brand.
2. Perform a Strand Test: Before applying the color remover all over, perform a strand test. Apply a small amount of the product to a hidden section of your hair (usually behind your ear) and follow the product’s instructions. This will help you assess how your hair will react to the product and give you an idea of the processing time needed.
3. Prepare Your Hair: Ensure your hair is dry and free from product buildup before applying the color remover. It’s helpful to section your hair to ensure even application.
4. Apply the Color Remover: Following the manufacturer’s instructions, apply the color remover to your hair, focusing on the purple areas. Make sure to saturate the hair evenly.
5. Process as Directed: Let the color remover process for the time specified on the packaging. Do not exceed this time, as this could cause damage. Monitor your hair regularly during processing.
6. Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water until all traces of the color remover are removed. This can take a few minutes.
7. Shampoo and Deep Condition: After rinsing, wash your hair with a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo and follow up with a deep conditioning treatment to replenish moisture.

Pros: More effective than clarifying shampoo or vitamin C on stubborn purple tones.

Cons: Can be damaging to the hair, needs to be done carefully, can leave the hair feeling dry.

Method 4: The Dish Soap Method (Use with Caution)

While this method is not as gentle as the others, some people find that dish soap can help strip hair color due to its high degreasing properties. This should be a last resort and used with extreme caution as it can be very drying.

Steps:

1. Choose a Mild Dish Soap: Opt for a basic dish soap without added dyes or perfumes. Avoid anything that claims to be extra moisturizing.
2. Apply and Massage: Wet your hair thoroughly and apply a small amount of dish soap to your hand. Gently massage the dish soap into your hair, focusing on the purple areas.
3. Lather and Rinse: Lather the soap well and leave it on for no more than 2-3 minutes. Rinse immediately with lukewarm water.
4. Repeat if Necessary: You can repeat this process once or twice, but be careful not to overdo it. Dish soap can dry out your hair significantly.
5. Deep Condition Immediately: After rinsing, apply a deep conditioner or a hair mask immediately to replenish moisture. Leave it on for the recommended time and rinse thoroughly.

Pros: May help remove color quickly.

Cons: Extremely drying and potentially damaging to the hair, use only as a last resort.

What to Do After Fixing the Purple

Once you’ve successfully removed or faded the purple tones, it’s crucial to take care of your hair and prevent future purple disasters. Here’s what to do:

• Deep Conditioning Treatments: Continue using deep conditioning treatments or hair masks regularly to keep your hair moisturized and healthy. Damaged hair is more prone to absorbing pigments unevenly.
• Color-Safe Products: Switch to color-safe shampoos and conditioners. These products are formulated to be gentler on colored hair and help prevent fading.
• Avoid Excessive Heat Styling: Limit the use of heat styling tools like straighteners and curling irons, as heat can contribute to dryness and damage, making your hair more porous.
• Use a Heat Protectant: If you must use heat styling tools, always apply a heat protectant spray beforehand to minimize damage.
• Regular Trims: Get regular trims to remove split ends and keep your hair healthy.

How to Prevent Purple Hair from Toner in the Future

Prevention is always better than cure. Here are some tips to avoid purple toner mishaps in the future:

• Start with Properly Lightened Hair: Ensure your hair is light enough before applying toner. The closer to your desired shade, the better. If your hair is too yellow, the toner will struggle to neutralize, potentially resulting in purple tones.
• Choose the Correct Toner: Select a toner that’s appropriate for your hair color and desired level of coolness. If your hair is very yellow, consider using a blue-based toner first to neutralize the yellow before using a violet-based toner.
• Do a Strand Test: Always perform a strand test before applying toner to your entire head. This will help you assess the processing time and how your hair will react.
• Follow the Instructions: Adhere to the processing times recommended on the toner packaging. Don’t leave it on for longer than necessary.
• Apply Evenly: Ensure even application of toner to avoid patchy or concentrated color. Use a tint brush to apply the product meticulously.
• Consider a Professional: If you’re unsure about toning your hair at home, consider seeking help from a professional hairstylist. They have the expertise and products to achieve your desired result safely and effectively.
• Check the Tone Regularly: During processing, check the tone of your hair every few minutes. If it starts to look too purple, rinse immediately.
• Use a Toner Diluter: You can dilute your toner with a clear developer if you find that the toner is too strong. This can help you achieve a more subtle result.

Conclusion

Dealing with purple hair from toner can be frustrating, but it’s not the end of the world! With the right methods and a little patience, you can restore your hair to your desired shade. Remember to start with gentle approaches like clarifying shampoos and vitamin C treatments, and only resort to color removers or dish soap as a last resort. Always prioritize the health of your hair, and don’t hesitate to consult a professional if you’re unsure. By following the tips and preventative measures outlined in this guide, you can avoid future purple hair woes and enjoy beautifully toned locks.