So what causes this switching off and on of your pigment genes? The biggest contributing factor is your hormones. Generally speaking, blonde hair usually turns brown – or at least darker – as we age.
Yes, it's common for blonde hair to darken over time due to genetic changes and increased melanin production. Many people experience a natural color transition from blonde to brown as they age.
Yes, you can color your hair darker. Hair dye can cover a lighter color but it cannot lift dark hair to make it lighter; (you would need bleach for this to lift the color out). I wouldn't use an ashy brown as it already has an ashy tone to it.
As we go through puberty and into adulthood, hormonal fluctuations can affect the activity of genes that control hair color. This can lead to a shift in the production of melanin, resulting in a change in hair color from blonde to brown (2).
Yes, it is possible for natural red hair to turn brown as a person ages. Hair color can change due to a variety of factors, including genetics, hormonal changes, and environmental influences.
The primary reason why hair goes so dark when you dye it is often related to the dye application itself. That is, many people make the mistake of coloring their entire head of hair each time they color. Not only do you not need to do this, you don't want to do this, either.
Hair color changes result not only from alterations of melanin production but also from changes in the hair structure itself, altering its optical properties. A variety of genetic, metabolic, nutritional, and acquired disorders result in hair color changes.
Generally speaking, blonde hair usually turns brown – or at least darker – as we age. We've all seen photos of relatives or friends who were so fair as a child that their hair was almost white. And then wondered how on earth they went from that ethereal fairness to their current light, mid or even dark brown tone.
Nature's Rarest Palette: Red Hair Standing at the apex of rarity, natural red hair occurs in just 1-2% of the global population. This striking shade results from a specific genetic variant of the MC1R gene, requiring both parents to pass on the recessive trait.
Age: With aging, the activity of melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin, changes. In childhood, these cells might produce less melanin, resulting in blonde hair. However, as one grows older, the melanocytes can become more active, leading to the production of more melanin and, consequently, darker hair.
Whether you took extra precautions or not, there's good news: Bleaching makes hair dry and brittle over time, but going brown won't put your hair at further risk. “The bright side of going darker is that there is no real damage,” Still says.
The two best ways to dye your hair brown naturally involve using henna or coffee. Whichever method you use, spread the dye onto your hair using your fingers after you've mixed it, making sure it covers each strand thoroughly.
Taking your hair from brunette to blonde is not an easy process, but the results can be oh so good. If you've been toying with the idea of going blonde, but not sure your naturally darker strands can pull it off, we're here to tell you that they can.
Blonde fact #3: Natural blonde hair darkens over time
Ever wondered why blonde haired babies are much more common than natural blonde adults? Blonde locks tend to darken over time to brown, or even black. If you're still a natural blonde – consider yourself lucky!
Going from lighter to darker hair color is much easier than the other way around, so dyeing your blonde hair brown won't be as tricky as in other cases. If you are one-to-two shades lighter than your desired color, all you need to do is apply the brown dye and enjoy your new hair color.
The pigment eumelanin gives brown hair its distinctive color. Brown hair has more eumelanin than blond hair but also has far less than black. There are two different types of eumelanin, which are distinguished from each other by their pattern of polymer bonds. The two types are black eumelanin and brown eumelanin.
The rarest eye colors are red and violet, which are primarily found in individuals with albinism. Excluding those affected by albinism, green and gray eyes are considered the most uncommon.
3. How rare is strawberry blonde? Natural strawberry blonde hair is very rare, as it contains a red hue. Only 1-2% of people have the red hair gene globally, so others must use styling such as hair dye to achieve this shade.
Melanin goes through significant pigmentation changes throughout a person's life. In other words, your hair color doesn't stay the same color. This is why a blond child may become closer to a brunette in their teen and adult years. The sun's UV rays can break down (oxidize) your hair's melanin.
Analyzing hairs from fourteen volunteers and correlating what they saw with their stress diaries showed that while some gray definitely followed stressful times, some hairs regained their pigment when stress abated. So yes, stress can absolutely cause gray hair.
Essentially, when the production of eumelanin slows down, so does the shade of brown you were born with, causing hair to lighten naturally.
If your hair is brown, you may need to bleach it more than once before you apply the grey dye. It's important you get your hair as light as possible before you attempt to turn it grey – this will help ensure a more even tone and vibrant, all-over colour.