Why is my red hair not going grey?

Author: Asia Kerluke  |  Last update: Saturday, October 18, 2025

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.

Why doesn't red hair go grey?

Red hair is likely to take much longer to go gray than other hair colors because the pigment just fades over time instead of the follicle entirely stopping its production of pigment—a condition called achromotrichia.

Why is my hair turning red not grey?

Chemical Changes: The natural aging process can alter the levels of melanin (the pigment responsible for hair color) in your hair. This can lead to changes in color, including the emergence of red tones. Health Factors: Certain health conditions or nutritional deficiencies can affect hair color.

Does red hair take longer to turn grey?

Put simply, 'achromotrichia' is defined as the absence or loss of pigmentation in the hair. Thanks to genetics, gingers tend to retain their red hair colour for a lot longer, skipping out the greying stage that most other people experience.

Why is my hair not turning gray?

People's hair can turn grey due to genetics and aging, but some individuals may not experience significant greying because of differences in melanin production, which determines hair color. Additionally, other factors such as stress and certain medical conditions can also affect hair pigmentation.

What I Wish I Knew Before Going Grey

Is it possible for hair to never go grey?

Going gray is associated with aging, but this isn't always the case. Some of us may experience premature graying, while others will never have a single strand of gray hair on their heads. Numerous components are at play, ranging from environmental factors to family history.

What is the average age to start going grey?

Naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide can also build up in the hair, bleaching the color. Typically, White people start going gray in their mid-30s, Asian people in their late 30s, and Black people in their mid-40s. Half of all people have a significant amount of gray hair by the time they turn 50.

What hair color greys the slowest?

Darker hair colors like deep black, espresso brown, and blue-black tend to fade the slowest.

Do redheads have a higher pain tolerance?

Prior research has already put red-haired humans and mice into the spotlight, pointing out that they have a higher pain threshold. They also don't need as high of a dosage of pain-killing opioids, and they tend to require more anesthesia compared to people with non-red hair.

Which hair color turns grey first?

Talking of natural hair colour, is it just us, or does darker hair seem to go grey faster than blonde? Both Ricardo and Eva are quick to clarify that there's no correlation between natural hair colour and our propensity to grey. The speed of greying is in our genetics, they tell us.

Why does red hair never go away?

Red dye, too, is warm in tone, even if you're dyeing your hair a cooler red shade. So even if some of your red color fades, that additional warmth will remain present—and it can be tricky to neutralize or remove.

What does chestnut hair look like?

The chestnut hair colour is a medium to dark brown shade with warm, red undertones. The blend of brown and red creates a rich, earthy colour that creates dimension throughout your locks. Chestnut brown hair is versatile as light can alter the appearance, with bright light bringing out more of the red shades.

Why is my hair turning red instead of grey?

Hair turning red naturally can be due to several factors. Sun exposure, hard water build-up, diet, and even certain deficiencies such as Vitamin B12 could be responsible for this color shift.

What are fun facts about redheads?

Fun facts about red hair strands

Redheads have less hair and thicker strands than most people. On average, it's believed that those with red hair have 90,000 strands, while blondes have around 110,000 and brunettes have 140,000. Redheads are less likely to go grey.

Why do redheads need more anesthesia?

Moreover, red-haired individuals have been found to require significantly higher concentrations of desflurane for general anesthesia compared to those with dark hair. This increased desflurane requirement in redheads has been linked to mutations in the MC1R gene [20].

At what age do redheads go grey?

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.

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 is the most aging hair color?

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.

What is the least attractive hair color?

Collectively, people with red hair were rated as most unattractive, but it must be noted that in the non-obese woman condition, red hair was seen as equal to blond hair in attractiveness, though in every other condition red hair was seen as significantly less attractive.

What is the average age to go grey?

The average age of onset of hair graying appears to be mid- to late forties; however, this varies with race, with the average age for Caucasians being mid-thirties, that for Asians being late thirties, and that for Africans being mid-forties.

Why does red hair fade so fast?

“Red fades fast because it has a larger dye molecule that sits more on the surface of the hair,” he explains. “The brighter the color is, the more direct dyes are involved and the faster it can fade.”

Can B12 reverse gray hair?

Premature graying may be reversed with vitamin B12 supplementation only if vitamin B12 deficiency is the cause. If you are graying due to other factors, such as genetics, zinc deficiency, and medications, your gray hair cannot be reversed.

Do some people never get gray hair?

"While it's a natural part of aging for most of us, not everyone automatically turns gray when they hit the age of 50," she says. "Some people in their 80s don't have gray hair yet, while others get white hair in their late teens," she adds.

What nationality does not get gray hair?

Melanin is what gives your hair (and skin) its natural color. People of African descent, Thai, and Chinese people, go grey more slowly.

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