Had a client's hair turn green after a swim in a Phoenix pool, fixed it with a ketchup mask.

She came in panicking about a brassy-green tint from the chlorine. I mixed a quarter cup of ketchup with her conditioner, left it on for 20 minutes, and it neutralized the color perfectly. Anyone have a better fix for chlorine damage on blonde highlights?

3 comments

3 Comments

wrenh6512d ago

Wondering if the ketchup trick could mess with hair porosity long-term. The acid in tomatoes might lift the cuticle while the pigment sticks to the green. I'd worry about it making hair grab color unevenly later, especially if someone uses a demi-permanent dye soon after. Maybe a chelating shampoo first would pull out the metals without the extra step.

loganl221d ago

What about the sugar content in ketchup though? I've always worried the sticky residue could actually trap more pool gunk in the hair if you don't wash it out super well. That might set the stain instead of fixing it. Maybe a quick vinegar rinse after the ketchup would help cut that, but then you're adding another acid step.

rodriguez.diana12d ago

Honestly that ketchup trick is a classic for a reason, it works fast in a pinch. Never had a client come back with porosity issues from it, the tomato acid is pretty mild. A chelating shampoo is great too but sometimes you just need a quick fix from the fridge!