![Why does blonde hair turn brown and how to fix it – HairstyleCamp](https://affopedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/blonde-hair-turning-brown-1000x600.jpg)
Why does blonde hair turn brown and how to fix it – HairstyleCamp
Many people with blonde hair see their hair turning brown as they age, but why does this happen? This can be due to genetics or age and other controllable elements (accumulation of products or environmental factors).
You can prevent the change or return faded blonde hair to its original color. This article explores the causes, prevention and solutions of blonde hair turning brown.
Why does blonde hair turn brown?
Here are the main reasons for blonde hair turning brown.
Pigment activation
Melanin’s properties can turn on or off as hormones change at different stages of life. Changes are more common during puberty and during or after pregnancy. Also, blonde hair has very little omelanin. But as you age, the production of omelanin accelerates and darkens your blonde hair.
Environmental factors
![Why does blonde hair turn brown - environmental factors](https://hairstylecamp.com/wp-content/uploads/Why-Does-Blonde-Hair-Turn-Brown-Environmental-Factors.jpg.webp)
Exposure to air pollution and humidity increases melanin production, which causes your hair to darken. Overexposure to UV rays damages the protective cuticle and sets your hair up for discoloration. The UV rays also increase melanin production, which darkens your hair even more.
Frequent use of hard water
Hard water has a high amount of minerals, which fill your shaft and cause blonde hair to darken. Even if your water is not hard, minerals from old lead or copper pipes can seep into your water. The minerals in hard water make blonde hair dry and brittle, resulting in a dull look.
Build
![Why does blonde hair turn brown - accumulation](https://hairstylecamp.com/wp-content/uploads/Why-Does-Blonde-Hair-Turn-Brown-buildup.jpg)
Products like mousse, hair spray and gel deposit a heavy substance that weighs your hair down. Rust buildup can also discolor your hair, especially if you use well water. Blonde hair absorbs product build-up easily.
The buildup prevents pigment molecules from sticking to your hair. As a result, your hair becomes dull on top.
Too much heat
Excessive heat from styling tools leads to dryness, breakage and split ends. The damaged structure makes your hair more prone to discoloration from the elements. Also, when you wash your hair with hot water, the nails open up and fade more.
Excessive use of purple shampoo
![Why does blonde hair turn brown - too much purple shampoo](https://hairstylecamp.com/wp-content/uploads/Why-Does-Blonde-Hair-Turn-Brown-too-much-purple-shampoo-usage.jpg.webp)
Purple shampoo counteracts yellow undertones to enhance hair color with a cool tone. However, using too much purple shampoo causes your hair to absorb the purple pigment into the nail. As a result, your blonde hair becomes darker.
What to do to prevent blonde hair from turning brown?
Blonde hair turning brown due to hormones is not something you can prevent. However, for other external factors, use the prevention measures below to maintain your blonde hair.
Avoid hard water
Add a home water filter if your area has hard water. That way, you keep away the minerals that color your blonde hair. If an entire home water system is too expensive, invest in a shower head filter.
Protect from chlorine
![Prevent blonde hair from turning brown - protect against chlorine](https://hairstylecamp.com/wp-content/uploads/prevent-blonde-hair-from-turning-brown-protect-from-chlorine.jpg)
Put on a swimming cap before entering the pool to protect your hair strands from contact with chlorinated water.
Alternatively, spray your hair with tap or filtered water before entering the pool. The chlorine-free water ensures that your hair does not absorb much chlorine from the pool water.
Avoid hair build-up
Use a vinegar, clarifying or absorbent shampoo to remove build-up from each strand of hair. Clarifying shampoo removes product build-up, while vinegar and Celtic shampoo remove metals from your hair.
Cheltie shampoos also remove color-fading deposits to extend the life of your hair color.
Cut on the heat
Use quality heat products on your hair before using heat tools. Then, set the devices to low or medium heat levels to avoid damaging the hair.
If you must wash your hair with hot water, use a cold water rinse to close the cuticle cells. This way you give your hair a shinier look and prevent dullness.
Treat with leave in conditioner
![Prevent blonde hair from turning brown - leave in conditioner](https://hairstylecamp.com/wp-content/uploads/prevent-blonde-hair-from-turning-brown-leave-in-conditioner.jpg)
A leave-in conditioner creates a protective barrier around the shaft of your hair. The layer protects your hair from environmental pollutants that can cause this discoloration. For example, collagen-infused leave-in conditioners protect your hair from damage from heat tools.
Avoid harsh chemical treatments
Blonde hair turning brown can be due to frequent use of harsh chemicals. Therefore, use sulfate-free shampoos that reduce brassiness. Also, choose natural products that are gentle on your hair and scalp.
How to fix blonde hair that has turned brown
![Ways to fix blonde hair that has turned brown](https://hairstylecamp.com/wp-content/uploads/Ways-to-Fix-Blonde-Hair-That-Turned-Brown.jpg.webp)
You can adopt healthy hair care or use chemicals or natural means to bring back blonde hair.
- Use chemicals: Add highlights, blonde dyes or toners to recreate your blonde bombshell presence. Bleach works faster, but hair dyes are better than bleach if you want to maintain healthy hair.
- Use lemon juice: Spray your hair with equal portions of olive oil and lemon juice. Then, stay in the sun for 30 minutes before styling or conditioning your hair.
- Apply hydrogen peroxide: Like lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide lightens hair. So, spray your hair with hydrogen peroxide and let it dry in the sun, then apply a leave-in conditioner. Do not leave too long because hydrogen peroxide is a strong bleaching agent.
- Use specific products for blonde hair: Use shampoos and conditioners designed for blondes to ensure you don’t strip your hair of natural pigments. Also, use products with natural ingredients like calendula and chamomile.
- Nourish your hair: Use moisturizing masks to replenish moisture in the hair. Also, use butter and natural oils that protect you from harsh weather and chemicals that change your hair color.
- Wash with chamomile tea: Boil five chamomile tea bags in two cups of water and then let stand for a few minutes. Apply and leave in the mixture after washing the hair.
Natural methods such as lemon juice and chamomile tea are not a one-time solution. Therefore, you will have to repeat the procedure several times to get the desired results.
Common questions
Here are some of the frequently asked questions.
Most blonde hair turns naturally brown with age and factors such as hormones and harsh weather. The change occurs when the amount of eumelanin in your hair increases.
Yes, bleached blonde hair can turn brown based on the depth of the bleaching process. If the bleach is light and you have a darker shade of blonde, your hair will most likely go back to brown.
Blonde hair turning brown is not uncommon because the genes that cause melanin turn on and off throughout your life. If an increase in the cells under the hair occurs, blonde hair turns brown.
So why is my blonde hair turning brown?
Your blonde hair turns brown due to the following factors.
- Hormonal changes that increase the production of omelanin
- Deposits of mineral build-up, milk and hair products
- Prolonged exposure to harsh environmental conditions such as UV rays and pollutants
- Inappropriate methods such as using excessive temperatures in hair styling tools