Are you tired of dealing with unwanted orange tones after dyeing your hair? You’re not alone. Many people struggle with this issue, and it’s not just a matter of using the wrong hair dye. There are several underlying reasons why your hair might be turning orange, and understanding the science behind it can help you achieve the color you want.
The Chemistry of Hair Dye
To understand why your hair turns orange when you dye it, you need to know a bit about the chemistry of hair dye. Hair dye is made up of several components, including:
- Chromophores: These are the color-producing molecules in hair dye. They absorb certain wavelengths of light and reflect others, resulting in the color we see.
- Alkalizers: These are ingredients that help to open up the hair cuticle and allow the chromophores to penetrate.
- Moisturizers: These are ingredients that help to hydrate and condition the hair.
When you apply hair dye to your hair, the chromophores penetrate the hair shaft and bind to the keratin protein. The alkalizers help to open up the cuticle and allow the chromophores to penetrate more easily. The moisturizers help to hydrate and condition the hair, leaving it feeling soft and smooth.
The Role of Warm and Cool Tones
One of the main reasons why hair turns orange when it’s dyed is because of the presence of warm and cool tones. Warm tones are those that have a yellow or golden base, while cool tones are those that have a blue or purple base. When you mix warm and cool tones together, you can create a range of different colors.
However, when you’re trying to achieve a cool, ashy blonde color, the presence of warm tones can be a problem. This is because the warm tones can cancel out the cool tones, resulting in an unwanted orange or brassy color.
Warm Tones in Hair Dye
Warm tones are often present in hair dye, particularly in those that are designed to produce a golden or honey-blonde color. These dyes typically contain a high concentration of warm chromophores, which can penetrate the hair shaft and bind to the keratin protein.
However, even if you’re using a cool-toned hair dye, there can still be warm tones present. This is because many hair dyes contain a small amount of warm chromophores, which can help to enhance the color and make it more vibrant.
Cool Tones in Hair Dye
Cool tones, on the other hand, are often present in hair dyes that are designed to produce a cool, ashy blonde color. These dyes typically contain a high concentration of cool chromophores, which can help to cancel out any warm tones and produce a more neutral color.
However, even if you’re using a cool-toned hair dye, there can still be warm tones present in your hair. This is because many people’s hair has a natural warm tone, particularly if they have a lot of red or yellow pigment in their hair.
The Reasons Why Your Hair Turns Orange
So, why does your hair turn orange when you dye it? There are several reasons why this might happen, including:
- Warm tones in the hair dye: As we discussed earlier, warm tones can be present in hair dye, particularly in those that are designed to produce a golden or honey-blonde color.
- Warm tones in the hair: Many people’s hair has a natural warm tone, particularly if they have a lot of red or yellow pigment in their hair.
- Insufficient cool tones: If you’re trying to achieve a cool, ashy blonde color, you may need to use a hair dye that contains a high concentration of cool chromophores. If the dye doesn’t contain enough cool tones, the warm tones can cancel them out, resulting in an unwanted orange or brassy color.
- Over-processing the hair: When you over-process your hair, you can cause the cuticle to lift and the warm tones to become more visible. This can result in an unwanted orange or brassy color.
- Using the wrong developer
The developer is the ingredient in hair dye that helps to activate the chromophores and allow them to penetrate the hair shaft. If you’re using the wrong developer, you can end up with an unwanted orange or brassy color.
- 20 volume developer: This is a high-lift developer that is designed to produce a lot of lift and deposit a lot of color. However, it can also cause the warm tones to become more visible, resulting in an unwanted orange or brassy color.
- 10 volume developer: This is a lower-lift developer that is designed to produce a more subtle color. However, it may not be enough to cancel out the warm tones, resulting in an unwanted orange or brassy color.
