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From Unilever Beauty Experts

The back of a woman’s graying short hair.
Purple shampoo is mostly used to maintain bleached hair, but it can also help keep uban looking brighter.

Can Purple Shampoo Revive Your Uban?

Is it true that you can use purple shampoo to brighten gray hair? Check all the facts here, plus get tips on how to care for your uban.

December 28, 2024
Read Time: 1 Minutes

What Does Purple Shampoo Do to Gray Hair?>

Tips on Maintaining Uban with Purple Shampoo>

1. Consider your hair type before buying purple shampoo.>

2. Don’t overuse it.>

3. Condition your hair afterwards.>


Embracing uban or white hair can be empowering, daunting, and somewhat of a struggle. However, sun exposure, pollution, and even the minerals in your water can make those white strands look yellow-ish. The good news is that you can neutralize the brassiness with a purple shampoo – just as blondes do to maintain their locks.

What Does Purple Shampoo Do to Gray Hair?

Woman washing her hair with purple shampoo in the shower.
Purple shampoo works by neutralizing brassy tones, but it doesn’t lighten hair.

Purple shampoo works based on the principles of color theory – purple sits directly across from yellow on the color wheel. By depositing violet pigments onto the hair, it cancels out the unwanted brassiness of uban. In addition to color correction, purple shampoo also enhances the vibrancy and shine of your hair.

But what causes white hair to turn yellow in the first place? As you age, melanin production in the hair follicles slows down, causing your hair to gradually lose its pigment. Blue tones are the first to diminish, followed by the residual warm hues. This shift can result in a yellowish cast that makes your uban appear dull.

Moreover, the yellowness you notice in your uban can be amplified by external factors. Since uban hair lacks melanin, it’s more susceptible to oxidation from UV rays and pollution. The buildup of minerals from hard water, combined with exposure to heat from styling tools and oils from the scalp, further contributes to the yellowing effect.

Tips on Maintaining Uban with Purple Shampoo

Woman with short, graying hair smiling to the camera.
Use purple shampoo every other wash day and always follow up with a conditioner.

The great thing about using purple shampoo for white hair is it saves you time and money from frequent salon visits. One wash and your salt-and-pepper hair will look icier and bouncier. If you want to add purple shampoo to your haircare arsenal, here are a few tips to get the most out of it.

1. Consider your hair type before buying purple shampoo.

As hair ages, the oil glands in the hair follicles produce less sebum. This often results in tresses that feel wiry and brittle. In this case, look for a purple shampoo with a formula that provides hydration. Try TRESemmé Pro-Color Series Blonde Brilliance Shampoo, which features jojoba oil and Micro-Conditioning technology. It tones down brassy hues while keeping your hair smooth and shiny.

2. Don’t overuse it.

Purple shampoo is not meant for daily use. Let the product sit on your strands for two to five minutes before rinsing. On the days between applications, stick to a regular shampoo to remove dirt and buildup.

3. Condition your hair afterwards.

Graying hair needs all the moisture it can get, so it’s always a good idea to have a conditioner on your bathroom shelf. Give extra love to your mane with TRESemmé Pro-Color Series Blonde Brilliance Conditioner. Like its shampoo counterpart, this conditioner is enriched with jojoba oil and violet pigments to help brighten your uban. Adding a weekly hydrating hair mask to your routine can also promote healthier, stronger tresses.

Embracing uban can be a nerve-racking experience, especially when you’re unsure how to care for it. However, certain products can help make the process much more seamless. Take purple shampoo, for example; it’s a reliable tool that can help you feel more confident throughout the transition to full-on white hair.

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