Expert: Florence M Rollwagen - 2/26/2009

Question
Is it possible for a child born with dark brown hair (almost black) and having that
dark brown hair through the age of at least 9 months, to then change to an orangy
blonde color? The hair was pretty long (mushroom type style) at that age and there
was no sign of blonde hair anywhere. At 2 years old, the next time I saw him it
was the same type of hair style, but orangy blonde. I know children's hair color
often changes from lighter colors to darker as they get older and mature. Is the
opposite possible? I had never seen such a thing, and quite honestly believe the
hair was bleached, but the parent swears it is natural.

Answer
Hi Eileen:  Thanks for your question.  Yes, it is absolutely possible for a baby's hair color to lighten with age.  Hair color is controlled by gene expression of the pigment melanin.  This gene can change expression over the years.  It is not uncommon for a baby's hair to change color with age, and get lighter, especially if one of the parents has light hair.

Exposure to sun and sea water can also lighten hair.

Hope this helps!  Write back if you have more questions.

FM Rollwagen, PhD