Malú's change of image: what is known, what is not and what a change of hair colour involves

Every time Malú changes her image, social media fills up with questions. In the press articles we cite, her changes of look are put down to her hair and styling. That is why, as well as setting this out with its source, we devote the second part to a health question: what your hair and scalp need when you go from dark brown to light blonde.

What is known about Malú's change of image?

This is what is on record, with its source:

• In September 2021, according to Hola, Malú herself posted the first pictures of her new hair colour: from dark brown to blonde with lighter tones, with long hair and soft waves.
• In March 2025, according to Hola, her change of image reflected her decision to step out of her comfort zone and her close work with stylist Antonia Payeras: bolder clothes and vibrant colours.

We have not found any statement from Malú about cosmetic treatments. Out of respect for Malú, we will not speculate either.

What makes a face look different without touching it?

Often, the change people notice in a face is not in the face itself but around it. The colour and length of the hair, a fringe, make-up, clothes, stage lighting or posture greatly alter what we see. Lighter hair softens the contrast with the skin, a different eyeliner changes the shape of the eyes and a colourful garment brightens the whole look.

That is why, as plastic surgeons, we keep making the same point: no photo can tell you what lies behind a change of image. And the NHS warns that much of what circulates on social media is paid advertising.

What does your hair need when going from dark brown to blonde, as in Malú's look?

Going from a dark shade to a light one usually means lightening the hair, and that comes at a cost to the hair fibre. The Hola articles we cite do not say how Malú's new colour was achieved, so here we are speaking in general terms. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) advises choosing a dye no more than three shades away from your natural colour. It explains that lightening by more than three shades requires higher concentrations of peroxide, which damages the hair more. Dyeing darker, it adds, is usually less harsh than lightening.

The same organisation points out another little-known detail: the sun weakens, dries out and dulls hair, especially if it is dyed or bleached, and it recommends a wide-brimmed hat when you go out. So after lightening your hair, it is worth protecting it more in summer.

If the change of shade is very marked, the sensible approach is to do it in stages and with a professional who assesses the condition of your hair before starting. That professional can tell you which shade is realistic given your starting colour and the condition of your hair, and whether to leave time between one session and the next.

How should you care for your hair after lightening it?

AAD dermatologists offer general guidelines that apply to any hair type and help lightened hair stay in better condition:

• Washing. Apply shampoo to the scalp rather than along the whole length: this removes oil and product residue without drying out the ends.
• Conditioner. Use it after every shampoo. For fine or straight hair, the ends are enough; dry or curly hair benefits from it along the whole length.
• Combing. When wet, a wide-toothed comb is better than a brush. And instead of rubbing with a towel, wrap your hair in it or in a T-shirt to absorb the water.
• Heat. Cut down on hairdryers and straighteners, choose low or medium temperatures and apply a heat protection product.

If your hair still does not improve after changing your habits, the AAD advises seeing a dermatologist, especially if there is thinning or hair loss.

How often can you touch up your colour?

The less often chemical processes are repeated, the less the hair fibre suffers. The AAD recommends spacing touch-ups further apart and, in winter, when the air is drier, waiting 8 to 10 weeks or longer. It also advises having only one chemical service at a time: if you want to straighten or perm your hair as well as dye it, that should be done first and two weeks before the colour.

To protect dyed hair from the sun, it suggests a leave-in conditioner containing zinc oxide. It is a useful question for your hairdresser: what can be done now and what is best left for a few weeks' time.

How can you avoid an allergic reaction to hair dye?

The NHS explains that many permanent dyes and some semi-permanent ones contain PPD (paraphenylenediamine), a substance that can irritate the skin or cause an allergy. Symptoms include stinging, an itchy rash, dryness, tightness or blisters, and they can take up to 72 hours to appear.

Its prevention advice is simple:

• Test the product on a strand of hair at least 48 hours beforehand, following the instructions on the packaging.
• Wear gloves and do not leave the dye on for longer than indicated.
• If there is any discomfort, wash your hair and scalp straight away with a mild shampoo.
• If you have reacted to a dye before, choose a non-permanent one.
• Avoid black henna tattoos: the NHS explains that the paste often contains a lot of PPD and that they can trigger a later reaction to hair dye.

The AAD agrees on the essentials: if redness, swelling, burning or itching appear, stop dyeing your hair and see a dermatologist for allergy testing. And the NHS says when you need urgent help: swelling of the lips, mouth or throat, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.

When is hair loss a reason to see a doctor?

A change of colour can irritate the scalp or leave hair more fragile and prone to breaking. That is not the same as hair falling out from the root, and telling the two apart is the first thing a specialist does. According to the AAD, dyed or bleached hair is more sensitive to the sun and can become weak, coarse and brittle. Hair loss with thinning patches usually has other causes, such as those the NHS lists, and calls for a medical assessment.

According to the NHS, it is worth seeing a GP if hair loss worries you or affects your wellbeing, to find out the cause. Among temporary causes it lists illness, stress, cancer treatment or a lack of iron, and among permanent ones male or female pattern baldness, which is often inherited.

Our blog has an article on hair loss due to stress, and on our hair restoration treatments page you can see how an assessment is approached when hair loss is already a problem.

How do you aim for a natural result in a change of image?

When a change of image involves aesthetic medicine, a natural look is the goal, not a side effect: you start from something specific that bothers you and aim for a result that suits your face.

The NHS advises asking yourself what is motivating the change and what result you expect, talking to a qualified professional and giving yourself time to decide. That is what a first consultation is for: for a doctor to listen to what you want and tell you what is possible, with no obligation. You can book one in our aesthetic medicine section.