The color of our hair primarily depends on a pigment known as melanin. This is the same pigment that is responsible for giving our skin its color. More the amount of melanin the darker the hair and similarly, lesser the amount of melanin lighter the hair. Melanin levels however, can change over time, causing an individuals hair to change color. As you stated that your hair tends to turn brown only when washed, it could be an outcome of the shampoo that you use. Certain shampoos, particularly ones that are citrus based (contain lemon, lime or orange in them) can bring about this effect. You may want to switch to another brand of shampoo for a while and then compare results. Apart from this, hard water, at times is also known to cause this particular condition.
The easiest way to determine if water is hard or not is by checking your bathroom drains. A green or rust color around the drain is indicative of hard water. Additionally, soap and shampoo do not lather easily in this kind of water. If you do have this problem then use a clarifying shampoo to wash your hair 2-3 times a week. In the meanwhile here are a few tips that will help in restoring your hair color. Add four to five curry leaves to a bowl of coconut oil. Heat this for a few minutes. Once the oil has cooled, strain it into a container. This decoction should then be massaged into the hair for 10-15 minutes. Allow the application to stay in your hair for about half an hour and then rinse it off with a mild shampoo. This remedy has to be performed 2-3 times a week in order to obtain the desired results.
You could also use ribbed gourd to treat this condition. Dry a few pieces of this vegetable in a shaded area. The dried pieces must then be soaked in a bowl of virgin coconut oil for 4-5 hours. Later, boil the mixture till the oil turns black. Massage a teaspoon of this decoction, into the scalp, once it cools. Consume foods that have a high iodine content, such as fish, carrots and bananas. Vitamin A and iron are also good for the hair. sunflower seeds, wheat, eggs and parsley are rich in iron, while yellow fruits and dark green vegetables are great sources of vitamin A.
answered by G M