Why Is My Black Hair Turning Gold? 5 Reasons & 7 Fixes

It isn't uncommon for people to find a stray gold-like strand or two hidden in the crevices of their hair. If you're wondering why is my black hair turning gold, here are the answers.

When we think of old age or aging in general, the first few things that come to mind are usually gray hair, weak knees, poor hearing, and wrinkles. I bet you've never guessed that gold-like hair strands would also come in the package.

In this article, we'll go over some of the answers to the question: "Why Is My Black Hair Turning Gold?" So if you have a golden hair strand growing or two, keep reading this article.

Why is my dark hair turning gold?

Did you know that hair turning gold is not limited to people with dark hair? It doesn't matter if your hair color's pitch black, dark brown, light brown, or any other color. Anyone, again, regardless of hair color, can experience this phenomenon.

According to experts, there are two ways hair turning gold-like or gold-colored is made possible—one is through natural transformation, and the other is chemical transformation. Keep scrolling to know more about these two.

1. Chemical Transformation

Millions of people from different parts of the world find blonde (light or pale yellow) hair beautiful. That is why many dark-haired individuals undergo treatments such as hair bleaching to achieve a light-haired hairstyle or look.

If you aren't all too familiar with hair bleaching yet:

Hair bleaching is the use of bleaching agents to lighten the color of one's hair for cosmetic purposes.

Bleaching can be done alone, with a toner, or as a step before coloring or dyeing your hair. The point of bleaching your hair is to lighten its color, but if you want to achieve a specific hair color, you'll have to either use a toner or a hair dye.

Hydrogen peroxide and persulfate salts are the most commonly used commercial bleaching agents. However, many other bleaching agents are available, such as sulfuric acid, wood ash, lye, and hypochlorite bleach.

Unintentional hair bleaching can also occur, for example, from too much sun exposure, where the ultraviolet rays in sunlight oxidize hair, turning it into a compound that is lighter in color.

So if you've been using hair products with chemicals known to lighten hair or if you've been out in the sun for a bit too long, don't be surprised to find your dark hair turning lighter and rich yellow or gold-like strands starting to grow.

2. Natural Transformation

In each hair strand, there are multiple melanocyte cells. These cells produce a special pigment that provides color to our hair scientists call melanin pigment. And there are two common types of melanin pigment: pheomelanin and eumelanin.

Pheomelanin shows a blonde and red color. Eumelanin shows a black and brown color.

Hair strands with high levels of pheomelanin and little eumelanin can turn into colors similar to copper or gold. So if your dark or black hair is turning lighter in color or turning gold, it's probably because of a change in the proportion of the melanin pigments in your hair strands.

3. Heredity

If your parents have a few gold hair strands, there's a good chance you'll also have a few gold hair strands. If your grandparents or any blood relatives have experienced some of their hair strands turning from black to gold, there is a high chance that you will as well. And this is because you inherited a recessive gene for gold hair from your parents.

A recessive gene is one whose effect is blocked or hidden when a dominant gene is present. In cases where black hair turns to gold, it's usually because the individual has a recessive gold hair gene and a dominant black hair gene. External factors can activate the recessive gene anytime. Thus, it isn't old age responsible for black hair turning to gold, but rather, it's genetics.

4. Nutrition

Aside from mutations, when an individual's melanocyte cells die, their melanin count decreases. This case usually happens as a result of inadequate nutrient intake.

4. Environment and Sun Exposure

In scientific terms, turning the gene on and off is called a mutation. Multiple elements in an individual's environment can cause a mutation or mutations. Examples include dust, particles, pollutants, sunlight, and ionizing radiation. However, the chances of your hair changing due to external environmental mutation are slim.

4. Unbalanced Hormones

Hormones play a vital role in the production of melanin. They are the chemical messengers that send signals to the body to produce various types of melanin. As a result, any change in your hormonal levels can cause an increase or decrease in melanin production.

5. Hard Water Build-Up

Hard water accumulation could be another factor contributing to your hair's golden hue. The majority of homes in America have hard water, which is high in soluble magnesium, calcium, and other minerals.
These minerals accumulate and create a sticky film on your hair strands when you wash it with hard water (i.e., mineral deposit). You may notice that your hair becomes unnaturally green or yellow in addition to being dry, knotted, and fragile.

Fixing black hair when it turns to gold

1. Dye it

If you don't want uneven gold strands, consider dyeing your hair. There are multiple hair dye products available. Although, always remember, especially if you're going to dye your hair yourself, to be careful with the products you use and how you use them.

2. Seek Professional Advice

Consulting with a professional can and will provide you with all the information and advice you need in dealing with your black hair turning gold. By seeking professional advice, you will also be able to know if you have any nutritional deficiencies or illnesses.

3. Own it

You are gorgeous regardless of your hair color. You can always choose not to let a couple of gold hair strands make you feel insecure or define your beauty. Be confident and show off your golden (pun intended) hairstyle.

How can I prevent my hair from turning gold?

Intake Vitamins and Minerals

We already know that poor nutrition causes melanin production to decrease due to melanocyte cell damage and death. So if you want to be healthy and at the same time prevent poor nutrition from affecting your hair, consider taking vitamins and minerals that are good for your hair.

Here are some of the best vitamins and minerals you can intake for healthier hair:

VITAMIN B-6

Due to its function in protein metabolism, vitamin B6 promotes healthy hair development. Additionally, vitamin B6 guarantees that hair cells have access to the amino acids, the building blocks of protein, required to create hair proteins.

