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If you have bleached or blonde hair, you probably know the wonders of purple shampoo. While it may seem foolproof, it can go wrong very quickly and leave you with purple, gray/silver, or pastel hair. Which leaves you wondering how to remove purple shampoo quickly. In this guide on how to remove purple shampoo from hair, we discuss the best tips and tricks as well as how to use purple shampoo to avoid turning your hair purple.
What does purple shampoo do?
Purple shampoo is a type of shampoo designed to counteract unwanted yellow tones in bleached or lightly colored hair. It does this by adding purple/blue pigment deposits into the hair to counteract and neutralize any yellow or copper tinge in the hair.
And that sounds great and all, but does purple shampoo rub off? If you're here, you probably already know the answer to that and you're reading this post with some pretty purple shampoo stains in your hair.
While purple shampoo is a wonder product for people with bleached and blonde hair, you can easily get purple or gray hair if you don't use it properly. And if this has happened to you before, don't worry, it's probably happened to everyone at least once!
Luckily, I have some great tips on how to quickly remove purple shampoo stains from hair.
The purple shampoo turned my hair purple! Why is my hair purple after using the purple shampoo?
Coloring shampoos (which can be purple, blue, violet, or even green) can produce unexpected results if used improperly. Don't worry, it's actually quite a common problem and can be easily fixed.
And depending on the purple shampoo you use, getting purple hair can be really easy. Some of the purple shampoos on the market are insanely pigmented. How to pigment your hands, skin and anything else you touch.

So if purple shampoo turns your hair purple or gray, you may be wondering why the purple pigments in the shampoo are getting deposited on your hair. As you saw on the color wheel, purple is the opposite of yellow, so purple is used to remove unwanted yellow tones from hair, which is common in blondes and bleaching.
It's the same kind of scenario for other coloring shampoos. For example, blue shampoos are commonly useddiscolored hairor brown hair to eliminate orange tones.
If your hair has turned purple after using purple shampoo, it means that the shampoo has deposited too much blue pigment in your hair. This can have several reasons:
- You didn't rinse out the shampoo well
- Your hair is very porous and absorbs a lot of pigment.
- You use purple shampoo too often.
- You leave the purple shampoo in your hair for too long
- Your shampoo is too pigmented for your hair (generally only applies to those with level 9 or 10 hair and using an extremely pigmented shampoo like Fanola).
Can the purple shampoo be washed out?

Luckily, the purple stain in your hair is not permanent and will fade with every wash. But if you need to get that purple out of your hair asap, luckily there are a few things you can do to get the purple out of your hair, and more on that later.
And for those like me who only wash their hair once a week, it can take weeks for the purple shampoo to fully wear off. And who wants to spend weeks with unwanted purple hair? Unless of course you want your hair to be purple, which of course if you did you probably wouldn't be reading this.
The easiest way to remove purple shampoo from your hair is to simply let it fade naturally by washing it regularly with your regular shampoo. But if you're wondering the fastest way to remove purple shampoo from your hair, read on.
How to remove purple shampoo from hair
You just did your hair and it looks perfect, amazing and healthy. Your stylist sent you home with a purple shampoo to keep your color fresh. And then the mess happens.
Do you want to know how to quickly remove purple shampoo from your hair? Here's the ultimate guide to making that purple stain go away.
Keep in mind that many of these solutions can damage and dry out your hair, so you always want to give your hair a thorough condition and condition after you apply it.
wash with hot water
This opens the cuticle of the hair shaft and allows the pigment to escape. If you haveLow porosity hairYou can even try running hot water over your hair for a few minutes and then putting on a shower cap for 5-10 minutes to really open up the cuticles so that as much pigment as possible can be flushed out.
This can really help the purple fade faster, especially if you have low porosity hair.
Use a clarifying shampoo
If you want to get that purple shampoo out of your hair as quickly as possible, using a clarifying shampoo is the way to go. Clarifying shampoos are formulated to remove any product build-up and residue from your hair, which means they will also remove any pigment that may be left in your hair.
