As a brunette, you might notice your hair taking on a warmer tone during the summer months. When stepping out into the sun, those brown strands can suddenly appear red in the mirror, leaving you feeling panicked. This change is caused by the sun’s effect on brassy, tawny tones, which are commonly seen in blondes but can also affect brunette hair. Over time, orange hues may develop, but with proper hair care tips and product swaps, you can prevent and fix brassy brown hair with ease.
How Does Hair Get Its Colour?
When we talk about why brown hair looks red in the sun, it’s important to start with some science. Your hair gets its color from a pigment called melanin. The more melanin you have, the darker your hair. If you have less melanin, your hair appears lighter. Two types of melanin, eumelanin and pheomelanin, dictate the tone and color of your hair, making everything quite straightforward to understand.
Why Does Brown Hair Look Red in the Sun?
Brown hair often looks red in the sun due to UV rays. These rays have a bleaching effect on your locks, revealing underlying red tones. During the British summer, both skin and hair react to the sun. Just like UV rays damage melanin in the skin, they also bleach the melanin in your hair, especially in brunette strands. As the UV rays get stronger in the summer, some strands turn a copper red colour due to warmer tones being exposed.
How Can I Stop My Brown Hair Going Red in the Sun?
Brown hair often appears red in the sun because UV rays cause a bleaching effect on your locks, bringing out underlying red tones. Similar to how the sun affects your skin, it also bleaches the melanin in your hair, especially during the British summer. Brunette strands can reveal a copper red color as warmer tones surface. Additionally, you may wonder, why does blonde hair turn brown? This happens when the melanin levels in the hair increase, making it darker over time.
How to Care for Sun-Damaged Hair
Just like your skin, your hair needs protection from the sun. If it’s overexposed to harmful UV rays, start by treating it with a weekly mask to improve its condition. Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to restore your locks. A local hair salon can trim it, making your hair look healthier, happier, and bouncier. If you’re wondering, does hair spray cause hair loss, the answer is no, but proper care is still important for healthy hair.
What is brassy brown hair?
Brassy brown hair occurs when red and orange tones appear in colour-treated brown hair. This brassiness shows up as red or orange undertones in your base colour. When brown hair is lightened, such as with balayage or ombré, the melanin in your natural brunette hue gets stripped, making these warm tones more visible. Regular care is essential to keep your hair looking its best.
What does brassy brown hair look like?
Brassy brunette hair can appear dull and lifeless, with noticeable red and orange tones that don’t blend well with the brown, creating a stark contrast.
How to stop brown hair going brassy
- To maintain your brunette hair and avoid brassiness, start with a blue shampoo in your regular haircare routine.
- Use color-protecting shampoos and conditioners, like the Brilliant Brunette range, to keep your hair’s multi-dimensional tones vibrant.
- Wash your hair every 2-3 days to preserve natural oils and prevent fading.
- After shampooing, rinse with cool water to seal the cuticle.
- Avoid excessive heat styling, and use the Heat Defeat Protecting Spray.
- Protect your hair from UV rays and chlorine with a UV-protectant spray.
- Regular touch-up appointments keep your color fresh.
- For extra protection, use a leave-in conditioner.
- Can headbands cause hair loss? They can be worn too tightly or too often, so be mindful!
How to remove brassy tones from brown hair
Just like purple shampoo works for blondes, a blue shampoo helps neutralize the brassy tones in brown hair. It counteracts unwanted orange and red tones in brunettes. The blue pigments in the shampoo are deposited onto your hair strands when you wash it, helping to counteract brassy tones and restore your hair’s natural look. Regular use of blue shampoos can keep your color looking fresh.
How to use blue shampoo and conditioner
Start with wet hair and ensure it’s fully saturated from roots to ends. Apply a small amount of blue shampoo based on your hair’s length and thickness. Massage the shampoo into your scalp, focusing on areas with brassiness. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the blue pigments to work, then rinse with cool water. Follow up with a blue conditioner or hair mask to restore moisture and elasticity. If you’re asking, “why are my braids so itchy,” it might be due to dryness or product buildup on your scalp, so regular cleansing is key.
Conclusion
Maintaining dark brown hair can be a challenge when exposed to sunlight and environmental factors. With proper care, such as using color-protecting products, reducing sun exposure, and regularly treating your hair with blue shampoo, you can prevent brassiness and maintain your hair’s natural look. Regular trims, moisturizing treatments, and protection from UV rays also help preserve your hair’s color and health.
FAQ’s
Why does my brown hair turn red in the sun?
Brown hair has a natural red undertone that becomes more visible under sunlight. Factors like chlorine, heat, and styling tools can damage and slowly lighten the hair, making the red more noticeable.
Why does my black hair look reddish in the sun?
Environmental factors like exposure to the sun can cause black hair to lighten, turning it red, copper, or even blonde. The natural oils on your scalp may also interact with the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, slowly altering your hair color over time.
How do I keep my dark brown hair from turning red?
To prevent your color-treated brown hair from turning red, follow these six tips: Use products made for color-treated hair, reduce sun exposure, avoid heat tools, choose a neutral-toned hair dye, apply
Why does my dark brown hair fade to red?
When you go lighter than your natural color, the underlying pigments in brown and black hair become visible. These darker orange and red pigments cause the hair to look brassy as it’s lightened, unlike blonde hair.
