What does winter weather do to red hair?
As we enter the winter months, most people are concerned about the effect that the cold weather will have on their skin.
It is easy to forget that our hair is just as much a part of our body and can be affected by different weather conditions, just like our skin can!
So, what does winter actually do to our red hair and why does it make it seem darker?
During the winter period, there are three ways the season can change the appearance of your ginger hair – so don’t panic about your red shade looking darker or even more dull, we have all the answers here.
Less sunlight
As you may already know, researchers have found that red hair is caused by an over-production of pheomelanin. Pheomelanin creates a golden/ginger effect, and if you have more pheomelanin than eumelanin, you will have a lighter or reddish shade of hair, and most likely paler skin too.
In contrast to us redheads, black and brown hair is caused by eumelanin, which gives darker pigmentation of skin and hair colour.
During the winter, everyone is exposed to less sunlight. UV is what triggers an increased production of melanin, thus giving a tan for those who are able to, and so in winter, our skin produce less melanin. When it comes to hair shade, UV generally lightens strand colour, so in winter your hair colour likely becomes darker and less vibrant. There are ways to try to boost red shades all year round, and winter is as good a time as any!
Seasonal hormone changes
Scientists have found that during winter, there is an increase in the production of the hormone ‘melatonin’.
Melatonin should not be confused with melanin, as it plays a completely different role. Melatonin is responsible for regulating sleep patterns and effects pigmentation. So, aside from making you sleep more in winter, melatonin is also known to make hair shades become darker in winter.
Colder temperatures
When the temperature drops, it affects redheads more than others – duh, of course it does!
According to Kayla Lister, an LA-based Hair Colourist, red hair shades are more affected by cold temperatures than those with other hair colours because: “Red hair tends to be dryer than other hair colours, and dry hair looks more dull in general.”
Similar to the way cold weather affects the conditions of your skin, winter can make your hair lose moisture, too, which is why favouring more intensive conditioners and hair masks in winter is vital. Your hair becomes brittle and more prone to breakage in winter, because of the lack of humidity and moisture in the air. Read our tips for caring for red hair in winter
Once the moisture in your hair follicles is lost, you hair becomes dry, appears less shiny and vibrant, and no longer reflects much sunlight.
Dry hair is known for generating split ends and for making your hair appear darker, too. Split ends only add to your hair looking dull and dark, so taking extra care of your red hair in winter will really help to enhance and maintain your shade and moisture.