Why is My Pink Hair Turning Orange?

Yes, pink hair dye can turn orange over time. This unfortunate color change happens due to a variety of factors like improper bleaching, hair porosity issues, fading from shampooing and sun exposure, and brassiness interacting with the pink pigments.

This article will examine the reasons pink hair turns orange and how to prevent it. We’ll look at factors like bleaching, hair porosity, hair care routines, and environmental damage that cause the color shift. Tips will be provided on choosing the right dyes, bleaching properly, using color-protecting products, and avoiding heat styling.

Finally, solutions will be given for how to fix orange hair that has already occurred. This includes over-toning with pink dye, using purple shampoo to neutralize brassiness, and getting a professional salon color correction. We’ll also look at how long to wait before re-coloring hair when the color goes wrong.

The article provides detailed information to help readers understand why pink hair fades to orange and how to troubleshoot or prevent the issue. With the right hair care and coloring techniques, vibrant pink hair can maintain its beautiful brightness.

Factors that Can Contribute to Orange Hair

There are several reasons pink hair color can shift to orange:

• Bleaching – Pre-lightening hair with bleach is essential for vivid hair dye to show up properly. But bleaching too light or unevenly can lead to brassiness. Orange undertones in bleached hair interact with pink dye, causing it to turn orange.
• Hair Porosity – Porous hair easily absorbs dye but doesn’t hold the color well. The cuticles lift and allow dye to fade out quickly. This fading can reveal orange undertones. Low porosity hair can have the opposite effect, trapping orange tones.
• Hair Care Routine – Frequent shampooing, especially with clarifying or anti-dandruff shampoos, can strip pink color rapidly. Heat styling also accelerates fading. And buildup from heavy conditioners or oils can mix with the dye.
• Environmental Factors – Sun exposure, hard water minerals, chlorine, and pollution all degrade pink hair dye. The damaged color molecules reveal brassy orange hues.

How to Prevent Orange Hair

You can take steps to avoid pink hair turning orange:

• Choose the Right Pink Dye – Go for a vivid, intense pink shade like magenta. Pastels and neon pinks fade more quickly. Use a salon-quality and semi-permanent formula for long-lasting color.
• Bleach Properly – Bleach hair slowly and evenly to a pale yellow, not gold. Use a toner like Wella Color Charm to neutralize brassiness.
• Use the Right Products – Sulfate-free shampoos, color-protecting conditioners, and weekly toning treatments extend pink color. Avoid heat styling.

How to Fix Orange Hair

If your pink hair has already turned orange, here are solutions:

• Over-tone: Apply a concentrated semi-permanent pink dye in the same shade to refresh color. Focus on the most orange parts first.
• Use Purple Shampoo: The violet pigments in purple shampoo neutralize brassy orange tones. Leave it on 5-10 minutes 1-2 times per week.
• Get it Re-dyed: Book a salon appointment to have your hair re-colored professionally. They can first tone out the orange then apply fresh pink dye.

Does Pink Hair Fade to Orange?

Yes, it’s very common for vivid pink hair dye to fade into peachy orange tones over time. This happens as the bright pink color molecules are damaged and washed out, revealing the brassy undertones. To keep pink hair from becoming orange, use fade-resistant dyes, purple toning products, and protective hair care routines.

What Happens if You Use Blue Shampoo on Pink Hair?

Using a blue shampoo on pink hair can give it unexpected results. Blue shampoo is formulated to cancel out brassiness in blonde hair. But on pink hair, the blue pigments will mix with the pink and turn it a muted, muddy tone. It will also speed up fading of the pink color.

How Soon Can I Recolor My Hair if I Don’t Like the Color?

It’s best to wait at least 2-3 weeks before recoloring hair again if you don’t like the results. Chemical dyeing and bleaching damages hair, so you need to give it time to recover before subjecting it to more chemicals. You can use semi-permanent color toners after a week if the color just needs a quick refresh. But significant color changes should wait a few weeks for hair to rebuild strength and porosity.