Why is my hair turning pink, especially after bleaching? And can it? Well, yes, hair can turn pink for a variety of reasons. The most common causes are hair dye, damage from bleaching, chemical processing, sun exposure, chlorine exposure, medications, and nutrient deficiencies.
Blonde hair can turn pink when warm underlying pigments show through porous, damaged hair shafts. While subtle pink hues can rarely occur naturally, bright pink hair is always artificial.
Proper hair care helps keep natural and chemically lightened blonde hair free of unwanted pink tones.
This article will explore how hair turns pink, tips for treating existing pink hair, prevention advice, why blonde hair goes pink, and whether pink hair can occur naturally.
Why is My Hair Turning Pink - 6 top Reasons
Yes, it is possible for hair to turn pink. There are a few potential causes of pink hair that are important to understand.
Hair Dye and Coloration Products
One of the most common causes of pink hair coloration is the use of hair dye and coloration products. Many hair dyes contain red pigments, which can turn hair pink when applied to light blonde or bleached hair. It is essential to choose the right hair dye for your hair type and color and follow the instructions carefully to avoid unwanted color changes.
Environmental Factors
Environmental factors, such as pollution, can also cause pink hair coloration. Polluted air can contain chemicals that can react with the hair, causing it to turn pink. It is essential to protect your hair from environmental factors by wearing a hat or using a hair protection product.
Bleaching and Sun Exposure
Bleaching and sun exposure can also cause pink hair coloration. When hair is bleached or exposed to the sun, it can become dry and brittle, making it more susceptible to color changes. It is essential to protect your hair from the sun and use a deep conditioning treatment after bleaching to keep your hair healthy.
Hair Product Reactions
Some hair products can cause a reaction that can result in pink hair coloration. This can happen if you use a product that contains an ingredient that your hair is sensitive to. It is essential to read the labels of hair products carefully and do a patch test before using them to avoid allergic reactions.
In conclusion, pink hair coloration can be caused by a variety of factors, including hair dye, environmental factors, bleaching and sun exposure, and hair product reactions. It is essential to take care of your hair and protect it from these factors to avoid unwanted color changes.
Dietary Deficiencies
I have found that dietary deficiencies can be a common cause of hair turning pink. Specifically, a lack of essential nutrients like iron, zinc, and copper can lead to changes in hair color.
Iron is an important mineral for hair health and a deficiency can cause hair to become dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. In some cases, it can also cause hair to turn pink. Zinc and copper are also essential nutrients for hair health and deficiencies in either of these minerals can lead to changes in hair color.
To ensure that you are getting enough of these essential nutrients, it is important to maintain a balanced and varied diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Foods that are particularly rich in iron include red meat, poultry, fish, beans, and leafy green vegetables. Zinc can be found in foods like oysters, beef, pork, and nuts, while copper is abundant in foods like liver, shellfish, nuts, and seeds.
If you suspect that your hair turning pink may be due to a dietary deficiency, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of action. They may recommend dietary changes or supplements to help address any nutrient deficiencies and improve hair health.
Medical Conditions
As a medical professional, I have seen cases where hair turns pink due to underlying medical conditions. Here are some of the medical conditions that can cause hair to turn pink:
- Albinism: Albinism is a genetic condition that affects the production of melanin, which is responsible for giving color to our hair, skin, and eyes. People with albinism have little or no melanin, which can cause their hair to appear pinkish or reddish in color.
- Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. This can cause a variety of symptoms, including hair loss and changes in hair color. In some cases, hair may turn pink or reddish due to the lack of thyroid hormone.
- Porphyria: Porphyria is a group of genetic disorders that affect the production of heme, a component of hemoglobin. People with porphyria may experience a range of symptoms, including sensitivity to sunlight, abdominal pain, and changes in hair color. In some cases, hair may turn pink or reddish due to the accumulation of porphyrins in the hair.
It is important to note that while these medical conditions can cause changes in hair color, they are rare and often accompanied by other symptoms. If you are experiencing changes in hair color, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause.
What To Do If Hair Turned Pink After Bleaching?
If your hair has turned pink after bleaching, it's likely due to some residual color or toner that wasn't fully removed. Here's what you can do:
- Use a clarifying shampoo: This type of shampoo can help remove traces of color from your hair. Wash your hair with it a couple of times and see if the pink fades.
- Try a toner: A toner can neutralize unwanted hues. For pink shades, you'll need a green-based toner to counteract the red tones.
