Every single day, we see the same old thing in the mirror – our black or brown hair. But sooner or later, you might be surprised to notice a few gray strands starting to show up on your hair! Instead of thinking of it badly, try thinking about it as a reminder that you are aging with grace and are getting older and wiser. Just like laugh lines, gray hair is totally normal and can even be a symbol of having a life well lived!
As much as we understand how transitioning to gray hair is part of life, we can’t help but wonder what other factors contribute to graying hair and what we can do about it? Keep reading to find out more about gray hair and what temporary solutions you can do for your gray hair!
What does Gray Hair look like?
Gray hair, also known as aging hair, would usually look dull, dry, or lifeless. It may also be all about having gray, silver, or white strands that make up about 50% of your hair. These gray strands can show up all over your hair, or most evidently on your roots!
Causes of Gray Hair
Aging
As we age, our hair follicles may slow down in or completely stop producing melanin, which gives our hair its natural color. This is one of the reasons why our hair loses its color and begins to transition from black or brown to gray, silver, or white.
Genes
If your mother or father used to have premature gray hair, then you may also have gray hair at an early age because of genetics. So, if you’re in your 20s or 30s and are already having gray strands, then it may be because of genes or other factors below.
Sun Damage
Exposing your hair to the sun for a long period of time can damage your strands, especially if you have graying hair. This in turn can cause damage to the melanin cells of your hair follicles and, ultimately, speed up the growth of your graying hair.
Stress
Just like how stress can bring problems to your skin, body, and overall health, it can also be one of the causes of your graying hair. Studies have shown the link between stress and the reduction of cells in the hair follicles, including melanin.
Diet
Having an imbalanced diet that is full of processed foods and excessively salty and sugary foods can speed up the appearance of graying hair. With this excessive intake of salt and sugar, it increases the risk of free radical generation of the body which can result in graying hair.
Harsh Ingredients in Hair Products
From shampoos and conditioners to hair color products, they can cause graying hair if they contain harmful chemicals. These are harsh to your strands and may eventually slow down the generation of your hair follicles’ melanin, resulting in graying hair.
How to Care for Gray Hair
Here are some solutions to care for, or even temporarily cover up, your graying strands:
Anti-Aging Hair Care
Gray hair can be dull and frizzy, so it’s important to rid of products that can dry out your strands. To prolong the longevity of your scalp and hair, we recommend using these products:
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The Davines Renewing Anti-Aging Therapy Set (₱ 2,900) is healthier for graying strands thanks to its paraben and sulfate free formulas. They are gentle on the scalp and hair to help maintain the wellbeing and longevity of your locks. |
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The Kérastase Chronologiste Regenerating Hair and Scalp Ritual (₱ 11,700) is an exceptional and complete ritual to give your graying hair a luxurious wash-day. It specifically treats aging and devitalised hair to strengthen your strands’ fiber and regenerates the scalp. All in all, this ritual is great for giving your gray hair a shiny and soft touch. |
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Schwarzkopf BC Bonacure Q10+ Time Restore Micellar Shampoo (₱ 1,320), Conditioner (₱ 1,320), and Treatment (₱ 1,830) – they are formulated to gently cleanse, nourish, and strengthen white mature hair. It smooths out your hair surface without overburdening your dry and graying hair. |
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If you want to add a step onto your hair care routine, then we suggest using the Kérastase Densifique Jeunesse Sérum (₱ 3,900) – it helps protect the remaining melanin of your hair and regains the youthfullness and glow of your hair.
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Cover with Hair Color
If you’ve yet to embrace your graying hair, then you can always opt to cover them with hair color. It’s an effective temporary solution to hiding gray strands! Feel free to book an appointment with HairMNL Studio so that you can get your hair colored with whatever color you’d like.
Growing Out the Grays
Of course, if you don’t feel like coloring your hair, then consider growing your gray hair out! This way you can rock your grays without worrying about touching up the hair color of your roots.
Purple Toning
Gray hair can also turn yellow if exposed to the sun for too long, so it would help to use purple-toning products to prevent any yellowing! Try using these products:
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L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Silver Anti-Brass Duo (₱ 2,280) -- this purple shampoo and conditioner has anti-yellowing agents to counteract any unwanted brassy tones. Perfect for silver or white hair, this duo will enhance your natural hair color and soften your hair. |
Aging hair is something beyond our control, but the least we can do about it is to embrace it and learn how to properly care for them. That way we can still have luscious hair but with a rocking gray color this time! Got questions? We’d love to answer them! Just send us a message and our HairMNL experts will be there to give you free consultations.
