This is why platinum hair or bleached hair turns green, how to fix it and avoid it.

It is the dull, mossy, yucky kind of green you get. Even real blonde heads experience this problem. Even if you hair had not been bleached or chemically treated, constant exposure to chlorinated water, be it from a swimming pool or community water supply, can make the hair porous and susceptible to turning green eventually.


Don't let chlorine or hard water turn these beautiful strands brassy

 

Not only did hard water turn my hair brassy, there are strands that are visibly greenish

How to fix "Green Hair"

• See a hairstylist. This is obviously the easiest and the safest thing to do and these professionals would know how to fix it. The down side is that it costs money, so one is compelled to try a few DIY remedies.
• Use clarifying shampoo. This type of shampoo should clear your hair of mineral deposits. However, you have to take note that using clarifying shampoo too often can dry your hair so be sure to use conditioner.
• Some suggest using red-based toner or ketchup. I did not bother to do this because there some videos on YouTube that show this does not work. On the other hand, some do claim that it works so feel free to try it on your own.
• Use baking Soda and hydrogen peroxide. I made a mixture of 1 part baking soda and 1 part hydrogen peroxide. I mixed it with shampoo and massaged it all over my head for a few minutes and let it stay for a while. It worked in one wash but it did not remove the dullness not to mention that it made my hair super dry. Also, it stripped my hair of the toner that I previously used. Before doing this, I suggest you take a few strands of your hair and test it. Better safe than sorry.

This strand of hair was green. The lighter area is the portion where I rubbed the mixture. The greenish color was indeed removed but the strands became yellow because the mixture also removed the toner.

• Others suggest using apple cider vinegar rinse. I did not try this one.
• Bleach wash. I was impatient so I did a bleach wash the next day. A bleach wash is basically bleach and developer, the same one you use to bleach hair, but diluted with lots of shampoo and conditioner. I put it on my hair and let it stay for 10 minutes tops. It worked for me because I know my own hair. However, please do your research first and do a strand test. Use this method with caution. By the way, people also use bleach wash to remove hair color. Don't forget to follow up with deep conditioning



My hair after a bleach wash. The green tinge is gone. Again, my toner was also gone. My hair is back to being yellow and it needs to be toned again.

How to avoid getting green hair

• Shampoo hair right after getting out of the pool.--Come on, it is summer, can you really say no to swimming? You may use a swim cap or saturate your hair with conditioner before going into the pool--just to be safe.
• Use clarifying shampoo at least once a week. Take note that it can make your hair dry and speed up the fading of semi-permanent dyes as it strips hair of mineral deposits. Read instructions and use mild clarifying shampoo.
• Shampoo or wet hair 2-3 times a week only, those who have bleached their hair know why :) wink wink
• Also take note, that the color of your hair mask can affect the tone of your hair. remember that bleached hair is like a blank canvas. I once used an egg mask and guess what it did to my hair...
• Regularly visit your stylist--it can be a costly BUT it is your safest option--especially if your hairstylist is an expert.
• For those who have platinum or blonde hair, whether you are the real deal or you have achieved it by bleaching, you DEFINITELY need purple shampoo. Whatever brand you use, it is up to you. However, choose the one that protects your hair from mineral deposits.
  
  Also take note that a purple shampoo does not automatically tone hair, there are some that do, but purples shampoos mainly keep the hair from turning brassy in between salon visits. I recently got Davines' Alchemic Silver Shampoo. It now protects my hair from becoming discolored due to hard water that is coming from the shower.
  
  This brand is quite difficult to find locally. I have seen it in Amazon and other similar sites. So, I got mine from Alexa's Salon Therapeutique, a salon here that  specializes in hair bleaching, balayage, blonde and funky hair colors, as well as different kinds of hair treatments. They sell many imported hair products at reasonable prices.

Got more tips? Please share. Until next post...