According to hair biology experts and styling experts alike, grey hair is more resistant to color than younger hair because of its texture. The relative lack of natural oils in the hair compared to younger hair make it a rougher surface that tends to reject the color being applied, especially around the roots.
Gray hair has its own personality - and it's usually uncooperative. Its texture can be coarse, stubborn, and unruly, making it resistant to color. Our professional Color Crew team members have assembled 7 Pro Tips for coloring gray hair to help you return your hair color to its pre-gray glory.
More often than not a colour which won't hold is the result of a lack of treatment. However, in the case of home colouring, the problem can often be due to the colouring process. Either the application isn't even, the waiting time is too short or you aren't using the right product for the desired effect.
AVOID: WASHED OUT TONES
You want to avoid shades that are too similar to your natural coloring; beiges, creams, off-whites, stone grays, taupes, etc. These colors will only wash you out and emphasize your gray tones.
Avoid conditioners or hair products with mineral oil.
Mineral oil coats your hair, weighing it down and making it more difficult for moisture to penetrate your gray hair. Mineral oil is important to avoid, but there are other ingredients you should avoid in hair products.
The best color to blend with gray hair is going to largely depend on your base color. With that said, light base colors like platinum, ash blonde and light brown mix best with gray hair. Because gray hair is similar in tone to these hues, it makes them look almost undetectable when they're blended.
Pigment loss occurs naturally in hair as we age. Along with the changes in pigmentation, grey hairs can also undergo structural changes Grey hair is often also coarser. The outer cuticle layer of greys can be more tightly packed and layered, making them resistant to colour absorption.
The Challenge. Gray hair poses some unique challenges. It's coarser than your natural hair, and gray hair follicles make less oil, making it drier as well. This makes it harder for color to penetrate, so you may have to leave it on longer, which can cause more damage.
let your color develop longer
Try increasing the development time. For resistant gray hair, leave the product on for 45 minutes. This will allow the color to better absorb into the hair strand.
1. Blonde Highlights. There are three reasons we recommend blonde highlights Opens in a new tab when covering grays. First up, the difference between blonde and silver shades is subtle, so gray roots won't appear as visible - even if it's been six to eight weeks since you last went to the salon.
Determine the hair texture and if coarse, soften this resistant area prior to coloring by applying a 20 volume developer around the hairline and applying color to this area first. If the hairline is porous, try to either apply to this area last or use a lighter level or developer.
If you're dealing with a lot of gray hair, you should touch up every four to six weeks. If that sounds expensive—and time-consuming—that's where at-home coloring is key. With it, you can keep the hair color you know and love—without spending a ton.
Your roots are lighter than your ends
Like the orangey issue discussed above, your virgin hair at the scalp reacts differently to dye than previously colored strands. This is because the strands you've dyed before are more porous than fresh hair and quicker to absorb color molecules.
Over time, and with repeated colouring sessions, these changes in the structure of your hair will leave it weaker and more prone to breakage. The more hair is dye damaged, the less the colour holds. That's why it's so important to prioritise repair if you colour your hair.
Harsh chemicals like bleach or relaxers can break down the bonds of the hair, making it weaker and thus more prone to breakage.
natural red-heads have notoriously difficult hair to colour. As most red-heads know, if you try to go darker, the colour doesn't stick to the hair like it would on a blonde or brunette. If you try to go lighter, you are battling constantly with that natural red reflect.
If you add the right hair colour, your 'grey' hair will act as highlights, giving you a completely new look that will get you noticed for all the right reasons. Professional colourists usually recommend a darker shade for your roots and a lighter shade that matches your natural hair for the rest.
Follow your natural color
Having different shades of gray and silver added to your hair through highlights can bring out the beauty of the color. Alternatively, you can add cool blond highlights to complement your gray hair.
Many people's locks can benefit from purple shampoo. One demographic who may want to give a purple shampoo a whirl is those with graying, gray, or white hair. Purple shampoo can banish brassiness far away from your silver strands, leaving you with hair that is lustrous and bright.
Baking soda is a great natural remedy for gray hair, as it helps to clarify the hair and scalp while also restoring vibrancy and shine, especially if you're struggling with hair loss. Plus, baking soda can prevent discoloration due to exposure to sunlight, extreme dryness, or other factors.
1) Moisture:
Shampooing your hair 1-3 times per week should be perfect. Make sure you are using very moisturizing conditioner, and perhaps include a weekly hair mask in your regimen.