Why is my red hair going blonde?

Author: Keshaun Kunde  |  Last update: Thursday, January 22, 2026

Later in life, most redheads go through something called Achromotrichia. This is when the hair follicles stop producing pigment while on the way to white or grey. This can cause the hair to have an overall lighter copper look or even a warm blonde appearance.

Why is my red hair turning blonde?

This is really common, basically your hair colour comes from melanin (like your skin) and in hair it's only produced in two colours, red and black, redheads obviously have more of the red and less of the black, when your hair loses melanin it's takes an overall blonde appearance.

Why is my hair getting less red?

The reason that red hair color fades so quickly is because blue dye molecules are the first to wash away. Red tones have blue in them, especially rich vibrant plummy shades, and this is why they can easily fade to orange. To maintain the color, you can try using a blue/purple shampoo.

Can your hair change from red to blonde naturally?

Does red hair fade back to blonde naturally? If the red is dark, then there is a chance that it will fade to a darkish brown, due to the colour staining the cuticle. With dyed red hair on blonde, it will possibly fade to an orange tone, and it will take a while to fade. So red hair doesn't fade back to blonde.

What color cancels out red in blonde hair?

Ashy Tones: Using an ash blonde or ash brown dye can help neutralize the red tones. Ash colors contain green and blue undertones that counteract red. Cool Colors: Shades like violet, purple, or blue can also help neutralize the red. A purple shampoo or conditioner can tone down the redness over time.

Hairdresser reacts to people bleaching their hair 4 TIMES IN A ROW

What happens if you put blonde over red hair?

Although the typical combination of red and blonde often leads to an orange hue, an exception exists—applying bleach (and toner) to light red hair. This particular blend produces a strawberry blonde, which bears a subtle reddish tinge and sets it apart from conventional blondes.

What does purple shampoo do to red hair?

Purple Shampoo on Red Hair:

If you have naturally red hair a purple shampoo may not make much of a difference but it can help those with chemically dyed red hair. Purple shampoo will not fade or remove red color but can impact its visual effect. A purple shampoo used sparingly can help remove bronzy and brassy tones.

How do you get rid of red hair to go blonde?

5 Tips to Go From Red to Blonde Hair
  1. Tip 1. Pre-Select Your Shade Of Blonde Ahead Of Time.
  2. Tip 2. Be Prepared For Multiple Applications.
  3. Tip 3. Be Ready To Bleach Your Strands.
  4. Tip 4. Opt For Highlights As A Happy Medium.
  5. Tip 5. Choose To Go Pro Or DIY — Or Both!
  6. How To Care For Your Blonde Hair.

What is the green shampoo for red hair?

Dark Envy Shampoo is a green tinted color-depositing shampoo with blue-yellow direct dyes that neutralized red tones in your virgin and colored all-over black to dark brown hair. Designed for dark bases (levels 1-4), this shampoo enriches and neutralizes red undertones while leaving hair with a cool, glossy finish.

What is the rarest hair color?

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.

What vitamin do redheads lack?

We discussed two possible explanations for the observed pattern, the first based on vitamin D deficiency due to the avoidance of sunbathing by subjects with sensitive skin, including some redheads, and second based on folic acid depletion in fair skinned subjects, again including some (a different subpopulation of) ...

Why is my hair not ginger anymore?

“As we age, we produce more eumelanin, which leads to the hair darkening. “ Redheaded sisters Adrienne and Stephanie Vendetti have made their career out of being natural redheads and are very familiar with red hair losing its vibrancy.

Why is my natural red hair getting lighter?

Sun exposure can contribute to fading red hair

The UV rays produced by the sun can permanently damage our hair follicles, just like they damage our skin. If you're in the sun a lot without your hair covered or protected, it may lead to fading and loss of vibrancy.

Do redheads go blonde with age?

One of the many facts about redheads is that their hair will never turn grey. The pigment in their hair that causes it to be red will just fade over time, causing their hair to turn blonde or white, but never grey.

How to make red hair redder?

Try natural ingredients such as red henna, beetroot juice and hibiscus to boost the redness in your hair in an all-green way, or explore the red-enhancing options in shampoo, conditioners and hair masks designed to boost hair color.

What are the disadvantages of having red hair?

Health risks for people with red hair
  • Genetic cause of red hair.
  • Health risks.
  • Increased skin cancer risk.
  • Altered sensitivity to pain.
  • Increased risk of Parkinson's disease.
  • Increased risk of endometriosis.
  • Other health implications for people with red hair.
  • Decreased risk of prostate cancer.

What hair color ages you?

Hair that's too dark doesn't reflect light. It can look opaque and age you, zapping life and color from your face. Very dark, one-dimensional hair will put a spotlight on your grays and regrowth. Ask your colorist for a single process with highlights to bring your natural hair color a shade or two lighter.

How rare is auburn?

Natural red hair is the rarest hair color in the world. A mere one to two percent of people are born with auburn hair. The prevalence is slightly higher in the northern and western fringes of Europe, especially the British Isles (mainly Ireland and Scotland), than in the rest of the world.

What causes red hair to turn blonde?

Once achromotrichia starts to set in, your red hair becomes lighter and lighter. It can even fade to an orangey-blonde, copper-blonde or even strawberry blonde, until your reddish strands become silver or white. It's good to note, there's no timeline for achromotrichia.

What hair color cancels out red hair?

The opposite of red on the color wheel is green, which means that green can cancel out red tones in the hair. However, it's essential to note that adding green to your hair will result in a brownish color. To achieve a cool shade, you should use a blue shampoo over a warm hair base.

What does green shampoo do to red hair?

Green shampoo is a color-depositing product designed to neutralize red tones in dark hair. Toning has been a hot topic of discussion in the beauty world throughout 2019, and we're fully prepared to see it grow even bigger in 2020!

What happens if you put blonde toner on red hair?

Colors that are next to each other are called complementary colors. Blonde dye contains yellow, which is a warm color. Red hair has orange in it, which makes it a warm color too. So by putting blonde dye on red hair , you have created an orange-red color!

When should you not use purple shampoo?

"You want to stop using it two weeks before any lightening service. The purple shampoo can cause build up making the hair look dull and darker if overused." This makes the lightening process more difficult to create a seamless blend.

What shampoo cancels out red hair?

To cancel out red tones, you would use a green shampoo because red and green sit opposite one another on the color wheel. Purple cancels out yellow which is perfect for addressing brassiness. Red hair with blonde highlights can also benefit from purple shampoo, as the highlights are likely to get brassy over time.

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