Van Lake's soda water turns children's hair blonde in summer

Children living along the shores of Turkey's Van Lake are experiencing a unique summer transformation: their hair is turning blonde. The vast lake, situated at an altitude of 1,700 meters, is known for its natural beauty and its distinct soda-rich waters. As temperatures rise and schools close, local children spend much of their time swimming in the lake. Prolonged exposure to the soda-infused water, combined with sunlight, causes their hair to gradually lighten. "I love my blonde hair," said Miran Çikla, a child from Yaylıyaka neighborhood. "We swim in the lake every day. Our hair turns blonde."

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I love my blonde hair. We swim in the lake every day. Our hair turns blonde.

Furkan Çikla, also from Yaylıyaka, explained the process: "The soda in the lake turns our hair blonde. Blonde hair looks good and is prettier. Our hair turns black again in the winter." He humorously noted that teachers sometimes mistake the natural change for dyed hair, requiring an explanation. Ahmet Çikla, a fisherman from the same neighborhood, confirmed that the hair color change is a common and welcomed phenomenon. "The vast majority of children are happy about their hair turning blonde," he said. "In the summer, you can't recognize a child from the winter. Their hair turns completely black. Their hair and image completely change because they swim in the lake during the summer."

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The soda in the lake turns our hair blonde. Blonde hair looks good and is prettier. Our hair turns black again in the winter.

This change is not permanent; hair color gradually returns to its original shade over several months, especially as hair grows out or is shaved. Ercan Güven, a local businessman, observed that children who rinse their hair with fresh water after swimming do not experience the same color change. Sefa Avşar, another resident, expressed his fondness for the effect, stating, "My hair is turning blonde because I swim in Van Lake. I really like my hair turning blonde. We come with our friends during the summer holidays and swim in Van Lake."

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The vast majority of children are happy about their hair turning blonde. In the summer, you can't recognize a child from the winter. Their hair turns completely black. Their hair and image completely change because they swim in the lake during the summer.