Have you noticed your dark hair turning red lately? If so, you’re not imagining things. It’s common for brunette locks to start shifting to red over time.
While a changing hair color can seem alarming at first, it happens to many people. The good news is that in most cases, you can get your hair back to its original beautiful shade with some simple adjustments to your hair care routine.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the top reasons your hair color may be shifting from dark brown to red. You’ll learn ways to nourish your hair, protect it from damage, and safely restore your natural color. With the right tips, you can keep your hair looking healthy and avoid excess redness.
The goal is to arm you with knowledge so you can take control of any unwanted color changes. Read on to learn what causes brown hair to turn red, plus scientifically backed solutions. You’ll be on your way to reversing redness and maintaining the rich, dark locks you love.
There are a few key reasons why you may be noticing red tones developing in your hair:
- Sun Exposure – Extended time outdoors without protection can lighten hair and give it red undertones. The sun’s UV rays break down the melanin pigment in your hair over time.
- Chemical Processing – Using hair dye, bleach, relaxers, or other chemical treatments can strip away natural pigment and make hair appear more red. Too much processing damage causes color changes.
- Aging – As we get older, the ratio of pheomelanin (red/yellow pigment) to eumelanin (brown/black pigment) in our hair can shift. More pheomelanin leads to red hair.
- Medical Conditions – In rare cases, an underlying medical issue like lupus or thyroid disease could be causing red hair.
- Nutritional Deficiencies – Low iron, protein, or copper levels may contribute to the depletion of hair pigment.
Don’t Panic! – You Can Fix Hair Turning Red
If you’ve noticed your hair taking on red tones, try not to worry. In most cases, red hair is not a serious problem, and there are ways to return your hair to its natural color:
- Alter Your Hair Routine – Switch to more moisturizing, nourishing products free of sulfates and parabens. Limit washing to 2-3 times per week and use cooler water. Reduce heat styling and processes that dry out your hair.
- Deep Condition & Mask – Weekly deep conditioning treatments and hydrating hair masks can help restore moisture and rebuild your hair cuticles. Focus on the mid-lengths and ends.
- Protect from the Sun – Wear hats, scarves, or protective styles when outdoors. Use a spray with UV filters.
- Eat Hair Healthy Foods – Boost intake of protein, iron, omega-3s, and vitamin C to nourish hair follicles and pigment.
- See a Dermatologist – If your hair continues changing color despite your best efforts, see a dermatologist to test for underlying causes.
- Use Color Depositing Products – Temporary color depositing shampoos and conditioners can neutralize red tones with brown pigments. They gradually wash out over 4-6 weeks.
- Dye Your Hair – As a last resort, you can dye your hair a shade closer to your natural color. See a colorist for an expert consultation.
What Causes Hair Pigment Changes?
The shade of your hair depends on the ratio of two types of melanin pigment inside the hair shaft: eumelanin and pheomelanin. Eumelanin produces darker colors – black and brown – while pheomelanin produces lighter red and blonde hues. Most people have a combination of both, creating an array of natural hair colors. So what leads to a change in ratio that makes hair turn red?
A common cause is an oxidative stress, which is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in your body. Stress, smoking, pollution, poor diet, and sun exposure all contribute to oxidative stress. This damages melanocytes – the cells that produce melanin. With oxidative stress, your hair produces more pheomelanin than eumelanin, lightening your hair over time.
Your melanin production also naturally decreases with age. Elderly individuals often develop gray, white, or red hair because their hair loses melanin pigment. The change is gradual, but over decades the ratio of pheomelanin to eumelanin shifts.
Finally, your hormonal balance affects melanin production. Changes in estrogen, progesterone, and thyroid hormones all influence hair pigment. That’s why women may see their hair color change after pregnancy or menopause as their hormones fluctuate.
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Medical Causes of Red Hair
While turning red is usually harmless, sometimes it signifies an underlying medical condition. Talk to your doctor if you notice your hair color changing along with other symptoms like:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Headaches
- Strange food cravings
These could indicate conditions such as:
- Lupus – An autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss and redness.
- Thyroid disease – Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism affect hair pigment.
- Pernicious anemia – Low vitamin B12 affects red blood cell production, causing anemia and red hair.
- Addison’s disease – Adrenal gland dysfunction alters hair pigment.
- Hemochromatosis – Iron overload turns hair red.
Your doctor can run tests to determine if one of these conditions is the underlying cause of your color change. Treatment will focus on managing the disease.
Diet and Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Red Hair
While you can’t prevent aging or hormone changes from altering your hair pigment, you can slow the process with a healthy lifestyle. Here are some diet and lifestyle tweaks to maintain your natural hair color:
- Eat antioxidant-rich foods like berries, green tea, and dark chocolate to combat oxidative stress.
- Consume enough protein from sources like eggs, fish, beans, and nuts.
- Get sufficient iron, zinc, and copper which help produce melanin.
- Take a daily multivitamin to cover any nutritional gaps.
- Protect your hair from sun exposure with a hat or sunscreen.
- Don’t smoke and minimize pollution exposure.
- Drink plenty of water to keep your hair hydrated and youthful.
- Manage stress levels through yoga, meditation, or counseling.
When to See a Professional About Color Changes
Schedule an appointment with your doctor or dermatologist if:
- Your hair is rapidly turning red or shedding excessively
- Color changes are accompanied by other symptoms of illness
- You’ve made lifestyle changes but your hair keeps getting redder
- The redness is uneven or only in certain spots
- Your scalp is irritated, itchy, or inflamed
- Hair products designed to reverse redness aren’t working
A doctor can check for underlying conditions and prescribe treatments if necessary. A dermatologist may recommend medicated shampoos, corticosteroid injections, or supplements to get your hair back to normal.
In rare cases of severe pigment loss, your doctor may test your hormone levels or do a scalp biopsy to extract hair follicles for examination. This helps determine the cause when it is difficult to diagnose. But for most people, red hair is not a major concern and can be improved with at-home care.
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Embracing Your New Red Locks
While unexpected color changes can be alarming, try embracing your new red locks if reversal efforts don’t work. Adjust your wardrobe and makeup to complement the warmer, reddish tone. Temporary coloring products can also minimize brassiness and help the red appear more natural.
Talk to your colorist about enhancing your red hue with subtle highlights and lowlights to add dimension. If you opt to return to your natural color with dye, go gradually to avoid damage from drastic bleaching. And consult a dermatologist before permanent color to ensure it won’t interact with any medications you’re taking.
With the right adjustments, you can rock red hair confidently. And if you tire of the change eventually, your colorist can guide you through the safest process back to your regular color. Remember, alteration in hair pigment is a normal part of the aging process. By taking good care of your hair and your overall health, you can keep your locks looking their best at any age.