- Apply a hair mask: Sometimes, hair needs a bit of nourishment after bleaching. A hair mask can help restore moisture and may also help reduce unwanted color.
- Use color remover: There are products specifically designed to remove unwanted hair dye. Follow the instructions carefully.
- Consult a professional: If you're not comfortable trying to fix it yourself or if the above steps don't work, it's best to see a professional hairdresser. They can assess the situation and choose the appropriate method to correct the color.
Remember, hair can be sensitive after bleaching, so whatever method you choose, be gentle to avoid further damage.
How to prevent your hair from turning pink
If you want to avoid pink hair in the future, here are some tips:
- Avoid overprocessing hair with bleach or other chemical treatments. Allow enough time between sessions. Always do a strand test first to check for damage.
- Use a violet-toned shampoo or conditioner regularly to neutralize brassiness and prevent pink undertones from developing.
- Get a toner or semi-permanent dye applied at a salon to neutralize the pink tones. Go for an ashy or platinum blonde shade.
- Rinse hair with cool water and limit heat styling to prevent damage leading to porosity and odd tones.
- When swimming, wet hair first and apply a protective pre-swim spray. Rinse out chlorine immediately after.
- Take hair supplements with biotin, folic acid, zinc, and iron to maintain strength and healthy pigment.
- Wear a hat when outdoors and use a leave-in conditioner with UV protection to limit sun damage.
- Get regular trims and use hydrating masks to keep hair in optimal condition. Healthy hair reflects light better.
- Consult with a dermatologist if pink hair could be medication-related. Switching medications may be required.
How to Fix Hair That Turned Pink After Toning or Bleaching
- Use a toner or permanent dye to correct existing pink tones. An ash blonde or platinum shade works well.
- Opt for gentler hair lightening products like bleach-free lightning drops. They lift hair more gradually to prevent damage. ,
- Don't overlap bleach with permanent color. Bleach first, then tone hair before applying permanent color.
- Avoid washing hair daily and use cooler water temperatures to prevent drying out hair and scalp.
- Deep condition hair weekly and avoid hot tools daily to prevent oxidative damage leading to porosity.
- Check all hair products for blue or violet pigments which counteract pink tones. Consider a blue shampoo.
- Take biotin supplements and maintain an iron-rich diet to keep hair pigment balanced and prevent abnormalities.
- Take precautions like hats, scarves and UV protecting products whenever hair is exposed to lots of sunlight.
Why does blonde hair go pink?
Blonde hair can turn pink when the hair's underlying warm pigments show through. Blonde hair still contains traces of red and gold tones. When the hair's outer layers become damaged and porous, these warmer undertones interact with light and start to make hair look pink or orange-y.
The lighter and more processed the blonde is, the more prone it is to absorbing unwanted warm tones from sun exposure or heat styling and turning pink.
Regular toning and conditioning is required to keep blonde hair free of pinkness. An anti-brass violet shampoo helps neutralize pink tones. Avoiding overlapping bleach and color services also minimizes porosity and damage that makes blonde hair prone to pinkness.
So in essence, pinkness occurs in blonde hair due to damage revealing underlying warm pigments. ,
Can pink hair occur naturally?
Yes, natural pink hair is possible but very rare. A genetic condition called erythrism results in an abnormal amount of red melanin pigment in hair follicles. Erythrism causes reddish or pinkish hair all over the body.
People with albinism can also sometimes have hair that appears pinkish. The reduced melanin in hair shafts of albino individuals makes their naturally light blonde hair reflect light differently so it can look pinkish.
However, true bright pink hair does not occur naturally. Any sudden onset of pink hair is most likely related to external factors like hair chemical treatments, chlorine exposure, nutrient deficiencies, or medications.
Consulting a doctor is recommended if hair rapidly turns pink with no known cause. While it is possible for subtle pinkish hues to exist naturally in blonde hair, distinct pink hair is always artificial. Proper hair care helps keep natural or chemically lightened blonde hair free of unwanted pink tones.
Can Hair Sunscreen Turn Hair Peachy or Pink Color?
Yes, hair sunscreen can potentially turn hair peachy or pink in color, especially if the sunscreen contains certain ingredients like avobenzone or octocrylene. These chemicals can react with the hair's proteins and pigments when exposed to sunlight, resulting in a color change. This is more likely to occur in lighter or bleached hair. To prevent this, it's important to choose a hair sunscreen specifically formulated to avoid discoloration and to thoroughly rinse the hair after swimming or sun exposure. Additionally, wearing a hat or using a UV-protective hair product can help minimize the risk of color changes.
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