What Color Cancels Out Pink in Hair? A Guide to Neutralizing Pink Tones

Have you ever dyed your hair a fun, bold pink only to later wish you could go back to your natural color? Or maybe you bleached your hair blonde and were surprised when it turned a bright pink instead!

Whatever the reason, pink hair can be super fun for a while, but there comes a time when you’re ready to get back to your roots. So what color cancels out pink hair?

The good news is, there are a few effective ways to neutralize and remove pink hair dye. In this guide, we’ll explain exactly what color cancels pink, walk through the best methods, and cover some tips for protecting your strands in the process.

What Colors Neutralize Pink?

To understand how to cancel out pink hair, you first need to understand color theory.

Specifically, the key is to use a color that is opposite pink on the color wheel. Colors that are directly across from each other on the wheel will neutralize one another.

For pink hair, the main color tones are red and magenta. So what is the opposite of red on the color wheel?

Green!

Green is the main color that will cancel out and neutralize pink tones in hair. Green contains tons of blue tones, which are the opposite of pink and red.

There are a few different green options you can use:

• Green hair dye or toner
• Green shampoo
• Blue shampoo
• Green food coloring

So if you want to go from pink to blonde, brunette, gray, or anything in between, applying a green coloring agent is the trick.

Methods to Remove Pink Hair Dye

Now that you know green neutralizes pink, here are the best ways to use it:

Green Hair Dye or Toner

One of the fastest ways to cancel out pink hair is by using a green semi-permanent hair dye or toner. These deposit green pigments directly onto the hair to neutralize red undertones.

How to use:

• Choose a green shade that matches your level of pinkness. Light pink needs light green, and so on.
• Apply the dye or toner following the instructions.
• Leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
• Rinse until the water runs clear.

Green dye provides instant results, but be careful not to leave it on too long or you could end up with green hair. Do a strand test first to check the timing.

Green Shampoo

Green shampoo is a gentle way to gradually neutralize pink tones each time you wash your hair. The green pigment attaches to the reddish molecules in the dye to tone it down over time.

How to use green shampoo:

• Wet hair and lather on the shampoo.
• Let it sit for 5 minutes.
• Rinse thoroughly.

Use green shampoo a few times a week until your hair is free of pink tones. This is less risky than dye because you can stop when you reach the desired result.

Baking Soda and Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

As an alternative to green shampoo, you can make your own hair-stripping shampoo at home using baking soda and dandruff shampoo.

The baking soda works to lift color from the hair gently but effectively while the dandruff shampoo’s sulfates further strip the dye molecules.

How to mix:

• Combine 2 tablespoons baking soda with 1 tablespoon anti-dandruff shampoo.
• Add more baking soda if you have long or thick hair.
• Massage into damp hair. Let sit 5 minutes.
• Rinse and condition well after.

Use this treatment 1-2 times per week until the pink fades. It may cause some dryness, so use a hair mask after.

Vitamin C Treatment

Crushing up vitamin C tablets into a hair mask is an easy at-home method for fading dyes like pink. The acidic vitamin C helps break down color molecules.

How to apply:

• Crush 5-10 vitamin C tablets into a fine powder.
• Mix the powder with enough hot water to form a paste.
• Apply it to dry hair, coating every strand.
• Put on a shower cap and let sit for 1-2 hours.
• Shampoo out and condition after.

Vitamin C is gentle but effective. Repeat the treatment once a week until the pink is gone.

Bleach

Using bleach is the most aggressive way to strip pink color from hair. Bleach penetrates the hair shaft to fully remove pigment.

However, over-bleaching is extremely damaging, so this should be a last resort if your hair can tolerate it.

How to bleach:

• Get your hair wet and apply bleach according to the instructions, focusing on the most vibrant areas.
• Leave it on for 15-30 minutes, checking often to avoid breakage.
• Rinse thoroughly and deep condition after.

Bleach will also remove your natural pigment, leaving you with brassy yellow tones. Use a toner afterward to correct this.

Tips for Removing Pink Hair Dye

• Strand test first! Try any new product or treatment on a small section of hair before doing your whole head.

• Apply petroleum jelly to skin around your hairline and ears before dyeing. This prevents staining.

• Work the green dye, shampoo, or bleach through the ends of your hair first since that’s where the pink will linger most.

• Alternate between a clarifying shampoo and moisturizing shampoo while treating your hair to prevent dryness.

• Use a leave-in conditioner and hair masks weekly to counteract any damage from stripping processes.

Common Questions

What if my hair turns green when removing pink?

Green overpowers pink, so if your hair looks green after applying dye, shampoo, or toner, don’t worry! Just use an anti-dandruff shampoo or vitamin C treatment to fade the green shade until your natural color appears.

How can I speed up the pink fading process?

Heat helps open the hair cuticle and release dye molecules faster. After applying any color-removing treatment, put your hair under a hooded dryer to accelerate the results. Just monitor closely to avoid damage.

Is there a way to remove pink without chemicals?

Unfortunately, there is no effective chemical-free way to strip hair dye. However, a few washes with clarifying shampoo or vitamin C treatment is safer than bleach if you want to avoid harsh chemicals. There are also all-natural clarifying shampoos.

Go From Pink to Your Dream Hair Color

So there you have it—the green color family is the secret to neutralizing pesky pink hair dye!

Whether you use green shampoo, dye, toner, or even food coloring as a stain remover, harnessing the power of color theory helps you safely go back to your ideal shade.

Just be patient, take care of your strands, and those pink tones will be gone before you know it.

If you have any other questions about removing pink hair color, contact us today to speak with one of our color experts!