It’s a question that has puzzled people for years: does black hair exist?
The answer is not so clear-cut. So the question still begs further examination.
What does it mean for hair to be natural? And what about all of the different shades of black? Are they all natural too? This is a complex question with no easy answers.
But it’s an important one to ask to clarify if black hair is just dark brown or not.
So let’s take a closer look at this topic and see if we can’t gain a better understanding of it.
What does natural hair color depend on?
The natural hair color of a person depends on their genes. The particular genes that are responsible for hair color are passed down from each person’s parents.
The exact mix of genes that a person has will determine what their natural hair color is. In general, people with dark hair tend to have more eumelanin, while those with lighter hair have more pheomelanin.
Eumelanin is a type of melanin that gives black or brown color to the hair, while pheomelanin is responsible for red or blond hues. A person’s hair color can also be affected by environmental factors, such as exposure to sunlight.
Hair color is determined by the amount of a pigment called melanin in the hair. Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes in the hair follicle. The more melanocytes a person has, the darker their hair color will be.
Hair color is not static. It can change over time, especially as a person ages. Gray hair is a common sign of aging and is caused by a decrease in the production of melanin.
Sometimes, gray hair may also be caused by an increase in the amount of hydrogen peroxide in the hair. This can happen due to certain medical conditions or the use of certain medications.
Can you have black hair naturally?
You can’t have black hair naturally because black is not a natural hair color. However, you can have very dark brown hair which may look black to some people. So, black hair does not exist. The natural color of our hair strands is a product of two main types of melanin: eumelanin and pheomelanin.
Eumelanin gives off brown or black pigments, while pheomelanin gives off lighter tones.
The more eumelanin that’s present in someone’s hair, the darker it will appear. Some people have so much melanin in their hair that it may look black but what seems like black hair is really dark brown hair.
Is black hair just dark brown? Yes, black hair is just dark brown. Brown is the natural color of hair and black is not.
What are the undertones of black hair? The undertones of black hair are brown or reddish.
This is because, no matter how dark someone’s hair looks, these reddish or brown pigments are always present. If you look at black hair in the sunlight, you’ll notice brown or reddish undertones shining through.
How do I know if I have black hair? If you have black hair, it will be very dark brown and it will not lighten to blonde when bleached.
When you bleach black hair, it will go from black to some shade of orange, red, or gold. This is evidence that there are various pigments that makeup supposedly black hair.
The effect of light on color perception
If black hair doesn’t exist, why does my hair come in this shade? That is because hair color can be affected by the light that shines on it.
The color that is seen by the human eye is determined by the light that is reflected off of the hair.
Hair can be different colors depending on the light that is shining on it. For example, if someone has dark hair, and they are in a dark room, their hair will appear to be black.
Different colors can be seen in different types of lighting because each type of light wave is a different color. The human eye perceives different colors when it sees different colors of light waves.
Hair color can also be affected by the pigments that are in the hair. The pigments in the hair absorb some of the light that shines on the hair, and this affects the color that is seen by the human eye.
The amount of pigment in the hair determines how much light is absorbed, and this affects the color that is seen.
For example, if someone has dark hair, and they have a lot of pigment in their hair, their hair will absorb more light, and their hair will appear to be darker.
If someone has light hair, and they have less pigment in their hair, their hair will absorb less light, and their hair will appear to be lighter.
All of these factors affect the color of hair, and the human eye perceives different colors when different factors are present.
The color of hair is affected by the light that shines on it, the pigments in the hair, the environment, the clothing that someone is wearing, the way that it is styled, and the products that are used on it.
All of these factors work together to create the illusion of black hair color.
What should you do if you want to have black hair?
If you’re looking to go dark, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, your natural hair color and skin tone will play a role in the final color outcome.
On top of that, black hair dye can be harsh on your locks, so it’s important to use a good conditioner after coloring.
Finally, make sure to avoid excessive heat styling – this can further damage your hair and make it difficult for the dye to take hold.
If you’re interested in trying black hair color, we will describe how to make it at home.
There are a few things you can do if you want to have black hair. You can dye your hair black, or you can use a dark brown hair color to get closer to black hair.
Black hair dye can be applied in a number of ways, depending on the look you’re trying to achieve. To dye hair with black hair dye, mix the dye with the developer in a 1:1 ratio.
Apply the dye to dry hair and leave it in for 30 minutes. Rinse the hair thoroughly with warm water. Repeat the process if necessary. You can also use a product called “black henna” to make your hair black.
However, it’s important to note that “black henna” is not actually henna, and it can be harmful to your hair.
Be sure to read the ingredients before using any kind of hair coloring product. If you’re not sure what to do, it’s always best to consult a professional.
To dye hair with black henna, mix 1/2 cup of black henna powder with enough water to make a thick paste. Apply the paste to dry or freshly shampooed hair, making sure to cover every strand.
Leave the henna in for 2-4 hours, then rinse with warm water. shampoo and condition as usual. For best results, repeat the process once a week.
If you’re looking for a more permanent hair color, try adding some coffee to the henna paste. Mix 1/2 cup of black henna powder with 1/4 cup of coffee grounds and enough water to make a thick paste.
Apply the paste to dry or freshly shampooed hair, making sure to cover every strand. Leave the henna in for 2-4 hours, then rinse with warm water. shampoo and condition as usual.
For best results, repeat the process once a week.
FAQ
Can you be born with black hair?
To summarize, naturally black hair does not exist. The only way to achieve truly black hair is to color it oneself or have it done by a professional colorist.
Is black hair rare?
Estimates say anywhere from 75% to 85% of the world’s population has very dark brown hair. This may come as a surprise to anyone living in the U.S., where only around 7.5% of women have dark brown hair.
Is black a genetic hair color?
Most people have two functioning copies of the MC1R gene, one inherited from each parent. These individuals have brown hair, because of the high amount of melanin. It is estimated that more than 90 percent of people in the world have brown hair.
Summary
Black hair is not a natural hair color, but is instead the result of a mix of genes from each person’s parents. The natural color of hair depends on the amount of melanin in the hair, with darker hair containing more melanin than lighter hair.
While black is not a natural hair color, dark brown hair can often look black to some people. Brown is the natural color of hair and black is not.
The undertones of black hair are usually brown or reddish, depending on how much melanin is present in the strands. If you have black hair, it will be very dark brown and it will not lighten to blonde when bleached.
Also read:
- Does Semi Permanent Color Wash Out
- How Long to Leave Wella T18 Toner On
- Does Black Hair Dye Fade
- Can I Dye My Hair After Bleaching
- Dimensional Hair Color
Allyson Carter
Ally is a professional hairstylist with more than 6 years of experience, but hair has been her passion since early childhood. Here, at Hair Spies, she blogs about all things hairdressing, hair tools, and everyday hair care. Read more about Allyson here.
