How to Fix Hot Roots at Home | 3 Quick & Easy Fixes

Hot roots result from having lighter roots than the rest of your hair due to the heat from your head. Although they’re frustrating, you can learn how to fix hot roots and make your hair look great again.

How to Fix Hot Roots (3 Methods)

There are three methods you can try if you want to fix your hot roots. If a step doesn’t work, move on and try the next.

1. Try Purple or Blue Shampoo

If your roots are yellow, choose a purple shampoo. Or, if you have orange roots, you’ll want to try the blue shampoo. Purple is the opposite of yellow on the color wheel, while blue is the opposite of orange.

Adding a tint of a complementary color to your root color will help neutralize the shade. It’s a relatively simple technique that anyone can use.

Purple and blue shampoo won’t harm your hair, unlike other chemically made dyes or toners. Remember that using blue or purple shampoo will tone your hot roots and the rest of your hair.

You can try to mix some shampoo with a bit of water to apply to only your roots, so the toning on the rest of your hair is minimal. If you apply the shampoo directly to your roots, ensure you dilute it with water or regular shampoo.

Otherwise, follow the steps below:

1. Soak your hair in warm water to open up the cuticle in the outermost layer of your hair. Doing so will allow the shampoo to penetrate more easily.
2. Use a generous amount of purple or blue shampoo and distribute it evenly. Make sure you apply it from your roots to your ends.
3. Let the shampoo rest on your hair for 5-15 minutes or as instructed on the label.
4. Rinse your hair with cool water to allow the cuticles to seal and hold the color in your hair.
5. Add a moisturizing conditioner to rehydrate your scalp and hair.

If you get any shampoo on your shower, tub, or floors, don’t fret. You should be able to use soapy water to remove any spillage. Just clean it up as soon as you finish your hair. You may notice that your hair looks better but not quite where you want it.

You’ll likely need to repeat the steps several times to get the desired results. However, do not replace the blue or purple shampoo with your usual shampoo; only use it 1-2 times per week.

2. Use a Cool Toner

If you have tried blue or purple shampoo a few times and aren’t happy with your color, consider hair toner as a quick and more permanent solution. You can find semi-, demi-, and permanent toners to cool down the warm pigments in your roots.

Toner works similarly to blue or purple shampoo but with more coloring. So, if the shampoo method doesn’t work, try using a toner. Choose a cool-toned gloss color that matches your current hair color, not the root color.

Ensure that you purchase a gloss, not a glaze. You can go to your local beauty supply store to find it and talk to an employee to help you find the right shade.

Ideally, you’ll want a toner with tints of blue or purple to neutralize the brassy tones. Like the shampoo method, use the color wheel to help you choose the proper toner. Unlike purple or blue shampoo, toner will give you immediate results.

Once you have your toner, follow the following instructions:

1. Put on an old t-shirt that you don’t mind if it gets ruined. If your toner doesn’t come with disposable gloves, get some before you start.
2. Mix one-part toner and two parts 10-20 volume developer in a small mixing bowl. For semi-permanent, use 10-volume and 20-volume for permanent results.
3. Part your hair down the middle. Section each half into two equal sections. You should have four equal quadrants as a result.
4. Use a tinting brush to cover the roots liberally. Apply the toner to small enough sections to allow it to be fully saturated.
5. Let it sit on your roots for 30-45 minutes or as the instructions indicate.
6. Rinse your hair in lukewarm water, ensuring you get all the toner out.
7. Use your usual conditioner and rinse thoroughly.
8. Rinse hair thoroughly with lukewarm water.

Once you dry your hair, you should notice that your roots are significantly cooler. Although toner works quickly and lasts longer than toned shampoos, the color will fade over time.

Remember that you’ll have to repeat this process once the toner fades if you use a semi- or demi-permanent. Also, if your dyed hair is a different color than your usual hair color, you’ll have to tone the incoming roots.

Read Next: What Does Brassy Hair Look Like?

3. Dye Your Roots to Match Your Hair

You can dye your roots if the shampoo method and toning don’t work out. You can find box dyes in your local retail store, like Walmart. Box dye kits typically have everything you need in one pack – the dye, developer, and disposable gloves.

However, you can opt for a more professional option at a beauty supply store like Sally. Box dyes may contain harsh chemicals, and you aren’t able to choose the volume of developer that you want.

Additionally, someone at a beauty supply store can help you choose the right shade for your roots. Choose a color that matches most of your hair rather than your root color. You’ll also need to pick up either 10-volume or 20-volume developer, a pair of disposable gloves, and a tint brush.

Below are the steps to dying your hot roots.

1. Put on a set of clothes that you won’t be upset about if they get ruined. Use the gloves with the kit or purchase disposable gloves to protect your hands.
2. Part your hair into four quadrants, like the third instruction for toning your hair.
3. Use a 10-volume developer if you want darker roots or a 20-volume developer to lighten them.
4. Combine the hair color and developer in a bowl as instructed.
5. Using a tint brush, apply the dye mixture to your roots.
6. Let your hair sit and absorb the dye for roughly 30-45 minutes unless indicated on the label. 
7. Wrap your hair in a plastic bag or a shower cap to help the color process. Be careful not to let the dye touch your hair.
8. Rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water.
9. Moisturize your hair with a color-safe conditioner and rinse.
10. Towel dry your hair and use a blow-dryer on medium heat to help seal in color and promote a more even shade.

Even if you use a permanent hair dye, you’ll want to protect your hair from the sun. UV rays can cause your hair to lighten and create a brassy shade. Use a hat or scarf to protect your roots from the sun.

Opt for a UV protection spray for hair if you don’t want to wear clothing on your head. If all else fails, you can head to a salon to get your roots touched up and maybe even get some highlights to blend your roots. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the most frequently asked questions regarding how to fix hot roots.

So, How Do You Fix Hot Roots?

To best determine how to fix hot roots, look at the shade. You’ll want to choose different shampoos, toners, or dyes to repair orange roots versus yellow. The purple or blue shampoo is an excellent place to start.

If the shampooing method doesn’t work, a more permanent solution like toner or dye should do the trick. Ensure you choose cool tones to neutralize the brassiness in your roots. Happy coloring!