Skip to content
A white tube and folded towel beside a clear unlabeled glass dish of pale lilac liquid

How to use purple shampoo

Label directions first, then the shampoo basics the AAD gives.

Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. It does not change our guidance. Affiliate Disclosure

Follow the label directions

How long to leave purple shampoo on, how frequently to use it, and whether to use it on wet or dry hair are set by each maker. We do not give a time or a schedule. Follow the label directions.

Test it first

For a product you would wash off, like a cleanser, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says to "keep it on your skin for five minutes or as long as the instructions say," on a quarter-sized test spot such as the underside of your arm or the bend of your elbow, twice daily for seven to 10 days. The AAD gives these steps for skin care products; using them for a shampoo is our suggestion.

Shampoo the scalp

The AAD says to apply shampoo to your scalp instead of the entire length of your hair. When you rinse, it says to let the shampoo flow through the length of your hair and not to rub it in.

Keep it out of your eyes

Keep shampoo out of your eyes. If it gets in, rinse well with water.

Condition after

The AAD says to use conditioner after every shampoo, and that conditioner moisturizes and detangles your hair and makes it easier to manage.

If you have a reaction

The FDA says that after a reaction or problem with a cosmetic product, the first step is to stop using the product and contact your healthcare provider, and the second is to report the problem to the FDA.

Using purple shampoo. Label first, then the AAD basics.

FAQ

We do not give a time. Follow the label directions for the product you have.
We do not give a schedule. Follow the label directions. The AAD says to wash your hair based on how often it gets dirty or oily.

General information, not medical advice. Follow the label. We suggest testing a new hair product on a small patch of skin first. Keep it out of your eyes, and stop use if irritation occurs. For hair dye, the FDA says to do a patch test every time and never to dye your eyebrows or eyelashes. See a doctor or dermatologist about scalp problems or hair loss.

Next: purple shampoo

What it is, in plain words.