Albino hair is a very rare type of hair, which makes it incredibly unique and beautiful. But it’s not easy being an albino. The striking look of ice white hair can make it difficult to find colours that match your skin tone. It can be hard finding clothes that work because there are fewer options for people with pale skin tones. And it’s also tough finding makeup shades that blend well with your complexion. But don’t worry, because today we’re going to answer: Can albino people dye their hair?
The good news is, the answer is yes! A person with albinism can dye their hair any colour they want.
But there are some things to consider before making a decision like this one.
Let’s talk about what happens when you dye your hair as an albino person, why it matters and how much time should go into thinking through this choice before doing anything rash.
Let get started!
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Can albinos dye their hair?
It’s a question that has been asked many times before. Can albinos dye their hair?
The answer is yes! Hoorah! But there are a few things to consider before you decide to take the plunge yourself.
The first thing you need to know is that it can be very damaging for an albino’s hair and scalp because of their lack of melanin.
It could cause damage to your hair follicles which would lead to hair loss or thinning from repeated processing.
Albino skin happens to be very sensitive to chemicals so using permanent hair dye could lead to a nasty skin irritation.
(Always do a patch test 48 before any hair dyeing to check for any allergic reactions).
It’s best to use temporary or semi-permanent dyes to help change the colour of your hair.
Henna hair dye is also a good, chemical-free option. The results can be unpredictable as most hair dyes are made for hair with a base colour.
Albino hair has no pigment, a bit like grey hair. Which means it’s hard for the dye to ‘stick’.
So it’s important to know that if you do want a permanent change, it may take multiple sessions with a professional in order for the desired results.
The good news is that albino hair is a great blank canvas for all kinds of colours.
And the best thing is, you won’t have to bleach your hair to get fabulous on-trend shades – like neon and pastels – like people with a base hair colour would have to!
If you’re relaxed about the results you’ll achieve, you can have some fun experimenting!
Pros
- You don’t need to bleach your hair before colouring
- Your hair will take dye really well
- You can experiment with vibrant colours
Cons
- Colours can be unpredictable
- Hair dye fades quickly
- Chemicals can cause allergic reactions on sensitive skin
What is albinism?
Albinism is a genetic condition where there is little or no pigment in the eyes, skin and/or hair due to absent or non-functioning tyrosinase (an enzyme responsible for pigmentation).
There are two types of Albinism – Oculocutaneous (affects the eyes, skin & hair) and Ocular (affects only the eyes).
Albinism affects 1 in 20 000 people worldwide.
Can you dye your hair with albinism?
You can dye your hair with albinism for sure.
But albino hair takes colour very quickly, and hair dye doesn’t last long, so it’s best to see a professional who can assess what’s right for you.
They may want to ‘fill’ your hair shafts and cortex with pigment before applying any colour.
If you do feel confident enough to dye your hair at home, there are plenty of off-the-shelf box dyes you can use.
However, we strongly recommend mixing a small amount of your dye with lots of (paraben and sulfate free) conditioner the dilute the strength of the dye.
Since your hair absorbs colour so easily, this should make the resulting shade more in your control.
Always do a test strand to make sure the colour you’ll get is the one your heart desires.
Best hair colours for albinos.
Bold neon shades
Pastels
Platinum blonde
Silver
Vibrant red
Electric pink
Ginger
Fantasy colours
Dark brown/black
How to dye albino hair.
Top tips
- The colour of the dye may be stronger. Because the dye is designed for hair with a base colour, you can expect the dye’s colour to be considerably bolder or brighter (woop!).
- Remember to colour your brows and eyelashes as well. Make it look natural – it’s doesn’t have to be the same colour as your hair, but they should complement it.
- Keep an eye out for allergies and skin irritations. When an albino dyes their hair, this is one of their biggest problems because their skin is extremely sensitive to chemicals.
How long will hair dye last in albino hair?
Well, we’re not going to lie – it won’t last very long.
Albino hair doesn’t hold hair dye well at all because there isn’t any pigment in the strands.
This means that it won’t take as well and will fade faster than normal.
But that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth trying!
If you want to have fun with your look and experiment with something different, then go ahead.
You can give your hair a bold colour without being too harsh or too permanent. You can change up your style as often as you like and always be on-trend.
The key to successfully dyeing your own albino strands at home is choosing a semi-permanent, ammonia-free formula.
There are some things that can be done after dyeing your hair that could extend the life of your new look, such as using a sulfate-free shampoo or conditioner and avoiding heat styling tools like hot irons and blow dryers which will cause breakage over time.
Parting words.
If you really want to dye your hair, we recommend using henna instead of chemical dyes because they are much safer for the health of your scalp and strands.
And while henna will not last as long as chemical dyes, at least you won’t damage your beautiful locks in the process.
You can find out more bout henna hair dyes and how they work in Henna hair dye | Everything you need to know. Good luck!