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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 color. That's why we invented the Metal Purifier, found in everything from BlondorPlex 9 to Koleston Perfect. It's a breakthrough technology that neutralizes heavy metals to give you the true-to-tone color you want.
So, if you've never previously paid attention to the product your colorist uses, now's the time to take note. Reducing metals in your hair is essential for your dream color. 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 colors 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 neutralize 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 color, especially in blonde or lightened hair;
- Hair that doesn’t respond well to lightening or coloring.
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 color in the salon.
So, How Do Metals Change Hair Color Results?
When metals are present in the hair, they can react with peroxide in hair color. This reaction can disrupt the coloring process and affect your final result. In simple terms, it interferes with how color develops inside the hair.
Let's break it down:
- Metals react with color. 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.
- Color doesn’t develop evenly. The coloring 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 color.
That’s why keeping metal levels under control during coloring is key to achieving the dream shade from your TikTok saves – something Metal Purifier technology tackles at the start for true to tone color results.
How Does Metal Purifier Work?
Metal Purifier technology is found in all Wella Professionals oxidative hair color products, springing into action the moment your salon shade is applied. It features a unique molecule that encapsulates metal impurities, such as copper, and neutralizes them. The result: uncompromised color performance and the rich, even, true-to-tone finish you hoped for.
When you're in the salon, this means your colorist doesn’t need a separate detox step – the protection is already built into the color formula.
Do I Need a Metal Detox Before Having My Hair Colored?
As long as your colorist is using a Wella Professionals oxidative color, you don't need a metal detox first. Metal Purifier is built into your color 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 Color is Right For Me?
All Wella Professionals oxidative color products now feature Metal Purifier, ensuring beautifully even, true-to-tone results, no matter your shade. Your hair colorist 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 color to ask for…
- For rich intensity and up to 100% grey coverage, choose Koleston Perfect. This is our iconic permanent color, with an extensive range of shades for every kind of color transformation.
- For zero-damage color and up to 3x shinier hair², choose SHINEFINITY. It makes hair glow with a translucent veil of color that enhances tone and amps up glossiness.
- For lit-from-within luminosity, choose Illumina Color. This permanent color 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 color that fades beautifully over 28 washes – ideal for lower-maintenance looks.
No matter which color you go for, Metal Purifier will ensure your shade is beautifully true to tone. Find your nearest Wella salon, and unlock the uncompromised color you've always dreamed of.
¹ BlondorPlex 9 + BlondorPlex n°2, vs BlondorPlex alone.
² Vs. pre-damaged hair in an instrumental test.