How Hair Color Can Minimize Facial Redness and Is It Safe?

How Hair Color Can Help Reduce Facial Redness

Facial redness is a common skin concern for many people. An estimated 60 million adults in the United States alone experience some degree of persistent facial redness.

While there are many possible causes, from skin conditions like rosacea to environmental factors, one approach to help minimize the appearance of facial redness is through strategic hair coloring.

What Causes Facial Redness?

Facial redness has many possible underlying causes:

• Rosacea - This chronic skin condition triggers redness and flushing on the face.
• Seborrheic dermatitis - This inflammatory skin disorder can cause a red rash on the face.
• Contact dermatitis - Facial skin irritation from cosmetics, skin care products or other substances can result in redness.
• Sun exposure - UV radiation from the sun often manifests as redness on delicate facial skin.
• Cold weather - Frigid temperatures can cause broken capillaries and redness on the face.
• Alcohol consumption - Drinking alcohol expands facial blood vessels leading to a flushed complexion.
• Stress - Heightened stress levels initiate the "fight or flight" response which diverts blood to the face.
• Genetics - Some people are simply prone to ruddy complexions and chronic facial flushing.

How Hair Color Can Help

No matter what the cause, facial redness can be annoying to deal with. Thankfully, strategic hair coloring can help minimize the appearance of a red complexion. Here's how it works:

1. Distraction

Sometimes the simplest solution is the best. Drawing attention upwards and away from the face is an effective way to distract from facial redness.

Opt for hair colors with contrast. Darker shades like chocolate brown and black pull focus up. Lighter shades like platinum blonde and soft pastels also attract attention upwards.

You can also use highlights and lowlights to create visual interest in the hair, diverting attention from the face. Face-framing highlights around the eyes, cheeks and jawline are especially helpful.

2. Complementary Colors

Color theory says that opposite colors on the color wheel cancel each other out. Green and red, for example, are complementary colors.

So by wearing color complementary to red on your hair, you can help neutralize ruddy skin tones on your face.

The best hair color for this is green. Green neutralizes red. But vivid emerald hair color is not for everyone.

Natural-looking options include ash brown and ash blonde tones. These cooler shades have subtle green/blue undertones to counteract redness.

3. All-Over Color

Sometimes the most facial redness occurs around the hairline, cheeks and neck. This is common with conditions like rosacea.

Try using an all-over permanent hair color instead of highlights. This adds color right up to the roots for maximum coverage around the face.

Stick with neutral but deep shades like chocolate brown, chestnut brown and espresso brown for flattering results.

Best Hair Color Shades to Minimize Redness

Here are some of the top hair color shades to help reduce the appearance of facial redness:

Ash Brown

The ash tones in this cool brown shade help neutralize ruddy skin. Ash brown is versatile enough for any complexion.

Ash Blonde

For lighter hair, go with an ash blonde. Like ash brown, it has greenish-blue undertones that counter redness.

Chestnut Brown

Deep chestnut brown is dark enough to distract from facial redness. It's especially great for minimizing redness around the hairline.

Chocolate Brown

This rich, neutral brown draws the eye upwards. It also provides full coverage around the face.

Burgundy

The cool tones of burgundy nicely complement warmer skin tones. This deep red shade is an ideal color choice.

How to Work with Your Colorist

Consult with your hairstylist to come up with the best hair color for your complexion. Here are some tips for getting the most flattering results:

• Bring pictures of inspiration shades to your appointment.
• Explain your redness concerns and goals to your colorist.
• Ask your stylist for a personalized shade recommendation.
• Request a shade with cool, ash undertones.
• Ask for a richer, deeper hair color to maximize distraction.
• Use all-over permanent color for the best coverage.
• Consider adding lighter pieces around your face for contrast.

With the right hair color and placement, you can successfully draw attention away from facial redness. Just be sure to still protect your skin by using gentle products and applying sunscreen.

Is Coloring Hair Safe?

Hair dyes are as common as lipstick, with nearly as many shades. But some researchers say these popular beauty products have an ugly flip side: They may cause cancer.

"More than 5,000 different chemicals are used in hair dye products, some of which are reported to be carcinogenic in animals," says the American Cancer Society. Scientists are still studying whether these chemicals can cause cancer in people.

The Dye Dilemma

Researchers started looking at a possible link between hair dyes and cancer rates in the 1970s, when animal studies suggested that some chemicals used in hair dyes could cause cancer. Early human studies supported this as well, finding a higher rate of bladder cancer in hairdressers and barbers.

But more rigorous studies haven't found a clear link. Although some research has identified a heightened risk of bladder cancer in hairdressers and increased risk of Hodgkin lymphoma and multiple myeloma in hair dye users, other studies have found no such links.

"Several studies suggest that hairdressers may have an increased risk of bladder cancer. There is less clear evidence of an increased risk in women who use hair dyes at home," says the ACS.

Minimizing Any Risks

While definitive links between hair dye and cancer are lacking, people who color their hair can take some simple steps to minimize any potential risks:

• Use semi-permanent or temporary dyes instead of permanent dyes.
• Avoid dark permanent dyes, which some research links to greater cancer risk.
• Don't repeatedly dye your hair over short intervals.
• Wear gloves during the dyeing process.
• Rinse dye off skin quickly if any gets on other areas.
• Use hair dyes in well-ventilated spaces.

People can also minimize chemical exposure by turning to natural hair coloring alternatives, such as henna dyes. While not always risk-free, they provide an option for people looking to avoid traditional permanent dyes.

The Bottom Line

Based on the best available evidence, the increased cancer risk associated with personal hair dye use is likely very small, if it exists at all. But minimizing exposure to chemicals by taking reasonable precautions is always a good idea.

People who color their hair with traditional dyes just need to weigh this small potential risk against the personal and cosmetic benefits they gain. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.