Does Coloring Your Natural Red Hair Alter The Color Of New Growth?

This statement has been heard by redheads around the world: “Don’t dye your natural red hair, you’ll ruin it!” But many of us redheads want to experiment with other shades of red, or take a brunette/blonde plunge. You might think to yourself, “It’s fine to try other colors because my natural red will simply grow back.” Is this true? Or, is your natural hair going to be different when it grows out? 

Let’s first focus on two facts:

1. Dyeing your hair is damaging

2. It’s hard to remove color once the dye has processed through the hair

But is there any truth about dye impacting new growth? Here’s what we know. 

It depends on your age

We polled two natural redheads between 20-35 years of age, and two natural redheads between 55-70 years of age about their experience with dyeing their hair red.

The younger natural redheads reported that their red roots grew back practically “the same shade”. If there was any issue with the new growth after dyeing or bleaching, their hair felt brittle and sensitive to breaks, but only because of the impact of the chemicals. 

The mature natural reds reported to us that when their roots grew out, their red hair wasn’t as vibrant. But, don’t rush to conclusions! You may think the dye caused this, but it has more to do with age than with the chemicals used on the strands. For many redheads, as we get older, our hair begins to darken, and then once we hit middle age, our hair begins to fade. Chances are that the change in root color is due to age, not the dyeing process. 

You may be dyeing over the best shade your hair will ever be

If you want to dye your hair, do it. It won’t impact your natural color in the long run, but you may miss some of those peak years of vibrancy in your color. Our co-founder, Stephanie, has shared her struggle with dyeing her hair blonde for 7 years of her life during the prime of her vibrancy time. She was between the ages of 12-19 when she dyed her hair and regrets it because, “My hair will never be as vibrant as it was then. Now, thanks to color depositing shampoos and hair glosses, I can get close to what the red was but I wish I appreciated it when I was younger.” 

It’s important to come into your own, but we’re always preaching at H2BAR to feel confident and rock your red hair. Red hair is more than a color, it’s a lifestyle. Rock it like a Redhead! 

RELATED POSTS

READ: Can a Hair Colorist Refuse To Dye Natural Red Hair?

READ: Dyed Your Hair Blonde? Here’s How to Get Back to Your Red Roots

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