What to Do If Your Bleach-Blonde Hair Turns Green

One of the riskiest things you can do to your hair is treat it with bleach. The process turns dark hair blonde by stripping pigment (melanin) from the hair shaft. Hydrogen peroxide is the most common oxidizing agent for bleaching, and it works by lifting the hair cuticle, which puts your strands at risk of dryness, frizz, and breakage. This makes caring for bleach-blonde hair extra challenging.

As if the risks mentioned above weren’t concerning enough, bleached hair can also turn different colors – and not the cute Hayley Williams kind. Because of the absence of pigments, even the slightest changes in hues can be noticeable. Your bleach-blonde hair can turn green, orange, or even pink!

Did you know that the Statue of Liberty wasn’t always green? The statue's exterior was built out of copper sheets, which have turned green over time due to oxidation. The same thing can happen when bleach-blonde hair interacts with copper (not chlorine!), usually from contact with pool water and sometimes tap water. It’s an actual condition called chlorotrichosis.

According to the American Water Quality Health Council, swimming pools contain copper sulfate to help control water quality and algae. Copper can also contaminate the pool from connected metal plumbing. The more damaged the hair – whether from bleaching or excessive sun exposure – the greener it gets when exposed to these copper particles.

Wear a swimming cap to keep your bleach-blonde hair from turning green when in pools. Use a shampoo like TRESemmé Pro-Color Series Color Radiance Shampoo. It deposits a protective coating on the strands to prevent washing out hair dyes. Some clarifying shampoos can also help remove copper deposits to minimize discoloration. If all else fails, visit your hair stylist for a touch-up.

Here’s another reason to go to a reputable salon for hair bleaching: you could end up with orange or pink hair if you DIY. Dark hair can have dark brown or reddish undertones – you end up with orange or pink hair if the bleach does not lift all these pigments from your strands. They can get brassier over time if left untreated. Professional colorists know exactly how to process your locks to get all the color out. They will also use hair toner to give you a nice, bright blonde.

Bleached hair can still be healthy with extra care. Since it’s already brittle and prone to damage, avoid exposure to hot water, tight hair accessories, and heat from styling tools. If these can’t be avoided, make sure to condition your locks after every shampoo and use a hair mask once a week.

Try TRESemmé Pro-Color Series Blonde Brilliance Shampoo and TRESemmé Pro-Color Series Blonde Brilliance Conditioner. They use Purple Keratin Complex to deposit violet pigments into the hair shaft to neutralize brassiness, and jojoba oil to nourish each strand.

Finally, make regular appointments with your stylist for touch-ups, treatments, and trims to keep your bleach-blonde hair soft, shiny, and strong. Don’t let the threat of green locks keep you from achieving your dream hair color. Just remember to go blonde responsibly and you’ll be alright.