Leah LOVES hair. So much so, she dedicated an entire website to it! One of the founders of Hair Everyday and Chief Editor, Leah enjoys reviewing all the hair products and showcasing the best. She believes her most underrated articles are her hair care tips!
Does Albino hair hold dye? Well, let’s find out in my article below. I’ve also explained why Albino hair lacks pigment and how to take care of Albino hair better.
Albinism is a genetic disorder that results in complete or partial absence of the pigment melanin in the hair, eyes, and skin.
Albino individuals have little to no color in their hair, skin, and/or eyes. There are several causes for albino hair not having any color, but most often it is due to a lack of melanin production.
Because of the lack of color in their hair, there are often myths that have arisen that Albinos cannot color their hair and that Albino hair won’t even take the color even if you do.
So is this true? And how can you take care of your hair better if you have albinism. Well, read on to find out.
What Is Albinism?
Albinism is a group of disorders that affect the skin, hair, and eyes. There are three main types of albinism – oculocutaneous (eye), oculo-maxillary (mouth), and dermatological (skin) albinism. Albinism is caused by a mutation in one of the genes that codes for melanin pigment.
People with albinism have a lower amount of melanin in their skin, hair, and eyes, which results in decreased visibility of those areas under normal light conditions. Albinism is typically inherited in something called an autosomal recessive pattern, which means that two copies of the mutated gene must be present for a person to develop the disorder.
As mentioned above, people with albinism do not have any melanin pigment in their hairs, this makes their strands pale white or platinum in color.
Does Albino Hair Hold Dye
There are a few myths circulating online about Albino Hair and how it supposedly handles dye. The most popular of these claims is that Albino Hair doesn’t retain color as well as regular hair, which is why it’s often recommended that albino individuals avoid using hair dye.
Although there may be some truth to this theory, there’s no scientific evidence to support it. In fact, there’s evidence to suggest that albino hair can actually handle dye better than regular hair.
One study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science found that albino individuals had a higher tolerance for color than non-albinos did.
In addition, as albinos had a lower (almost nil) density of melanin pigments in their hair follicles than non-albinos did, albinos are able to more effectively trap and hold colors within their hair strands, which results in a more vibrant and lasting hue.
So, while there may be rumors that Albino Hair doesn’t hold dye as well as regular hair, this is not true. In fact, it may actually do better than regular hair when it comes to retaining color.
Why Doesn’t Albino Hair Have Color?
Albino hair doesn’t have color because it lacks melanin – the pigment that creates most of the color in human hair.
Melanin is produced in the pigment-producing cells of the hair follicle, and it helps to create the black, brown, red, and yellow colors in human hair. Albino hair generally lacks all of these colors, which is why it is often described as white or silver.
The cause of albinism is unknown, but it may be caused by genetic or environmental factors.
Because albinism affects the melanin production pathway, people with the condition usually have very light brown or white hair that lacks any color other than black.
Albino individuals also tend to have low levels of melanin in their eyes and skin, which can make them vulnerable to UV (ultraviolet) damage. Yes this includes UV damage to hair strands as well.
Is It Easier To Dye Albino Hair
Yes, of course. It is easier for Albino people to dye their hair than people with hair colors. The white, translucent quality of albino people gives them a plain white background to color your hair.
Also, people with Albino hair do not need to bleach their tresses. So there is no damage from that. They don’t even need to use a strong developer.
It also becomes easier to dye your hair a very light color like baby pink or periwinkle.
What Hair Color Will Suit Albino People?
Some popular hair colors that suit albinos include light brown, golden blond, strawberry blond, and light ash brown. It’s important to keep in mind that not all hair colors will look good on every person, so it’s always best to consult with a professional before making any major decisions.
Here are a few general tips that may help you choose the right hair color for someone who is albino:
1. Choose a color that is close to their natural skin tone – If the albino person’s natural skin color is close to the hair color you are trying to match, it will be easier for them to tolerate the new hair color.
2. Avoid colors that are too bright or too dark – Colors that are too bright or too dark may be too harsh for a person with albinism and may cause discomfort or even pain.
3. Keep in mind the client’s skin type – Some people with light skin tones may experience more sensitivity to certain colors than others, so it is important to test different colors on a small part of the client’s skin before making a final decision.
Is Albino Hair Harder To Dye Than Regular Hair
No not really, this myth arises from the fact that naturally white hair or gray hair IS in fact hard to dye. But that has more to do with the age of the hair than the pigment in it. So a lot of people who think Albino hair won’t take hair dye well are wrong.
Your hair does not just lose pigment as it ages and becomes gray. It also loses collagen so your hair’s natural shape is lost. Grey hair is also prone to dryness because the hair loses its natural lubrication (from the sebum glands) as you age.
However, none of these things have anything to do with Albino hair, so you can be assured that your Albino hair won’t be harder to dye than regular hair.
But there might be one little hitch to having albino hair. The lack of melanin means Albino hair is more prone to UV damage. But this has nothing to do with coloring your hair either.
If you have albino hair you just need to protect it from the sun better to reduce the chances of damage.
Is Natural Albino Hair Same As Bleached Platinum Hair
No, not really. The main difference is that albino hair will be virgin hair (unprocessed and untouched by chemical or bleach) while bleached platinum hair has got that color after several sittings of chemical lightening.
So the Albino person’s hair will be less damaged and more healthy than the bleached hair. If you have dark hair and have gone to a platinum color it is obvious that you must have lifted your hair at least 7-8 levels after multiple rounds of bleaching and toning.
This process can have significant ill-effects of hair including loss of structural integrity to protein loss, dryness, breakage and frizz.
Albino hair might be damaged due to the individual’s hair care routine, health, etc. but it won’t be as damaged as bleached hair.
If An Albino Person Dyed Their Hair A Dark Color Will It Damage Their Hair
This is a difficult question to answer, as there is no definitive answer. However, generally speaking, it is generally safe to dye your hair any color you want as long as you are aware of the potential risks.
Some potential risks associated with hair color include: pigmentation issues, excess hair growth, scalp irritation, and even hair loss. Therefore, it is important to be aware of these risks and take appropriate steps to mitigate them as much as possible.
If you are still concerned about the risks involved, you can always consult a professional before making any final decisions.
But generally, an Albino individual dyeing their hair a dark color won’t have any adverse effects. There might be issues with the dye itself. So you should always choose ammonia-free dyes.
Conclusion
Albinism is a rare genetic disorder that affects the skin, eyes, hair and nails. People with albinism have a lack of melanin, which is a pigment that gives color to the skin, hair and eyes.
It is caused by a combination of genes and usually affects people who are of European descent. However, it can manifest itself in people with Asian and African people.
People with this condition do not have any pigment in their hair due to complete lack of melanin. This makes their hair appear white and translucent.
And yes, people with albinism can dye their hair. Actually, albino hair is rather easier to dye than regular hair as it won’t require bleaching.
If you’re looking to go for a light hair dye then it will come out really well on the light, unbleached surface. And if you want a darker hair color, you can use it without having to worry about lightning hair and the damage that will follow.
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