Why Does My Hair Turn Orange?
If you’ve bleached, dyed, or tried to lighten your hair only to find an unpleasant orange tint staring back at you in the mirror, you’re not alone.
Brassy, orange hair can be an unpleasant surprise, especially when you’re aiming for chic platinum, ashy blonde, or a lighter shade. The good news? You’re not doomed to live with unwanted orange hair forever.
Understanding why your hair turns orange and knowing how to fix or prevent it is the key to achieving your desired color.
From pigments to products, this guide will explain the science behind orange hair, what may be causing it, and most importantly, how to fix it or keep it from happening in the future.
Why Does Hair Turn Orange? The Science Behind It
Before jumping into solutions, it’s essential to understand the root cause of orange hair. The color we see in our hair depends on a combination of factors, including natural pigments, chemical processes, and external influences.
1. Natural Hair Pigments
Human hair contains two primary pigments:
Eumelanin: Responsible for black or brown tones in hair.
Pheomelanin: Responsible for red or yellow tones.
When you bleach or lighten your hair, the process strips away eumelanin and pheomelanin to reveal underlying pigments. For most people, the underlying pigments are warm, ranging from red to orange to yellow. Darker hair has more red and orange pigments, whereas lighter hair has more yellow pigments.
If bleach or lightener doesn’t lift enough of the underlying pigments, the result is often an orange tone instead of the desired blonde shade.
2. Incomplete Lightening
Going lighter doesn’t happen all at once. Hair lightens in stages:
- Black → Brown → Red → Orange → Yellow → Pale Yellow If bleach isn’t left on long enough or isn’t strong enough, it stops at the orange stage, leaving you with brassy tones.
3. Hair Dye Chemistry
When using box dyes or at-home coloring, results can be unpredictable. Without proper toning or color balancing, dye can interact with your hair’s natural pigments and create an orange or brassy appearance, especially if you’re trying to lighten your color.
4. Mineral Buildup
Environmental factors, such as hard water, can also contribute to orange tones. Minerals like iron and copper in water can deposit on your hair and mix with natural or dyed pigments, resulting in a brassy or orange tint over time.
5. Oxidation
Hair color naturally oxidizes when exposed to air, sunlight, and other environmental factors. Over time, this can cause your color to fade or shift, revealing warmer, orange tones underneath.
6. Improper Color Choice
When dyeing dark hair lighter, skipping a required toner or using a color incompatible with your undertones can lead to an undesirable orange cast.
How to Prevent Hair from Turning Orange
Prevention is always better than cure, so here’s how to avoid ending up with orange or brassy hair in the first place.
1. Start with Realistic Expectations
If you’re starting with dark brown or black hair, understand that going blonde is a process that takes time, expertise, and patience. Trying to lighten too quickly or skipping necessary steps increases the risk of brassiness.
2. Choose the Right Developer
When bleaching or lightening hair, the developer you use plays a significant role in the final result. Developers come in different volumes (10, 20, 30, and 40), and selecting the wrong one can lead to incomplete lifting.
For darker hair, use a 30-volume developer to ensure it lifts enough pigment.
If you’re only slightly lightening, a 20-volume developer may be sufficient.
3. Use High-Quality Products
Professional-grade bleaching kits, toners, and hair dyes are less likely to cause odd color results compared to cheaper box dyes. If you’re unsure, consult with a stylist.
4. Tone Your Hair
Toners are essential for neutralizing orange or yellow undertones after bleaching. Toners use complementary colors (like blue or purple) to cancel out warmth:
Blue Toner: Cancels out orange tones.
Purple Toner: Cancels out yellow tones.
5. Protect Your Hair from Hard Water
Install a shower filter to reduce minerals in your water. You can also use a clarifying shampoo once a week to remove buildup.
6. Avoid Overusing Heat
Frequent use of heat tools, like flat irons or curling wands, can accelerate color oxidation and bring out warm undertones. Use heat-styling tools sparingly and always apply a heat protectant.
7. Shield Hair from the Sun
Overexposure to UV rays can break down hair color, allowing brassy tones to shine through. Wear a hat or use a UV-protectant spray when spending time outdoors.
8. Rinse Hair with Cool Water
Hot water opens up your hair cuticles, causing color to fade faster. Always rinse with cool or lukewarm water to lock in pigment.
How to Fix Orange Hair
Already dealing with orange tones? Don’t worry! Here’s how to fix and tone down unwanted brassiness.
1. Use a Blue Shampoo
Blue neutralizes orange on the color wheel, making blue shampoos your first line of defense. Here’s how to use them:
- Substitute your regular shampoo with a blue-tinted one.
- Apply the shampoo to wet hair and leave it on for 2-5 minutes before rinsing.
- Use once or twice a week to gradually tone down orange tones.
For hair with more yellow tones, opt for purple shampoo instead.
2. Apply a Toner
If blue shampoo isn’t enough, a professional toner can work wonders. Toners are usually applied with a developer and cancel out underlying pigments for a more natural look. For orange hair, choose a blue-based toner.
3. Go a Shade Darker
If you’re not achieving the blonde look you’re after, darkening your hair slightly can minimize orange tones. Opt for an ash brown or dark blonde, as the cool undertones will neutralize warmth.
4. Do a Color-Correcting Treatment
Professional color glosses or glazing treatments can neutralize orange tones while leaving your hair shiny and refreshed. These are often available at salons but can also be purchased for at-home use.
5. Clarify Your Hair
When mineral buildup is the culprit, a clarifying shampoo or chelating treatment will remove heavy deposits and restore your hair’s color.
6. Bleach and Tone (If Necessary)
If you’re committed to going lighter, you may need to repeat the bleaching process to lift your hair beyond the orange stage. Always follow up with a toner to neutralize unwanted warmth.
7. Try DIY Remedies
If you prefer natural methods, you can try:
Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse: Mix apple cider vinegar with water and apply to your hair to help balance pH and reduce orange tones.
Baking Soda and Blue Food Coloring: Combine these ingredients to create a DIY toner.
8. Seek Professional Help
Sometimes, correcting orange hair requires expert skills. If you’re unsure how to proceed or want to avoid further damage, head to a salon and consult with a colorist.
Long-Term Tips for Maintaining Your Perfect Color
Once you’ve fixed orange hair, follow these tips to maintain your ideal shade:
Invest in Color-Safe Products: Use shampoos and conditioners designed for dyed or bleached hair.
Limit Washing: Overwashing strips color quickly. Extend time between washes with a dry shampoo.
Tone Regularly: Repeat toning treatments every 4-6 weeks to keep brassiness at bay.
Protect During Swimming: Wear a swim cap or apply coconut oil beforehand to shield hair from chlorinated or salty water.
Final Thoughts
Hair turning orange can feel frustrating, but with the right knowledge and tools, you can prevent and fix the issue without breaking a sweat. Always remember that healthy hair is easier to color and maintain, so invest in nourishing treatments, use professional-grade products, and protect your locks from unnecessary damage.
Whether you’re aiming for platinum blonde, soft ash tones, or a neutral hue, taking the time to care for your hair properly will help you achieve the color of your dreams.
Don’t give up! You’ve got this. Bright, beautiful hair is just a few steps away.
