Albino people have always been an epicenter of everyone’s attention due to their unusual and extraterrestrial appearance. White skin and striking-white hair make them look like some kind of “snow people”, provoking more questions than giving answers.
And one of the most frequently asked questions is whether albino hair can be dyed or not. People wonder how this snow-white hair can work with hair dye and whether it can do it at all.
In addition, since albino people are known to be rather sensitive in terms of the reactions of their skin to chemicals, it is a reasonable question: how can their hair and scalp react to chemicals in dyes?
So today we will do our best to investigate these topics.
You will learn whether albinos can dye their hair and if yes, then what colors they should stick to. In addition, we will share more interesting and unexpected information with you about these mysterious people and the specifics of their appearance.
Can Albinos Dye Their Hair?
There is no need to say that albino hair color is very rare and unique. However, this feature makes it not only incredibly unique and beautiful. Due to it, albino hair is also not easy to dye.
However, it doesn’t mean that albinos can’t dye their hair. They can! But if an albino decides to change their hair color, he or she will have to take a few factors into consideration, as well as get ready for the dyeing procedure more thoroughly than an ordinary person would have to.
There is a belief that albino hair won’t hold color at all, which makes the dyeing procedure impossible. Nevertheless, this is only partially true. See, albino people can actually dye their hair any color they want! However, there are certain nuances that should be taken into consideration if they want to succeed:
- Dyeing can be very damaging for an albino’s hair and scalp because of the lack of melanin
- Repeated hair dye application could cause damage to their hair follicles which might lead to hair loss or thinning
- Albino skin is very sensitive to chemicals so using permanent hair dye could lead to a severe skin irritation
This is why albino people should always do a patch test 48 hours before they start dyeing their hair. It will allow them to see if there is any allergic reaction to the dye they want to use.
Also, they do have some restrictions regarding the type of hair dye they can use. In particular, using permanent hair dyes must be avoided by all means. Instead, it is best for albinos to stick to temporary or semi-permanent dyes to help change the color of their hair. See, temporary or semi-permanent dyes are much less harsh and harmful for their fragile and sensitive hair!
Also, albino people can use henna hair dye but in this case, they should use it with caution since this natural coloring pigment can give rather unpredictable results!
This is because the majority of hair dyes are made for the hair with the base color, which albino people don’t have.
But no matter what kind of dye they use, they will most likely need multiple sessions since albino hair doesn’t hold the pigment well enough. It means that the dye might not hold to the hair from the very first attempt.
What Exactly Does Albinism Mean?
Albinism is a genetic condition that affects 1 in 20 000 people worldwide. Albino people have little or no pigment in their eyes, skin, and/or hair due to absent or non-functioning tyrosinase (an enzyme responsible for pigmentation).
There are two types of Albinism. One is called Oculocutaneous and it typically affects the eyes, skin, and hair, and the other one is called Ocular. This one affects only the eyes of a person.
Albino people have striking white hair that looks mysterious and eye-catching. However, the price for this effect can sometimes be pretty high. See, albino hair is not like other people’s hair, and it’s not only about the color of it. Well, it is partially related to the color.
See, albino hair has no pigment, a bit like grey hair. It means that this kind of hair is initially more fragile and vulnerable when it comes to any exposures be it chemicals, pollution, or even hair products. With such delicate hair, albino people have to be more careful with what they apply to their hair!
Is it possible that albino parents transfer their albinism to their children?
Yes, albinism is passed down through generations. People are born with albinism when they inherit an albinism gene from their parents. In oculocutaneous albinism, both parents must carry an albinism gene for their child to be born with albinism.
What Colors Can Albino People Dye Their Hair With?
Although being an albino means that one has to pay more attention to the hair care routine and dyeing products as well, it also has some perks that other people don’t have. For example, the great feature of albino white hair is that it is like a great blank canvas for all kinds of colors!
