How to Get Yellow Out of Gray Hair

Hair yellowing, also called brassiness, can mess with your look and be quite frustrating. If you notice those yellow hairs popping up, start by switching to color-friendly hair products. Don’t be put off by their purple color, this will counteract the yellow tint. Talk with your stylist about dyeing strategies as well. In your everyday life, avoid exposing your hair to UV rays or smoking to keep your hair healthy.

Things You Should Know

Mix 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water with 1 tbsp (15 mL) of apple cider vinegar. Rinse your hair with the mixture every other week, then shower and condition as usual. Makeup and hair stylist Frankie Sanderson also recommends to “use purple shampoo once a week or once every other week.”

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Removing Yellowness in Your Hair

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1
Rinse your hair with vinegar. Get a large plastic bottle and fill it with 1 gallon (3.8 L) of tap water. Mix 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of apple cider vinegar into the water. Tilt your head over the bathroom sink or tub and rinse your hair with this mixture. Then, take a shower and shampoo and conditioner your hair as you usually do.
- Keep rinsing your hair off in the shower until it no longer smells of vinegar.
- The acidic elements of the vinegar will help to strip your hair of any yellow tints. However, don’t do this treatment more than every other week or your hair will dry out.
2
Use a color renewing shampoo and conditioner. Look for products that specifically state that they can preserve or save your current hair color. Some shampoos and conditioners are even designed for silver or gray hair in particular and have a purple tint to them. Follow the directions stated on the product exactly, as some are not designed for everyday use.^{[1]
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Research source} Most professional recommend using them every other week.
- Purple shampoo helps to counter the yellowing and brassy tones. These shampoos are readily available from beauty supply stores, as well as online.
- Be careful using colored shampoos or conditioners, as they can stain towels or shower curtains unless diluted by water.
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3
Style with a white-tinted finishing crème or serum. Squeeze a dime-sized amount of the crème on to your fingertips. Work the crème into your hair from ends to roots. Choose a crème that is advertised as a UV-protectant for even more benefits.^{[2]
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- Damage from the sun’s UV rays can gradually turn your hair yellowish and brittle.
- The easiest serums to use are those that double as styling products and can be left in throughout the day. The white tint of the serum helps to balance out any yellow tones.
4
Talk with your stylist about dyeing your hair. If you have hints of yellow peeking through your natural or colored hair, make an appointment with a stylist to discuss your options. They may suggest highlights to mask the yellow areas or a full-head color treatment. Blue or purple dye used very carefully and selectively might also help to neutralize the yellowish tones.^{[3]
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- Only allow a trusted stylist to work with your hair, if they are too heavy-handed with the dye you might end up with a blue tint. In most cases, this tint will fade after a few washes.
- If only your hair tips are yellowish, a good trim might do the trick, too.
5
Get a hair toner applied every 4-6 weeks. This is a low-ammonia color treatment, also called a gloss, that can be used in between your main hair coloring appointments. Your stylist or colorist will mix a color that suits your particular needs. The toner is quicker and easier that highlights or a full-color treatment.^{[4]
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- Many toners are also designed to deep conditioner your hair and restore any moisture that has leached out.
- A toner will only give you a subtle shift in color. It will not change your color entirely, but it can help to minimize yellow tones.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Treating Health-Related Yellowing

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Limit your consumption of beta-carotene-rich foods. If a food is orange or yellow in color, it’s likely high in the vitamin beta-carotene. While this vitamin is good for you, it can also cause your hair, and even your skin, to take on a similar tone. If your hair is yellowing, cut down the amount of carrots, sweet potatoes, cantaloupes, or winter squash that you eat.
- As a general rule, an adult should intake between 6-8 mgs of beta-carotene each day. This usually equates to about 5 servings of mixed fruits or vegetables. If you intake around 20 mgs of beta-carotene (equivalent of 3 large carrots) in a day, then you can see hair or skin yellowing.
2
Stop smoking. Talk to your doctor about strategies for quitting smoking. Consider using a nicotine patch or chewing gum as an alternative. The fumes and chemicals emitted from smoking can attach themselves to your porous hair and yellow it.^{[5]
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- Any type of product that emits a smoke, even if colorless, can alter the color and composition of your hair.
3
Talk with your doctor about any current medications. Certain medications can alter the appearance of your skin, hair, or nails. If you have yellowing hair and are taking prescription drugs, reach out to your doctor with your concerns. You’ll need to carefully describe when your hair started to change in color and texture.^{[6]
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- For example, you might say, “I noticed the first signs of brassiness about 3 weeks ago. My hair has felt pretty brittle since then, too.”
- Dithranol, a medication for psoriasis, is just one drug that can cause hair discoloration, among other side effects.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Preventing Yellowing Hair

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1
Put a hard water filter on your showerhead. If you suspect that your house has hard water, you can buy a filter for your shower faucet. Most of these filters screw right on to the showerhead itself. Then, as the water runs through the filter, it removes the extra mineral deposits.^{[7]
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- The mineral deposits can cause yellowing by attaching themselves to your hair.
- Signs of hard water include continually greasy or dirty-feeling hair, even after showering.
2
Wear a hat to protect your hair from UV rays. The sun’s UV rays can gradually bleach out your hair and turn it to a more yellow tone. If you know that you’ll be out in the sun for an extended time, wear a hat or carry a parasol or umbrella. If your hair feels brittle to the touch, then it’s getting too much sun.^{[8]
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- A tiny hat really won’t do the trick. Look for a floppy, large hat that covers your entire scalp and hair. Some hats are even woven with UV protectant fabrics. If you don't have a hat, try wrapping your hair in a cute scarf instead.
3
Stay away from chlorinated pool water. The chlorine in a pool acts as a type of bleach when your hair is exposed to it. It will pull the rich tones from your hair and replace them with lighter, brassier ones. When you do feel like a swim, cover your hair with a hair mask. Then, secure a bathing cap over the mask to keep everything protected and in place.^{[9]
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- If you swim without a cap or mask, just try to wash your hair off with a clarifying shampoo and conditioner as soon as possible. A clarifying shampoo will remove more of the chlorine from your hair than a regularly formulated shampoo.
- You can get a quality hair mask and bathing cap at your local drugstore.

Expert Q&A

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Question

What causes white hair to turn yellow?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Yellowing can be caused by oxidation from the sun. It can also be discoloration from hard water or product buildup.

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What is the best shampoo and conditioner for white hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Using something with a blue or violet tint can help keep your white hair vibrant. You should only use a tinted shampoo once a week.

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What does hydrogen peroxide do to your hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Hydrogen peroxide swells your hair, opening the cuticle. This can soften coarse hair and also break down pigment, lightening the hair.

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Tips

Ask a friend or family member to look closely at your hair. Have them tell you if they see any signs of yellow tinting. This will give you some idea as to the severity of the discoloration.

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Warnings

Be careful when using curling irons or applying other forms of heat to your hair. Sometimes high levels of heat can actually burn hair strands, making them look more yellow.

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