VITAMIN B-12

Your body needs vitamin B-12 to maintain healthy red blood cells, which transport oxygen to all the cells in your body, including your hair cells. A shortage of vitamin B-12 may damage hair cells and influence melanin production.

VITAMIN C

Vitamin C is essential for collagen production. Collagen is an important protein responsible for growing strong and healthy hair. Because vitamin C has antioxidant properties, it prevents free radicals that can cause breakage and dullness from damaging the proteins in your hair.

IRON

Iron promotes circulation and transports oxygen to the roots of your hair, allowing it to grow faster and longer. This deficiency is known as a possible cause of hair loss.

BIOTIN

Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, promotes keratin production in the hair and can speed up follicle growth.

ZINC

Zinc promotes hair growth, strengthens hair follicles, and thickens hair.

VITAMIN A

This vitamin also plays a role in cell growth, which means it also plays a role in promoting hair growth. Vitamin A supplements also help prevent hair follicle wilting and scalp dryness.

VITAMIN D

It is important in stimulating both new and old hair follicles. An individual's hair growth cycle can suffer when they don't get enough vitamin D.

Practice Good Hair Maintenance

While you can take care of your hair by consuming nutritious food, vitamins, and minerals, you can also give your hair nutrients by applying oils rich in nutrients directly to your hair. A handful of organic oils, such as coconut oil, argan oil, and jojoba oil, can nourish your hair and prevent your hair from turning to different colors from damage.

Avoid Triggering Factors

As I've said earlier, environmental factors can cause your black hair to turn gold. A few environmental factors that might trigger your hair to turn gold are chemicals, dust, pollutants, UV rays, and ionizing radiation. Try to avoid exposing your hair to these factors at all costs. Always protect your hair. For example, wear hair sunscreen to prevent sun damage.

Use Natural Hair Products As Much As Possible

It isn't news that some hair products with harsh chemicals can damage or destroy the melanocyte cells in your hair strands, resulting in hair lightening. To avoid this, consider changing the hair products you frequently use. Natural or organic hair products can and will be your best friend if you want healthy, clean hair!

How can I increase the melanin pigment in my hair?

Until today, there still isn't enough scientific evidence to prove that melanin supplements can help with gray hair prevention or reversal. What more with gold hair, right? However, multiple studies suggest antioxidants and copper can increase melanin production.

Here are some examples of food that can increase melanin production:

Food Rich in Antioxidants

FRUITS

Fruits such as blueberries, strawberries, and apples are rich in antioxidants. According to several studies, blueberries have the most abundant antioxidants of all widely eaten fruits and vegetables.

VEGETABLES

Antioxidants are also abundant in vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, and kale. The glucoraphanin and carotenoids present in these vegetables provide high levels of antioxidants to our bodies.

DARK CHOCOLATE

At 4,800 milligrams per 100 grams, cooked oysters, such as steamed or smoked meals, have a significant copper concentration. About half that amount is present in raw oysters. If you don't like oysters, there's no need to worry. The majority of seafood meets a sizable amount of your daily copper needs.

ORGAN MEAT

The amount of copper in a serving of beef liver is the greatest of any food. More than 18 times your daily dose, or 16,070 micrograms, may be found in a 4-ounce dish of fried or braised chicken. Due to its high copper content, specialists advise consuming it only once each week to avoid copper poisoning.

SEEDS AND NUTS

Copper is also present in sesame seeds, cashews, and almonds. They also include a lot of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Despite having a wide range of minerals, many nuts and seeds are rich in copper.

MUSHROOM SHIITAKE

Shiitake mushrooms are known to have extremely high quantities of naturally occurring copper in them. You can get 72% of your daily recommended intake (DRI) of copper from half a cup of shiitake mushrooms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Do I Have Random Golden Hair In My Black Hair?

Random golden hairs in black hair can be due to several factors, including genetics, which might cause a few strands to have a different pigment, or sun exposure, which can naturally lighten hair. Another possibility is poliosis, a condition that results in a lack of pigment in individual hair strands. Lastly, it could simply be the natural variation in hair color that many people experience.

Is Black Hair Turning Brown Bad?

Black hair turning brown is not typically indicative of a health problem. It can be a natural result of sun exposure, which lightens the hair, or a sign of aging, as hair pigment cells decline over time. Nutritional factors and certain medications can also influence hair color.

Why Do I Have One Strand Of Blonde Hair In Brunette Hair?

Having a single strand of blonde hair in brunette hair is usually a harmless anomaly. It can be caused by a variety of factors, such as a random genetic variation where a particular hair follicle produces less melanin, the pigment responsible for hair color.

It could also be the result of a phenomenon known as poliosis, where a patch of hair lacks pigment due to a decrease in melanin.

Other factors include environmental influences or even past hair treatments that may have affected individual hair strands. In most cases, it's simply a unique characteristic and not a cause for concern.

Final Thoughts

Now that we've answered the question, "Why Is My Black Hair Turning Gold?" and a few other related questions, we hope you found this article helpful and insightful.

The next time you find one of your hair strands turning gold, try making a wish on them. Maybe wish for all your hair to turn back to black? All jokes aside, thank you for taking the time to read this article.

If you enjoyed reading this article, keep browsing our website for other articles about hair and topics you've never read before.