Is this a sign of damage?

[swannie]

Under bright light, parts of my hair appear brownish-red. What does this mean? I have relaxed hair.

 

[sky_blu]

Mine is like that too and I have a healthy head of hair for the most part lol. Its from the chemicals in the relaxer reacting to the rays from the sun. Not sure if its a sign of damage but I know sun rays on any other part of your body is suppose to be harmful without UV (??) lotion.

 

[MeccaMedinah]

When I used to relax my hair it was brownish red too. Now that I am natural my hair is a healthy dark brown.

 

[Porsche19]

I don't think that it's a sign of damage at all.

Most black hair isn't truly BLACK... it's a very dark brown. Lots of times that brown has red undertones.

Sometimes the sun lightens the hair a bit... I also think that relaxers can lighten the hair, but it's not a sign of unhealthy hair or anything out of the norm. No one's hair is one uniform color, they could be natural highlights. A friend of mine said that I have like 3 different colors of hair in my head and I don't color my hair.

 

[brittanynic16]

I had that when I was relaxed too. I even have a picture in my album. I always thought it was a sign of damage. Now that I am natural I have black hair. I thought it was from the chemicals breaking down my strands.

 

[BabyCurls]

Mine is like that too and I have a healthy head of hair for the most part lol. Its from the chemicals in the relaxer reacting to the rays from the sun. Not sure if its a sign of damage but I know sun rays on any other part of your body is suppose to be harmful without UV (??) lotion.

ITA, sky_blu. Whenever your hair is chemically processed, i.e. relaxed or colored, the chemical composition can react and make your hair turn to a reddish brown. Mine is like that whether my hair is processed or not. The indication that you described isn't damaging to the hair. Other factors may be overprocessing or usage of heat appliances.

My advice to you is if you go out in the sun, your best protection will be wearing a silk or satin scarf and wearing a wide-brimmed hat to cover your head. Also, find hair products that filter out the sun's UV rays. Glad to help you out.

BC

 

[Porsche19]

How do the chemicals from the relaxer react with the sun IF THEY ARE WASHED OUT? The only way that the sun could react with the relaxer is if you go into the sun with relaxer in your hair.

And I KNOW that no one on lhcf would do such a thing

It sounds more likely that the suns rays are more powerful on hair that has been weakened. OR it when the relaxer is breaking down protein inside of the hair shaft it also breaks down some of the color (the pigments are inside of the hairshaft too)

Well, that makes more sense to me anyways.

 

[Jewell]

Some people have said that relaxing can give the hair a brownish-red color, but my natural hair color is light brown anyway, so I'm not particularly sure about that one.

 

[sugaplum]

You know what this very same thing is going on with my hair. It's like a yucky brown color. I was told that it was due to relaxing over the years. I also noticed that when I cellophane my hair, the colour stays!!

 

[lkg4healthyhair]

My hair has gotten lighter over the years also, but I like it

Its a light to med brown and I don't have to die it to get it this way, but I too figured it was due to chemical use and sun exposure

ETA: NTM leave-in (I use as a moist has UV protection)

 

[baglady215]

My guess is that when you get a chemical service such as a relaxer, the chemical lifts the cuticle and breaks the bonds in the cortex. The cortex is also where the color of you hair is "stored". With relaxed hair, our cuticles are not as tightly closed as natural hair. It could be the relaxer chemical itself altering the color, or it could be outside elements like the sun, etc. that can reach the cortex and change the color because the cuticle isn't tightly sealed.

 

[scoobygirl]

I have the same problem too. My hair was never jet black to begin with, but over the years it has lightened to this brownish color with copper highlights. Most people assume I color my hair, I just assumed it meant it was damaged according to the books I've read. I've asked several people including my old and new stylist. They think it is the combination of the relaxer, the sun (I live in FL), and the pigmentation in my skin and hair. Most of my hair products have UV protection in them and it has helped some. I cut off the ends that were very light, because they did feel damaged to me. I also make sure the my relaxed hair is protected when I go to get a touch-up. I'm thinking about getting a black colourshine in the fall, but I don't know how long they last for.

 

[Ms Red]

ok baglady215, you totally dropped knowledge just now. ITA w/you and brownie b/c while I was natural (20 yrs). my hair was almost jet black (see my profile for a mini-pic). but when i started relaxing, over time, my hair has become neutral to dark brown, which i hate.

i knew it had something to do with the chemicals in the perms because for 20 yrs. my hair never had any shade of brown in it (even with exposure to strong sunlight-- i'm from texas). now that i'm transitioning my NG is black and shiny, of course.

ETA: I am using NTM leave in with SPF, just like lkg4lhealthyhair mentioned and it has helped a bit.

 

[baglady215]

LOL... it wasn't off the top of my head. I had to do some research!

 

[candita]

I have the same problem too. My hair was never jet black to begin with, but over the years it has lightened to this brownish color with copper highlights. Most people assume I color my hair, I just assumed it meant it was damaged according to the books I've read. I've asked several people including my old and new stylist. They think it is the combination of the relaxer, the sun (I live in FL), and the pigmentation in my skin and hair. Most of my hair products have UV protection in them and it has helped some. I cut off the ends that were very light, because they did feel damaged to me. I also make sure the my relaxed hair is protected when I go to get a touch-up. I'm thinking about getting a black colourshine in the fall, but I don't know how long they last for.

my hair is naturally dark brown, but with relaxing over the years + the California sun my hair is multi-tonal: ranging from dark brown at the roots and the under layers to a more caramel brownish color with the ends borderline blonde. Usually blonde ends need to get cut off b/c of damage.

 

[Diane71]

I agree with everyone that the lightened hair or reddish/brown hair is nothing to get upset over. My hair turns a real light brown/red during the hot summer months when I'm out in the sun for a prolonged period of time. And my hair is not breaking or coming out. Its like getting a tan but on your hair.

 

[ravensunshine]

Well, this is something that has been difficult to obtain info about. I stopped relaxing about ten yrs ago, but about four yrs ago I began doing a curly thiobased cold wave perm (to define the natural curl pattern better). It began drying out my hair so I have stopped. Now I have red ends. Everyone swears I color my hair. The same thing happened when I used to relax yrs earlier. Now I use that bodiphier product to lossenthe curl. I know some of you have heard me raving on and on about it, but it doesn't change the color of my hair. Eventually I will have a head of dark hair again as I cut off the dry red ends. I sometimes use black/dark brown henna to condition and color.

 

[Enchantmt]

.

I think I read a post somewhere one time that said something about the neutralizer containing something like peroxide, or something that causes the hair to lighten.

I've read this too. Since going natural my hair is darker.