Unlike those with brown, black, or red hair, albinos can try a way more varied palette of colors on their manes! It can even work for them if they dye their naturally white hair with such colors as neon and pastels (which is often a problem for other hair colors)!
And the best thing is that for this purpose, they won’t have to bleach their hair to get fabulous shades like people with a base hair color would have to!
If you wonder what colors will work best of all for these white-haired “aliens”, here are several hair color options that will look awesome on albino folks!
- Bold neon shades
- Pastels
- Platinum blonde
- Silver
- Vibrant red
- Electric pink
- Ginger
- Fantasy colors
- Dark brown/black
The only significant downside of albino hair is that when it is dyed, it may start losing color quite quickly. Besides, the color you apply to your albino hair may result in quite an unpredictable shade that’s completely different from what you expected! This is why dyeing albino hair is always a bit or a gamble.
Finally, as an albino, you must be very cautious about what kind of dye you use. Albino hair and scalp are very sensitive, making it somewhat problematic to use any dye you want.
So always read the label of the dye carefully to make sure it is safe for sensitive skin! Otherwise, you may end up with quite a nasty allergic reaction.
A Few Handy Tips For You If You Are an Albino Who Wants to Dye Your Hair
If you are an albino and you’d like to change your natural hair color to another one, we recommend you keep a few useful tips in mind. They will allow you to apply the new color successfully, making it last longer (well, at least as long as your hair texture will allow it!).
- The color you will get in the end may be stronger! Because typically the dye is designed for hair with a base color, you can expect the shade you apply to be considerably bolder or brighter
- Remember to color your brows and eyelashes as well! They don’t have to be the same color as your hair, but they should complement it
- Keep an eye on possible allergic reactions and skin irritations when dyeing your hair because your skin is extremely sensitive to chemicals!
- Note that albino hair doesn’t hold hair dye well enough because there isn’t any pigment in it. This means that your hair will start fading faster than normal
- Before you apply hair dye, you may want to ‘fill’ your strands’ shafts and cortex with pigment before any color is applied
With these tips in mind, you will be able to predict what color effect you will get on your mane when you go to a salon to have it dyed. And also, these recommendations will help you keep the new color longer on your locks.
How to Take Care Of Albino Hair?
Since albino hair is very delicate and sensitive, you need to provide it with a proper care and maintenance routine. It will help you support your hair’s health and keep it looking good and healthy.
Naturally, you can’t just wash your white hair randomly with regular shampoos! But what shall you do?
Install Water Filters In Your Shower
Harsh water, as well as chlorine in it can damage albino hair. This is why you should ensure that the water you wash your hair with is as soft as possible. For this purpose, you can use either water filters or water softeners.
Filters will remove various pollutants including heavy metals, chemicals, microbes, and bacteria from the water you use. Water softeners will specifically aim at heavy metals and minerals that can be found in hard water to make it softer.
Use Clarifying Shampoo
By using a clarifying shampoo regularly, you will help your white hair get rid of some of the pollutants that it tends to collect daily. If you live in a heavily polluted area, then you might need to opt for a more harsh alternative, which is a chelating shampoo. These help you get rid of heavy metals, mineral build-up, and other environmental pollutants in your hair, but they are very drying!
No matter which option you choose, do not use these shampoos daily! They should be used as needed, but no more than two times a week. Also, after each use, make sure to deep condition your hair afterward since these products are both very drying.
Cover Your Hair
No matter the season, your albino hair needs protection from the sun, wind, heat, and cold! This is why make sure it is always covered with a hat, a cap, a hood, or even a scarf! It will help you keep your hair stronger and healthier.
Well, now you know what it means to have albino hair! As you can see, albino folks can still dye their awesome locks, although the effect might be a bit not like for others due to the hair specifics.
Also, you are now aware of certain hair care nuances that should be considered for those with albino white hair. With all the information and tips we shared today, you will be able to take care of your hair if you are an albino.
Your gorgeous white locks will only get better and more beautiful!
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