How to Prevent Your Hair from Turning Orange
So, how can you prevent your hair from turning orange when you dye it? Here are a few tips:
- Choose a hair dye that is formulated for your hair type: If you have warm-toned hair, look for a hair dye that is formulated to cancel out warm tones. If you have cool-toned hair, look for a hair dye that is formulated to enhance cool tones.
- Use a cool-toned hair dye: If you’re trying to achieve a cool, ashy blonde color, use a hair dye that contains a high concentration of cool chromophores.
- Avoid using warm-toned hair dye: If you’re trying to achieve a cool, ashy blonde color, avoid using warm-toned hair dye. Instead, look for a hair dye that is formulated to cancel out warm tones.
- Use a lower volume developer: If you’re using a high-lift developer, try switching to a lower volume developer. This can help to reduce the amount of lift and deposit less color, resulting in a more subtle color.
- Avoid over-processing the hair: When you over-process your hair, you can cause the cuticle to lift and the warm tones to become more visible. To avoid this, try to minimize the amount of time you leave the hair dye on your hair.
Color-Correcting Products
If you’ve already dyed your hair and it’s turned orange, there are several color-correcting products you can use to help neutralize the warm tones. These products typically contain a high concentration of cool chromophores, which can help to cancel out the warm tones and produce a more neutral color.
Some popular color-correcting products include:
- Toner: A toner is a type of hair dye that is designed to deposit a small amount of color onto the hair shaft. Toners can be used to help neutralize warm tones and produce a more cool, ashy blonde color.
- Color deposit treatment: A color deposit treatment is a type of hair treatment that is designed to deposit a small amount of color onto the hair shaft. These treatments can be used to help neutralize warm tones and produce a more cool, ashy blonde color.
- Color-correcting shampoo and conditioner: Some shampoos and conditioners are formulated to help neutralize warm tones and produce a more cool, ashy blonde color. These products typically contain a high concentration of cool chromophores, which can help to cancel out the warm tones and produce a more neutral color.
Conclusion
Dyeing your hair can be a bit of a gamble, particularly if you’re trying to achieve a cool, ashy blonde color. However, by understanding the science behind hair dye and the reasons why your hair might turn orange, you can take steps to prevent it from happening. Remember to choose a hair dye that is formulated for your hair type, use a cool-toned hair dye, and avoid using warm-toned hair dye. Additionally, be careful not to over-process your hair, and consider using color-correcting products to help neutralize any warm tones that may be present. With a little bit of knowledge and planning, you can achieve the hair color you want and avoid the unwanted orange tones.
What causes my hair to turn orange when I dye it?
When you dye your hair, the color you achieve is determined by the interaction between the dye molecules and the pigment in your hair. Hair contains two types of melanin: eumelanin, which produces brown and black colors, and pheomelanin, which produces red and yellow colors. If your hair has a high concentration of warm-toned melanin, it can cause the dye to turn orange or brassy. This is especially true if you’re trying to achieve a cool-toned color, such as ash blonde or platinum.
The other factor that contributes to orange hair is the presence of warm tones in the dye itself. Some hair dyes, especially those that contain high levels of red or yellow pigment, can cause the hair to turn orange or brassy. This is because the warm tones in the dye react with the warm-toned melanin in the hair, resulting in an unwanted orange color. To avoid this, it’s essential to choose a dye that is formulated to neutralize warm tones and achieve the desired cool-toned color.
How can I prevent my hair from turning orange when I dye it?
To prevent your hair from turning orange when you dye it, it’s crucial to choose the right dye and follow the correct application process. Start by selecting a dye that is formulated for your hair type and desired color. If you’re trying to achieve a cool-toned color, look for a dye that contains blue or purple pigment, which can help to neutralize warm tones. It’s also essential to perform a strand test before applying the dye to your entire head, as this will allow you to see how the color will turn out and make any necessary adjustments.
In addition to choosing the right dye, it’s also important to follow the correct application process. This includes using a pre-color treatment to open up the hair cuticle and allow the dye to penetrate evenly, as well as using a toner to adjust the color and achieve the desired shade. It’s also essential to follow the instructions carefully and avoid over-processing the hair, as this can cause damage and lead to unwanted color results.
