So, you found a grey hair.
Let’s start with the basics… You know me, I love to get down to the nitty gritty “Bill nye” moments.
Why does your hair turn gray?
Your natural hair color, from the deepest dark to the most platinum blonde, is created by pigment cells in your hair follicles. These produce melanin that makes your hair its proper designated hue (color). When these pigment cells cease to function, gray hairs appear instead. As you mature, this failure to produce melanin spreads from follicle to follicle, eventually giving you a full head of silvery strands. Greys are controlled by your genes, so there’s no controlling it… but there are a few things you can do to control the overall health of your hair, regardless of those strands I like to call “Glitter” or “Natural Platinum”.
How can I make sure my hair is at it’s healthiest?
Since hair is made of protein, a diet high in proteins will greatly strengthen your follicles. To prevent hair loss, it is important to include a healthy dose of iron in your diet as well and lower stress as much as possible. (Yeah, easier said than done, right?) It is also suggested that massaging the scalp can help the blood carry much needed nutrients to your hair follicles, so tell you husband or wife to get on it! It’s for the health of my hair, duh! Using healthy products that fill the gap of what your hair lacks can help as well. And, you know i’m going to say it… haircuts. Yes, I know, I said it. Trim. Your. Hair. Okay, so back to the grey situation…
What *NOT* to do.
Whatever you do… I’m repeating, whatever you do. Please don’t pull out your hair, okay? It’s not goof for the follicle. Think of how we all plucked our eyebrows too much in the 90’s and 2000’s… I mean, I don’t know about you, but my eyebrows still struggle to grow fully back in. Tragic, I know. Especially since big bushy fluffy brows are so in style. SO, get where I’m going with this? You can probably guess- Plucking your grey hairs is just like plucking your brows… Do it enough and it damaged the follicle so much that it will not grow back. The older we all get, the more our hair begins to thin out normally… so, lets not fight against what nature already has in store for us, am I right?
Coloring options
When your first gray hairs begin to randomly appear, there is no need to begin coloring your full head of hair and coming in for root touch ups every 5 weeks. Opting for a sprinkle of highlights or lowlights will do wonders for blending a few rebellious whites. It’s when you start to get to a higher percentage of grey that you will probably want to begin really covering. Masking the strands with a hair mascara may also do the trick. Or, you can avoid putting unwanted chemicals in your hair completely using hair extensions to add highlights and dimension. If you’re really feeling wild, and you have alot of grey, maybe even some streaks that already look like highlights… guess what that is the best canvas for? Pink, Purple, Blue… You name it. Let your inner unicorn shine!
Coverage goals
The next big decision will be choosing between permanent and semi-permanent color. Depending on your goal of coverage, your stylist should discuss this with you. A permanent color does an optimum job of covering grays, but they are much more obvious when they start to grow out -- often leaving a highly noticeable line. Semi-permanent products gradually wash out instead of leaving an obvious demarcation, but they do not cover up your white follicles as efficiently. Depending on the color line, the semis & Demis usually cover a certain percentage of grey. It’s nice to know your options.
Lastly, another other option is…Embrace it, baby! There is a whole movement of babes that are encouraging the “Silver sisters” to let that natural beauty shine! Instead of cringing at the appearance of every new white hair, embrace this change. So remember, that you are a beautiful person no matter what hair color nature is providing you with. You have every right to change it or leave it, I encourage you to not let society alter your vision for yourself and your version of beauty. I am here to support you and encourage you in whatever your personal hair journey looks like! “Natural platinum” - or not. ;)
photos & outfit : @jaydenpboutique / @painted.harmony