Keep in mind that depending on how much pigment has built up in your hair, it may take a few more washes to remove all purple stains.
And since clarifying shampoos can also strip your hair of its natural oils, be sure to use a deep conditioner afterwards. Or you could do a hot oil treatmentMarula oil or rosehip oil..
use detergent

Believe it or not, dish soap can actually be a great way to get purple shampoo out of your hair. It's a degreaser and will remove any oil or residue and take all that purple pigment with it.
You use it like a regular shampoo, but you only do it once or twice a day because your hair will likely feel like straw afterwards.
You can also lather your hair with the soap and leave it on for 5-10 minutes to try to remove as much pigment as possible.
Use baking soda
Baking soda is another great way to remove unwanted pigment and purple shampoo from your hair. You can mix it into your shampoo (about 1 tablespoon) or just apply it directly to your scalp and hair and leave it on for a few minutes, then shampoo.
Like the other methods, baking soda can be very drying to your hair, so rinse thoroughly and use a hair mask afterwards.
use lemon juice
Lemon juice is a natural lightener and will lighten any hair color, including purple. So, if you want to quickly remove that purple color from your hair, using lemon juice is definitely the way to go.
Simply mix equal parts lemon juice and water in a spray bottle and spray all over your hair, then leave on (the longer the better). Then rinse and wash as usual.
You can also mix lemon juice with a conditioner or hair mask to try to condition your hair at the same time.
The heat can help speed up the process, so you can also put on a shower cap and sit under a dryer.
Use paint remover
If all else fails and you just can't seem to get the purple shampoo out of your hair, then you may need to turn to a color remover.
Color removers are specially designed to remove hair dye and remove all pigment from the hair. So if your hair is completely covered in purple dye, this might be your only option.
Just remember that color removers are very harsh and can damage your hair, so be sure to use a deep conditioner afterwards. And definitely don't do this more than once or twice or you will really see the negative effects on your hair.
Bleach usually contains a small amount of bleach, so be aware that this could change the color of your hair if you're not careful. Always follow the instructions for the product you are using.
How to remove purple shampoo from hair: more tips
- Use Heat: Applying heat can help open up the cuticles and speed up the process of removing the purple shampoo from your hair. You can use a hair dryer, or put on a shower cap and sit under a dryer, or just wear a shower cap in the shower.
- Be patient: Depending on how much build-up and how light or dark your natural hair color is, it may take a few washes to remove all of the purple shampoo from your hair. Just be patient and try different methods until you find one that works best for you.
- Deep Conditioning – Using a deep conditioner using any of these methods will help replenish lost moisture and prevent further damage to your hair. You can use a store-bought conditioner or make your own using ingredients like coconut oil, avocado, honey, and eggs.
How long does it take for the purple shampoo to come out of your hair?

It really depends on the method you use, how light or dark your natural hair color is, and the porosity of your hair. Some hair types hold pigment more firmly than others.
But on average, it takes a few washes with a clarifying shampoo to completely remove all of the purple hue. And using a paint remover may take a few tries. So be patient and try different methods until you find one that works best for you.
And remember, you want to keep your hair healthy during this process, so be sure to brush and apply products gently, and be sure to use a deep conditioner or other type of treatment to get those oils and moisture back into your hair bring to.
How to use purple shampoo correctly
To prevent purple shampoo from staining your hair, you need to learn how to use purple shampoo properly.
- rinse hair
- Towel dried hair
- Apply purple shampoo
Focus on making sure you've covered your hair completely and evenly. The last thing you want is yellow stains and ash in your hair!
The key is to use it sparingly and not leave it on your hair for too long. Start by applying it to the roots of your hair and massaging it in. Then leave it on for 3-5 minutes before rinsing it out.
This is especially important if this is your first time using purple shampoo. You don't want to overuse! So try just 1-2 minutes if your hair is very light and go from there. If you find that you still see some yellow in your hair, let it sit for a few more minutes next time.
