How to Correct Discoloration of White Hair

Over time, minerals and environmental pollutants can build up on gray hair, causing it to discolor and turn yellow. Other things can cause discoloration as well, including product buildup, thermal styling tools, chlorinated water and airborne pollutants found at work. The root area of gray hair discolored by pollutants will often look fresh and white. However, the shaft of the hair becomes dingier and duller, giving way to yellow streaks toward the ends of the hair. The longer the hair is, the yellower it gets. This is because the area closer to the ends of the hair has been exposed to pollutants over a longer period of time.

Things You'll Need

• Clarifying shampoo
• Powder clarifying treatment
• Water
• Color bottle
• Plastic cap
• Hooded dryer
• Timer
• Silver shampoo
• Silver conditioner

Instructions

Weekly

1. Wash the hair using a clarifying shampoo. Allow the shampoo to remain on the head for five minutes before rinsing it away with warm water.

2. Turn the hooded dryer on medium heat to warm up. Open the powder clarifying treatment and dump the contents into the color bottle. Add warm water according to the package instructions. Screw on the color bottle lid and cover the opening on the tip with your finger. Shake vigorously to mix the solution.

3. Apply the clarifying treatment to the hair using the color bottle until all of the hair has been thoroughly saturated. Place the plastic cap on top of the head, and make sure that all of the hair is covered by the cap. Place the head directly under the heated dryer. Set the timer for 20 minutes.

4. Lift up and turn off the hooded dryer. Allow the hair to cool for approximately five minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water, shampoo with clarifying shampoo and condition. Repeat weekly.

Daily

1. Wet the hair with warm water. Pour a small amount of silver color-correcting shampoo into the palm of your hand. Rub your palms together to distribute. Work the shampoo evenly throughout the hair, massage into a deep lather and rinse.

2. Apply a small amount of silver color-correcting conditioner to the hair in the same manner. Work the conditioner evenly throughout the hair.

3. Rinse and style as desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Perform deep clarifying treatments weekly until the discoloration is lifted from the hair. Use the silver shampoo and conditioner daily during this time period also. Once the discoloration has been corrected, maintain the color by using the silver shampoo twice a week and a clarifying shampoo once a week. Perform a deep clarifying treatment whenever the hair starts to appear dull.

References

• "Milady's Standard Textbook of Cosmetology;" Milady, Diane Carol Bailey, Margrit Attenburg; 2008