Blonde hair color can range from nearly platinum to dark golden blonde. Dirty blonde specifically refers to blonde shades that are darker and contain subtle highlights of brown. As people age, their hair naturally begins to lose pigmentation and turn grey or white. But does dirty blonde hair turn grey or white with age? Let’s take a look at the science behind hair color changes.
The Difference Between Grey and White Hair
Before examining how dirty blonde hair changes with age, it’s helpful to understand the difference between grey and white hair:
| Grey Hair | White Hair |
|---|---|
| Grey hair contains some pigment | White hair contains no pigment |
| Appears as a mix of white and original hair color | Appears solid white or fully depigmented |
| Usually precedes white hair | Represents a more advanced stage of hair depigmentation |
As people age, their hair normally transitions from colored to grey before eventually turning white. The onset of grey hair usually begins in a person’s 30s or 40s, while complete whitening often occurs after age 50.
The Pigments That Create Hair Color
To understand how blonde hair becomes grey or white, it’s helpful to first look at the pigments that create hair color:
- Eumelanin – This dark brown/black pigment creates brunette and black hair shades.
- Pheomelanin – This red/yellow pigment creates redhead and blonde hair shades.
Blonde hair contains mostly pheomelanin with very little eumelanin. As people age and hair begins to lose its pigment, blonde hair tones shift towards grey or white faster than darker shades since there is less eumelanin pigment to begin with.
The Effects of Aging on Hair Pigment
So why does hair lose its color and turn grey or white with age? It primarily comes down to changes in pigment production:
- Melanocyte stem cells in hair follicles produce melanin pigments.
- As people get older, melanocyte stem cells become less active and produce less melanin.
- With less melanin, hair pigment diminishes and hair loses its color.
Research has identified cell stress and DNA damage within melanocytes as factors that can lead to reduced melanin production as we age. Certain genetic factors can also predispose people to premature greying.
How Dirty Blonde Hair Tends to Change with Age
Now back to our original question – do dirty blondes go grey or white? The answer is most often grey followed by eventual whitening. Here’s a look at the typical pigment changes:
- Dirty blonde hair contains a small amount of brown eumelanin pigment along with larger amounts of blonde pheomelanin.
- As pigment diminishes with age, the brown hues fade first while the blonde pheomelanin hues hang on longer.
- This causes dirty blonde hair to take on a lighter “salt and pepper” grey appearance before transitioning to solid white.
While this is the most common pattern, the timing and exact nature of the color change can vary:
| Age of Onset | Appearance of Greying |
|---|---|
| Can start in 30s or 40s but more commonly begins in 50s and 60s | Usually appears first at temples and crown |
| Onset can be earlier or later based on genetics | Transition often subtle at first then speeds up over time |
| Stress may accelerate greying | Hair can take on yellowish hues as blonde pigment fades |
Options for Managing Grey Hair
While allowing hair to naturally grey and white is an option, many choose to slow the process with various treatments. Here are some of the most popular ways to manage greying dirty blonde locks:
Coloring Treatments
- Dyeing – Fully covering greys with permanent or semi-permanent dye is an option. Must be maintained through frequent root touch-ups.
- Highlighting – Selective highlights and lowlights can help blend greys and make color changes less drastic.
- Gloss – Clear semi-permanent gloss adds shine and tone to minimize the appearance of grey hairs as they come in.
Natural Alternatives
- Herbal rinses – Rinsing hair with herbal tea or infusions can temporarily stain greys and enhance blonde tones.
- Supplements – Some supplements like silica and vitamin B12 may help slow down greying.
- Scalp care – Exfoliating and massaging the scalp may help maintain healthy melanocyte function.
Embracing the Transition
While covering up greys is a valid choice, many embrace their natural hair color changes. The transition to grey and eventually white hair marks a rite of passage and the accumulation of wisdom that comes with age. There are also more styling products than ever that are specially formulated for grey and white hair. From shampoos that reduce yellowing to sprays that mimic fuller pigmented hair, you can gradually grow into your new lighter locks.
Conclusion
In summary, dirty blonde hair will typically develop a salt and pepper grey appearance with age before eventually turning solid white. The timing of this transition is partially genetic but often begins in a person’s 50s and 60s. While dyeing to conceal greys remains popular, more people are embracing their natural hair color changes. With the right hair care regimen and styling techniques, gradually grey and white hair can look vibrant and chic at any age.
