Achromotrichia: redheads and their ageing red hair

The youthfulness that comes with being a natural redhead is undeniable. Not only are you fresh-faced from your year-round SPF use, but your ability to hold onto your red hair shade for longer is another huge perk.

Instead of going grey like most people, redheads generally experience something a little different: achromotrichia.

Yes, it has a name. Put simply, ‘achromotrichia’ is defined as the gradual loss of pigmentation in the hair. As redheads age, the red hair follicles produce less colour, causing our natural shade to slowly fade over time.

DO REDHEADS GO GREY?

One of the most common questions we hear is: do redheads actually go grey?

The answer is usually not in the way most people expect.

While brunettes and blondes often develop a mixture of coloured and grey hairs, many redheads bypass the classic grey stage altogether. Instead, their hair gradually loses its red pigment, fading through a beautiful spectrum of softer shades before eventually becoming white.

That's why many natural redheads seem to hold onto their colour for longer than friends and family with other hair colours.

WHY DOES RED HAIR AGE DIFFERENTLY?

Red hair gets its colour from a pigment called pheomelanin.

As we age, the cells responsible for producing pigment become less active. In most people, this leads to greying. In redheads, however, the process often looks quite different.

When red hair follicles stop producing their warm ginger pigment, the colour begins to melt away from red through a glorious spectrum of faded copper and rosy-blonde tones before eventually becoming silvery-white.

It's a sight to behold, creating an almost autumnal effect as red hair moves into its own unique silver-fox phase.

WHY DO SOME REDHEADS TURN BLONDE?

Many redheads notice their hair becoming lighter before they notice any white hairs.

This is completely normal. As the stronger red pigments begin to fade, softer golden, strawberry blonde and honey tones often become more visible. Some lifelong redheads even find themselves being described as blonde despite having identified as ginger their entire lives.

Sun exposure can make this effect even more noticeable, especially during summer months when UV is stronger.

CAN REDHEADS GO BROWN AS THEY AGE?

Not all red hair follows exactly the same path.

Some natural redheads experience what's often called "browning out", where bright childhood ginger hair gradually deepens into auburn or reddish-brown during adolescence or adulthood.

This is different from achromotrichia, which refers to the loss of pigment rather than a shift towards darker tones.

In fact, some redheads experience both: becoming darker in early adulthood before gradually becoming lighter again later in life.

AT WHAT AGE DO REDHEADS LOSE THEIR COLOUR?

There's no set age when this happens. Some redheads notice subtle changes in their thirties, while others maintain vibrant copper tones well into their fifties and beyond.

Often, the first thing people notice isn't a white hair at all. Instead, the hair may simply look a little less vibrant than it once did, with reduced shine and softer red tones.

Genetics plays the biggest role, although environmental factors such as sun exposure can also influence how red hair looks over time.

SHOULD I EMBRACE MY FADING RED HAIR?

You can either embrace the achromotrichia or choose to maintain the appearance of richer, brighter red tones for longer. Either is beautiful.

Many redheads love the transition from copper to strawberry blonde and eventually silver-white. Others prefer to enhance the warmth and vibrancy of their existing colour to preserve it longer. They support their natural tones with colour-enhancing care routines designed specifically for red hair.

HOW CAN I KEEP MY RED HAIR LOOKING VIBRANT?

While achromotrichia itself is a natural part of ageing, many redheads find they can keep their hair looking brighter and more vibrant for longer by focusing on colour enhancement and hair health. 

Many members of the Gingerful community use our henna-infused haircare range designed specifically for red and copper tones. They work with your starting shade to help enhance the vibrancy of existing reddish highlights and lowlights within the hair, helping your natural colour look its best.

Shop Gingerful colour-enhancing hair products for redheads

For those who prefer colouring their hair, a skilled stylist can colour-match your natural shade. However, this can be a high-maintenance and costly option due to regrowth and the fact that dyed red shades tend to fade faster than many other colours.

REAL REDHEAD RESULTS

Before

After

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What does 'achromotrichia' mean?

Achromotrichia is the loss of pigment from the hair. As pigment production decreases, hair gradually loses its colour and may eventually fade all the way out to white.

Do redheads go white instead of grey?

Many do. Rather than developing a traditional grey appearance, redheads often fade through lighter copper, strawberry blonde and pale blonde shades before eventually becoming white.

Why does red hair turn blonde?

As red pigments gradually decrease, lighter golden and strawberry tones become more visible, making the hair appear blonde.

Can achromotrichia be prevented?

No. Achromotrichia is a natural part of ageing and is largely determined by genetics.

Will I still be a redhead if my hair turns white?

Whether your hair is deep copper, strawberry blonde, auburn or silvery white, you'll always be a redhead at heart.

How to stop all natural red hair shades from fading

Why red hair fades fast in summer – and what you can do about it

Henna: the goddess of red hair colouring