- rinse hair
- Condition
Mistakes to avoid when using purple shampoo
If you want to know how to remove purple shampoo from hair, you probably haven't used it correctly, that's why you are here. Here are some tips to keep in mind when using coloring shampoos.
Do not use it as a normal shampoo
It's called purple shampoo, you'd think to use it as regular shampoo, right? Well, actually, there are ways to use purple shampoo to get the best results (and avoid stains).
Apply to towel-dried hair and leave on for 3-5 minutes. If you apply the purple shampoo to soaked hair and immediately rinse it out, your hair will barely hold any pigment and you'll wonder why the heck it didn't do anything.
Using the shampoo on towel-dried hair allows the pigments to penetrate and lock into the hair to better neutralize yellow tones.
Keep in mind that depending on your hair type and color level, you may need to experiment with how long to leave it in. If you have high porosity level 9 hair, you can probably leave it on for a minute or two. But if you have low porosity hair with a level 6, you will probably need to leave it on for 5 minutes or more.
Don't abuse
Every time you use purple shampoo, it deposits pigment in your hair. Excessive use can cause your color to darken and look dull. Plus, it can change your color, taking you from that light, cool blonde to a darker blonde.
So, if you have used too much purple shampoo and are now wondering how to remove purple shampoo stains from your hair, you should follow the tips above.
Purple shampoo is not intended to replace your regular shampoo, so avoid using it daily, or even multiple times a week. If you wash your hair every day, you can probably use it once a week.
How to remove purple shampoo from hair: frequently asked questions
How do I remove purple shampoo from hair extensions?
Hair extensions are very popular and just like natural hair, sometimes you need to tone them to blend them into your hair and remove the brassiness. So if you have used purple shampoo on your extensions, you may be wondering how to remove purple shampoo from hair extensions. And thankfully, it's no different than the natural hair on your head!
You can remove purple shampoo from hair extensions the same way you remove purple shampoo from normal hair. Just follow the steps above.
Will baking soda remove purple shampoo?
Baking soda can remove purple shampoo. Of course, it's not a miracle treatment and it will likely take a few treatments to get rid of all purple stains from your hair.
What Happens If You Use Too Much Purple Shampoo?
If you use too much purple shampoo, your hair may darken and become more purple. You can also deposit too much pigment in your hair, making your color look dull. And if you use too much purple shampoo, you might even need a trip to the salon to bring your hair back to shine.
What happens if you leave the purple shampoo on for too long?
Leaving purple shampoo on for too long is often a recipe for disaster, especially for lighter-colored hair. It can make your hair darker, purple, and even blotchy. So be sure to follow the directions and only leave it on for 3-5 minutes!
Best ClarifyingShampoo ToRemovePurpleTint
Neutrogena exfoliating shampoo for healthy scalp clarify & shine
A longtime favorite for those looking for a good clarifying shampoo. This SLS-free shampoo still works wonders to remove unwanted purple hues from hair, adding shine and exfoliating the scalp for healthier-looking hair.
Ouai Detox-Shampoo
If you are trying to remove purple from purple shampoo you need a detoxifying shampoo and this is one of the best clarifying shampoos to remove unwanted color, oils, dirt and more for clean hair.
Shampoo Bumble & Bumble BB Sonntag
If you are looking for the best and most powerful clarifying shampoo to remove purple stains from your hair then this is for you. The HG, the OG, what you need. It purifies the hair, stimulates the scalp and removes unwanted purple pigments, leaving hair feeling fresh, clean and smooth.
How to remove purple shampoo from hair: fastener
Purple shampoo is a great product to use if you are looking for a way to liven up your hair. The key is to follow the directions and leave it on long enough for it to set down pigment in your strands. It's also important not to use purple shampoos too often or you'll end up with darker, duller, even purple hair! If you are wondering how to remove purple shampoo from hair, here are the best tips on how to remove purple shampoo from hair without damaging it.
Related to How to remove purple shampoo from hair:
- Purple Shampoo Vs Blue Shampoo: What's the Difference?
- Can you use purple shampoo on brown hair?