Hair Changing Color... to Red

[aka23]

I am in my twenties and have had dark hair my whole life. During the past year, I have seen more and more strands of red hair. My doctor tells me that she is not aware of any medical condition that could cause this type of hair color change, and it is probably related to sun exposure. I think this is unlikely because I have seen red hairs on areas of my body that do not get sun exposure. There also is a genetic component since my mother's hair is the same reddish color.

Has anyone heard of this type of hair color change? Do you have any idea what might be triggering it?

[Relentless]

mutant!

:D

[Trunks]

It must be natural. My mother, my sister and me all had bright blonde hair when we were little and we now all have brown hair.
I've never heard of hair colour change at your age though.

[WillKuenzel]

Do you swim? Some times that does it.

[BUFF STUFF]

Agggggghh Shave it off or get the hair dye out!

[aka23]

Originally posted by HomeYield
Do you swim? Some times that does it.

No, I almost never swim.

[aka23]

Originally posted by BUFF STUFF
Agggggghh Shave it off or get the hair dye out!

When I get a haircut, they sometimes ask if a dye my hair because of the red strands. However, I have never dyed my hair. The only hair care product I use is a common shampoo.

[Exnor]

?

[Tryska]

maybe it's the water in your location?

[xraygirl]

Can't help ya. I was a red-head till about age 12 or so. Like Tryska said, could be the water.

[Berserker]

Originally posted by Tryska
maybe it's the water in your location?
When I lived in Indiana my toliet turned red.
I though this was some kind St. Patricks day joke.
Actually hair gets a little reddish in the sun.

[Isaac Wilkins]

My hair goes from very dark brown (almost black) to having strong reddish highlights in the summer when I'm in the sun more.

[Tryska]

the only other thing i can think of is extreme malnutrtion or severe vitamin/mineral deficiency.


i've got a theory but i need to do research, unfortunately today i don't have the time jsut yet.

[aka23]

Originally posted by Tryska
the only other thing i can think of is extreme malnutrtion or severe vitamin/mineral deficiency.

I eat a balanced diet with well over 3000 calories. I eat only natural food, so I get a large quantity of all common vitamins/minerals. Most vitamin/minerals are above 250% RDA. The two lowest are calcium at 150% RDA and zinc at 165% RDA. My zinc might be lower than it appears because of my distorted iron/zinc ratio (iron far higher than zinc), I sweat alot during my cardio (some zinc is lost in sweat), and I eat alot of fiber (phytate and fiber interfere with zinc absorbition). As far as I know, I am not displaying symptoms of any nutritional deficiency.

Hair color changes are associated with severe deficiencies in several vitamin/minerals including Biotin, Copper, B12; and to a lesser extent Iron and Zinc. It may also occur with excess Vitamin A. Severe protein/calorie deficiency can cause dark brown hair to become a rusty red. However, I eat approximately 250% of the RDA for protein, and my hair seems to be changing to the color of a reccesive gene (my mother's hair color). Overall, it is extremely unusual to see hair color changes as a result of dietary deficiencies.

[Fightin Irish]

My hair color has always been dark brown. Now my go-t is starting to turn red. Looks really weird

[Tryska]

well if you knew the answers, why'd ya ask?

and also, are you getting excess vitamin A?

[Tryska]

also careful witht he zinc, going over 100mgs a day, supplementation and dietary zinc included, can cause immunosuppression, among other things.

[Tryska]

oh and also the iron. as man you don't need that much supplementary iron.

guess what it does? when it's in excess in the body, it starts to oxidize. strange your hair is getting rusty colored.


anyways, men should actually donate blood on a regular basis to help remove excess iron from their bodies. (since y'all don't menstruate)

[Relentless]

Originally posted by Tryska
oh and also the iron. as man you don't need that much supplementary iron.

guess what it does? when it's in excess in the body, it starts to oxidize. strange your hair is getting rusty colored.


anyways, men should actually donate blood on a regular basis to help remove excess iron from their bodies. (since y'all don't menstruate)

what if we just get bitchy once a month... would that help? :D

[Tryska]

pfft. like y'all don't.

actually i think for that comment, the missus should be in charge of drawing some blood from you on a monthly basis.

[aka23]

Originally posted by Tryska
oh and also the iron. as man you don't need that much supplementary iron.

guess what it does? when it's in excess in the body, it starts to oxidize. strange your hair is getting rusty colored.


anyways, men should actually donate blood on a regular basis to help remove excess iron from their bodies. (since y'all don't menstruate)

Most of my nutrition comes from foods. I only take a multivatimin supplement about 2x per week that provides 100% of RDAs. I made sure to choose one specially designed for men, without iron added. However, some of the iron does come from supplements in my cereal. I am aware of the problems associated with high iron intakes in men and post-menapausal women. It bothers me that so many cereal manufactures add large quanities of iron.

[Tryska]

you'd think they would know better right?

it's difficult as woman finding one without iron added.

[aka23]

Originally posted by Tryska
well if you knew the answers, why'd ya ask?

I asked because while I am familiar with Vitamin/Mineral deficiencies, I still do not understand why I am getting more and more red strands. My doctor also does not understand the change.


also careful witht he zinc, going over 100mgs a day, supplementation and dietary zinc included, can cause immunosuppression, among other things.

My zinc intake is about 25mg per day. More than 80% of that total is from foods. My only zinc supplement is from the multivitamin mentioned earlier. (My cereal does not have added zinc)


and also, are you getting excess vitamin A?

I am getting a good amount of Vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene (Vitamin A found in yellow/orange fruits and vegs). This type of Vitamin A is no where near as toxic as the Vitamin A from animal sources and supplements. I am not getting excess Vitamin A in the animal/supplement form.

[Tryska]

okay..jsut making sure. you kinda scared me with that 250% RDA stuff. if it's from food, it's not a bad thing, but if it was in the form of supplementation that would be scary.


maybe since you've got this supernutrition going on, your hair is just getting more vibrant. how old are you?

[aka23]

Originally posted by Tryska
okay..jsut making sure. you kinda scared me with that 250% RDA stuff. if it's from food, it's not a bad thing, but if it was in the form of supplementation that would be scary.

I usually exceed the RDAs by a large margin because I eat a lot of calories; those calories are from nutrient rich foods, not empty calories; and the RDAs are based on amounts that prevent deficiency (with a generous safety factor).


how old are you?

I am 26.

[aka23]

Originally posted by Tryska
you'd think they would know better right?

it's difficult as woman finding one without iron added.

I think that consumer knowledge contributes to the problem as well. I suspect that both men and women are more likely to purchase a cereal if they see that it provides 100% of the daily supply of iron. If the cereal manufacturers took out the iron, then they would probably sell less products.

[maverick]

The issue is with your genetics. There's nothing wrong. Its natural. I've had the same thing.

[ericg]

I think T hit it with the iron. There maybe a ton of iron in your public/well water. Call your water purveyor and ask them if they filter for iron deposits. Also ask them to send you a copy of their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) - this is assuming that you are served through a public water supply. CCRs are mandatory throughout the US and should answer some questions on what they treat for. I know if they have high levels of iron this could be the cause to your problem. If you have a private well supply I would get it tested from a local lab and have them check it out for iron.