Silver, gray, white, platinum, salt-and-pepper.
However, as hair loses pigment, the fiber does experience some changes.
This means that you may need to make some adjustments to your hair care routine, no matter what.
So I tapped hair care experts, and some research, on how best to care for silvering hair.
Here, a complete guide to caring forgray hair.
The 101 on gray hair.
No matter if your grays start in your 20s or not till your 80s.
No matter if your onset of silver is triggered by stressful situations in life or good old-fashioned genetics.
No matter if your whole head turns platinum or just a bit of salt-and-pepper around the temples and hairline.
Due to genetics, age, health considerations, and external influences, these melanocytes decrease in number.
7 things we’re getting wrong right now.
A hair pro will help you evaluate your (many!)
options, teach you about your gray hair’s nuance, give you product recommendations, and more.
Because ultimately, there are several routes you could take when you start to go silver.
While changing your style isn’t necessary, it can help give your gray strands a fresher appearance.
upgrade your hair care arsenal.
When hair starts to go gray, the texture changes.
Silver strands often feel coarser, drier, and more wiry.
In addition, they can also be more porous and prone to frizz.
So this may mean a change to your standard go-to hair care products.
A few things to consider, if you haven’t already:
Address oxidative stress.
Growing research shows the very strong connection betweenoxidative stress triggered by free radicals and premature graying2.
This imbalance wreaks havoc on the body, hair included.
Oxidative stress can be triggered by inflammation-causing diets, psychological stress, and external factors (like pollution).
Look for hair care products that are loaded with antioxidant-rich botanicals, and opt forhair-enhancing vitamins.
3 extra steps to try.
Gray hair requires extra care.
Then, following up with the conditioner will hydrate and soften the strands.
The semi-permanent treatment works to enhance your natural hue, without depositing any color or by using lightening agents.
After, simply style your hair as normal, and marvel at the megawatt results.
Luckily, at-home hair color has gotten quite sophisticated over the years.
Most notably, Madison Reed makes kits that offer salon-worthy payoff using better-for-you ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions.
A total at-home color game-changer.
The beauty breakdown.
Want more tips on how to hydrate the hair?
Well,we have a guide for that.