What is the difference between warm-toned and cool-toned hair?
Warm-toned hair is characterized by a high concentration of warm-toned melanin, which produces red and yellow colors. This type of hair tends to have a golden or honey-blonde color and can be prone to turning orange or brassy when dyed. Cool-toned hair, on the other hand, has a high concentration of cool-toned melanin, which produces blue and purple colors. This type of hair tends to have a ash-blonde or platinum color and can be more challenging to dye, as it can be prone to turning green or blue.
The difference between warm-toned and cool-toned hair is essential to understand when it comes to dyeing your hair. If you have warm-toned hair and want to achieve a cool-toned color, you’ll need to use a dye that is formulated to neutralize warm tones and achieve the desired cool-toned color. Conversely, if you have cool-toned hair and want to achieve a warm-toned color, you’ll need to use a dye that is formulated to enhance warm tones and achieve the desired warm-toned color.
Can I use a toner to fix orange hair?
Yes, a toner can be used to fix orange hair. A toner is a type of color corrector that can be applied to the hair to adjust the color and achieve the desired shade. If your hair has turned orange or brassy, a toner can be used to neutralize the warm tones and achieve a cooler, more ashy color. There are many different types of toners available, including purple-based toners, blue-based toners, and green-based toners, each of which can be used to achieve a specific color result.
When using a toner to fix orange hair, it’s essential to choose the right type of toner for your hair type and desired color. If you’re trying to achieve a cool-toned color, a purple-based toner may be the best option, as it can help to neutralize warm tones and achieve a more ashy color. It’s also essential to follow the instructions carefully and avoid over-processing the hair, as this can cause damage and lead to unwanted color results.
How can I maintain my hair color and prevent it from fading?
To maintain your hair color and prevent it from fading, it’s essential to use color-protecting products and follow a regular maintenance routine. This includes using a color-protecting shampoo and conditioner, as well as a color-depositing treatment once a week. It’s also essential to avoid using hot water, which can cause the color to fade, and to use a color-protecting spray or serum to help lock in the color.
In addition to using color-protecting products, it’s also essential to avoid exposing your hair to the sun, which can cause the color to fade. If you’re going to be outside, use a hat or a hair product with SPF to help protect your hair from the sun’s rays. It’s also essential to touch up your roots regularly to maintain the color and prevent it from fading.
Can I dye my hair at home, or should I go to a salon?
While it’s possible to dye your hair at home, it’s often recommended to go to a salon, especially if you’re trying to achieve a specific color result. A professional stylist has the training and experience to help you choose the right dye and achieve the desired color, and they can also help to prevent any unwanted color results. Additionally, a salon has access to a wide range of professional hair dyes and color correctors, which can be used to achieve a more precise color result.
If you do decide to dye your hair at home, it’s essential to follow the instructions carefully and perform a strand test before applying the dye to your entire head. This will allow you to see how the color will turn out and make any necessary adjustments. It’s also essential to use a high-quality dye and follow the recommended application process to achieve the best results.
What are some common mistakes to avoid when dyeing my hair?
One of the most common mistakes to avoid when dyeing your hair is over-processing the hair, which can cause damage and lead to unwanted color results. This can happen when you leave the dye on for too long or use too much dye, so it’s essential to follow the instructions carefully and perform a strand test before applying the dye to your entire head. Another common mistake is not using a pre-color treatment, which can help to open up the hair cuticle and allow the dye to penetrate evenly.
Other common mistakes to avoid when dyeing your hair include not choosing the right dye for your hair type and desired color, not following the instructions carefully, and not using a toner to adjust the color and achieve the desired shade. It’s also essential to avoid using hot water, which can cause the color to fade, and to use color-protecting products to help maintain the color and prevent it from fading.