Maintaining Grey Hair: A Comprehensive Guide
Whether we like it or not, most of us will end up going grey.
As we age, our bodies change, sometimes in surprising or unexpected ways. One day we might have a head of thick, dark hair, and what feels like a day later, wake up with more than a few ungainly strands of grey.
Fortunately, with the right approach and even products, we can ensure our grey locks or those of our hairstyling clients remain stunning and manageable.
In the following guide, we’ll explore effective strategies for maintaining grey hair, from daily care routines to special treatments and hairstyling tips.
What Causes Grey Hair?
Grey hair, as we alluded to above, is a natural part of the aging process. The direct cause is due to a decrease in melanin, the pigment responsible for our hair’s color. As we age, the pigment-producing cells in our hair follicles gradually die off, leading to a reduction in color and the eventual appearance of grey or white hair.
While aging is the primary cause for grey hair in most people, it’s important to note that genetics also play a significant role. Notably, if your parents or grandparents went grey early, you have a higher chance to experience the same.
How is Grey Hair Different from Other Hair?
One of the lessons we aim to impart for our hairstyling students here at Modern College is that while grey hair is still fundamentally the same hair a person has had all their life, it has nevertheless likely undergone several changes, particularly with its texture:
- Coarseness: Grey hair has a tendency to become coarser and less manageable. Because melanin affects the hair’s structure, a lack of this pigment causes the texture itself to change.
- Dryness: Grey hair also tends to be drier and more brittle than your younger, pigmented hair. This is partly because the sebaceous glands, which produce natural oils, slow down as we age, leaving grey hair more prone to dryness as we get older.
While both of these changes can lead to more morning nuisances with our hair, there’s plenty we can do to minimize the effect these changes have on us.
A Daily Grey Hair Care Routine
Below are a couple of the key aspects of your hair care routine you’ll want to pay attention to after you or your client’s hair has gone grey.
Cleansing
Maintaining the health of grey hair starts with proper cleansing. Because of its texture changes, grey hair is often more delicate and prone to dryness. It’s important, therefore, to use a shampoo that is both gentle and nourishing. For instance, you could opt for sulfate-free shampoos, as sulfates sometimes strip away natural oils, leading to further dryness which can really add up.
There are also special shampoos specifically designed for grey or silver hair. These products typically have ingredients that help enhance shine and eliminate brassy tones that might arise..
Conditioning
Conditioning is also crucial for keeping grey hair hydrated and manageable. You’ll want to make sure that you stock up on good, moisturizing conditioners to help your hair feeling smooth and invigorated.
It’s often recommended to use a deep conditioning treatment at least once a week to provide much needed extra moisture and nourishment. You might also want to consider conditioners with ingredients such as shea butter, argan oil, or keratin.
Avoiding Heat Damage
Because of its changed structure, grey hair is much more prone to being damaged if we are not careful – especially from sources of heat.
Be careful around styling tools that use heat, like blow dryers, flat irons, and curling wands. While avoiding them altogether isn’t exactly possible, you might want to opt for a lower heat setting than you used in the past.
Special Treatments for Grey Hair
If you’ve followed a strict daily hair care routine pretty much your whole adult life, you shouldn’t have any problem adopting new elements as your hair goes grey. Even if you were one to tend to let things more or less go your own way, most of the differences with grey hair come down to simply being more cautious and putting more time into the basics.
Below are a few special treatment suggestions as well as products to help combat dryness in order to keep grey hair looking healthy and vibrant.
- Purple Shampoos and Conditioners: These products are specially formulated to combat the yellowing that sometimes occurs with grey hair, with the purple pigments helping your hair look cool and vibrant. As a rule of thumb, it’s generally recommended that you use purple shampoo or conditioner once or maybe once a week.
- Moisturizing Treatments: Grey hair often requires additional moisture to stay healthy and vibrant. Products like leave-in conditioners are great and can be used daily to provide ongoing hydration and protection. Simply apply it to your hair when it’s still damp after the shower. A weekly or bi-weekly hair mask can provide a deeper level of hydration, particularly one with ingredients like coconut oil, honey, or avocado.
- Hair Oils: If you suffer from particularly dry hair, natural hair oils can help provide essential nutrients and moisture that you might be missing. Oils like argan, coconut, and jojoba help to restore moisture, add shine, and reduce frizz. They also create a protective barrier that can help prevent further damage.
Styling Tips
One thing that people often forget about embracing grey hair is that it’s not just about letting go of your natural color but about celebrating and maintaining its unique beauty.
- Styles that Often Complement Grey Hair: While much of it comes down to personal taste, cuts that add movement and texture, such as layered cuts or soft waves, often help grey hair seem more dynamic and polished. Alternatively, iIf you have fine grey hair, consider a cut that adds volume, such as a shaggy bob or a layered cut. For thicker hair, a sleek, well-defined cut can help manage bulk and enhance shine.
- Good Products for Maintaining Shine and Manageability: The best products for grey hair are lightweight serums and styling creams that add shine without weighing hair down. You’ll want to avoid heavy, greasy products that can make grey hair look dull and definitely steer clear of products with silicones and sulfates, as these can build up on the hair and reduce its natural shine. As a general rule, opt for products labeled as “non-dulling” or “for silver/grey hair” to ensure your hair stays vibrant.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re the one going grey or one of your clients, maintaining grey hair involves a blend of the right care techniques, products, and styling practices to keep your silver strands looking their best. Embracing natural grey hair means understanding its unique characteristics and adapting your hair care routine to address its specific needs.
Are you looking for more advanced techniques for maintaining and bringing out the best in grey hair? Our hairstyling program provides you with everything you need to succeed as a stylist – whether you opt to work in a salon, run your own business, or just want to give tutorials.
For more information, be sure to fill in the form on the right side of this page or reach out via [email protected]