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It's true: most people have some level of metals in their hair, and although they're tiny (so small you can't see them!), they could be affecting the outcome of your hair colour. That's why we invented the Metal Purifier, found in everything from BlondorPlex 9 to Koleston Perfect. It's a breakthrough technology that neutralises heavy metals to give you the true-to-tone colour you want.
So, if you've never previously paid attention to the product your colourist uses, now's the time to take note. Reducing metals in your hair is essential for your dream colour. Here's why, and what you can do about it...
First, What is Metal Build-Up in the Hair?
Metal build-up in your hair is, quite simply, an accumulation of metals found in the hair shaft. You can't see them, but you'll notice their effects – think dullness, dryness, brassiness, and hair colours not turning out as expected. These metal particles, which are microscopic, are most commonly made up of copper, but iron, calcium and magnesium can also build up in hair over time.
Where Do These Metals Come From?
Contaminated Water
One of the most common ways for metal deposits to get inside your hair is through the water you wash with. If your plumbing is made up of copper pipes, these can erode over time, releasing microscopic metal particles into the water supply.
Hard Water
Hard water is rich in minerals like calcium and magnesium, which can cling to your hair. This means each wash leaves behind tiny deposits, gradually leading to an invisible build-up along the hair shaft.
Swimming Pools
Swimming pools – especially those treated with chlorine – can also contribute to metal build-up.
How Do I Know if There's Metal Build-Up in My Hair?
Unless you've been actively taking steps to neutralise metals in your hair, they're likely present to some degree. Even if your hair looks and feels healthy, microscopic metal particles can still exist within the hair shaft.
You won't always notice signs of metal build-up, but if you do, this can look like:
- Dull, lackluster hair that feels weighed down;
- Dryness or a rough texture, even after conditioning;
- Brassy or uneven colour, especially in blonde or lightened hair;
- Hair that doesn’t respond well to lightening or colouring.
Our guide on how to metal detox your hair will help you improve the condition at home, while the tips below will ensure metals don't disrupt your dream colour in the salon.
So, How Do Metals Change Hair Colour Results?
When metals are present in the hair, they can react with peroxide in hair colour. This reaction can disrupt the colouring process and affect your final result. In simple terms, it interferes with how colour develops inside the hair.
Let's break it down:
- Metals react with colour. When peroxide in hair dye comes into contact with metals in the hair, a reaction can occur.
- Free radicals are released. The reaction produces free radicals, which are unstable particles inside the hair.
- Hair becomes more vulnerable. These particles can weaken the internal structure, leading to hair damage and breakage.
- Colour doesn’t develop evenly. The colouring process becomes disrupted, so the final shade may not form as expected.
- Results can look inconsistent. This can lead to uneven tones, unexpected warmth or patchy colour.
That’s why keeping metal levels under control during colouring is key to achieving the dream shade from your TikTok saves – something Metal Purifier technology tackles at the start for true to tone colour results.
How Does Metal Purifier Work?
Metal Purifier technology is found in all Wella Professionals oxidative hair colour products, springing into action the moment your salon shade is applied. It features a unique molecule that encapsulates metal impurities, such as copper, and neutralises them. The result: uncompromised colour performance and the rich, even, true-to-tone finish you hoped for.
When you're in the salon, this means your colourist doesn’t need a separate detox step – the protection is already built into the colour formula.
Do I Need a Metal Detox Before Having My Hair Coloured?
As long as your colourist is using a Wella Professionals oxidative colour, you don't need a metal detox first. Metal Purifier is built into your colour formula, so the technology acts as soon as your shade is applied.
How Can I Make Sure Metals Won't Affect My Highlights?
Whether you've booked in a balayage, highlights or all-over lightening, the last thing you want is for metals to leave you with an uneven lift. BlondorPlex 9, found at your nearest Wella salon, ensures unbeatable clarity when lightening. So you get up to 9 levels of lift, up to 97% less breakage¹, and beautifully clean blonde results.
Which Metal-Purifying Wella Colour is Right For Me?
All Wella Professionals oxidative colour products now feature Metal Purifier, ensuring beautifully even, true-to-tone results, no matter your shade. Your hair colourist will be able to choose the formula that best suits your needs, but if you like to head into the salon with some knowledge, here's how to know which colour to ask for…
- For rich intensity and up to 100% grey coverage, choose Koleston Perfect. This is our iconic permanent colour, with an extensive range of shades for every kind of colour transformation.
- For zero-damage colour and up to 3x shinier hair², choose SHINEFINITY. It makes hair glow with a translucent veil of colour that enhances tone and amps up glossiness.
- For lit-from-within luminosity, choose Illumina Color. This permanent colour formula delivers youthful, radiant, 100% natural-looking shades for stunning dimension.
- For vibrancy and shine with soft regrowth, choose Color Touch. It's a demi-permanent colour that fades beautifully over 28 washes – ideal for lower-maintenance looks.
No matter which colour you go for, Metal Purifier will ensure your shade is beautifully true to tone. Find your nearest Wella salon, and unlock the uncompromised colour you've always dreamed of.
¹ BlondorPlex 9 + BlondorPlex n°2, vs BlondorPlex alone.
² Vs. pre-damaged hair in an instrumental test.