Does Hair Color Get Darker As You Age? [Truth Revealed]

If you look at some of your childhood photos, you might notice your hair color looking lighter than what it is today. Does hair color get darker as you age?

I’m going to let you know the answer to that question, letting you know what happens to our hair as we age, and the factors that influence what happens to our natural hair color. So, keep on reading to find out the answers…

Why Was My Hair Color Lighter As A Child?

Do you look at your childhood photos, and your hair looks considerably lighter than it foes now?

Hair can look lighter in childhood due to you having higher levels of “pheomelanin”, which is the pigment responsible for blonde and light brown shades.

During childhood, our hair color is influenced primarily by this pigment, and during puberty, hormonal changes increases the production of eumelanin, which led to darker shades like dark brown.

Plus, your genetics play a role in this change, with specific pigment genes determining how much melanin your body produces.

Environmental factors like sun exposure, can also lighten your hair temporarily, but as our melanin levels stabilized with age, the summer “blonding” effect fades.

The hair color changes usually happens between the ages of 10 and 20.

Does Hair Color Get Darker As You Age?

As you age, your melanin production decreases due to the slowing regeneration of melanocyte cells, which affects your natural hair color.

You may have had dark brown hair as a child, but your genetics play a role in how your hair color changes over time.

Instead of getting darker, your hair will likely shift to gray or white as melanin levels decline.

Plus, environmental factors, like sun exposure and product buildup, can also influence how your hair color appears.

Why Is My Hair Getting Darker As I Age Before Turning Gray?

This color change is usually because of increased eumelanin production in your hair follicles, influenced by hormonal changes throughout life stages.

During our teenage years or early adulthood, we might notice a change from lighter to darker shades as melanin levels fluctuate.

As I mentioned above, environmental factors like sun exposure and the use of hair products, can affect melanin distribution, contributing to the darkening process.

Though, as we age, the activity of melanocytes (cells responsible for producing melanin) declines, causing a gradual loss of pigment.

This change results in gray or white hair, and while our hair may darken initially, it’s part of a natural aging process that will eventually shift to lighter shades.

Can We Do Anything To Stop Hair From Darkening As We Age?

We should focus on maintaining a healthy diet, that is rich in vitamins B12 and E, as it is these nutrients which support hair health and may help prevent unwanted darkening.

When it comes to your haircare routine, using gentle hair care products can protect your hair from damage that could alter its color.

Try and minimize heat exposure from your hairstyling tools, as this will help to maintain the hair’s natural state and condition.