There are three main ways of transitioning to gray hair from dyed hair: the cold turkey method (letting the dye grow out or cutting it out), the salon transition (having a stylist blend your dyed hair to match your natural gray), or the dye-strip technique (a combination of various methods).
Consider a Shorter Haircut: If you're open to a change, getting a shorter haircut like a pixie cut or a buzz cut can help speed up the transition process (2). This way, you can remove most of the dyed hair and allow the gray hair to grow in more quickly.
You can remove dyed hair color to go fully gray. "Removing hair color can be done at home or in a salon by using hair stripping products that work by opening the cuticles [hair's outer layer] and breaking down dye molecules inside the cortex so they can be rinsed out," she explains.
A more graduated haircut such as the 'lob' – a long bob that sits slightly beneath the jawline at the front – is a great alternative. “The subtle layers will frame the face, making it appear fuller.” Softer styling also creates a youthful effect.
The average age of onset of hair graying appears to be mid- to late forties; however, this varies with race, with the average age for Caucasians being mid-thirties, that for Asians being late thirties, and that for Africans being mid-forties.
Does short or long hair make you look younger? Long hair can enhance facial features by diverting attention away from wrinkles or age spots and adding volume to your hair. Short hair does not need to age you, though, as the style and texture of shorter hairstyles can add a youthful appearance.
If your client can't seem to keep their gray hair or roots covered for long, it may be time to discontinue using hair dye. Going to the salon every two weeks for treatment is too often, and along with all the damage it can do to their hair, it can also be expensive over time.
Gray blending is a hair coloring technique that involves blending gray hairs with your base color to help soften the contrast between shades. Typically, the process involves either highlighting your hair or adding lowlights.
Premature graying may be reversed with vitamin B12 supplementation only if vitamin B12 deficiency is the cause. If you are graying due to other factors, such as genetics, zinc deficiency, and medications, your gray hair cannot be reversed.
And your hair might feel healthier
While hair dyes and techniques have come a long way since their follicle-frying beginnings, they do still leave some damage. Taking a hiatus from color will help your hair return to its previous state--especially as dyed ends get chopped off.
How often should I dye my hair to cover grey hair? This depends on how quickly your hair grows, but often is between 4-8 weeks. If you're only just starting to grey, it may not be time to begin permanently colouring your hair.
To avoid a harsh line of demarcation, you can head to the salon and have your colorist use the root smudging technique to blend your natural gray roots with the lengths of your hair. This will allow for a gradual transition between hues as your hair continues to grow.
You can easily see how you'd look with gray hair by using the free YouCam Makeup app. The app's gray hair filter lets you upload a selfie and instantly preview yourself with silver, gray, or white hair in real-time.
According to Bellemare, purple shampoo is a great option for those with gray hair as it can help neutralize yellow tones. This brassiness can develop from environmental factors such as pollution, UV exposure, hard water, heat styling and product buildup, says Bellemare.
The best gray blending process involves a mix of highlights, lowlights, and toning, matched to each client's color pattern for a seamless, personalized gray transition.
“There are many ways that you can transition your hair [to gray],” says Whitney, “including having your hair dyed to match your roots, adding lowlights or highlights to help with the line of demarcation [i.e., the line where your pigment meets the grays], cutting your hair short or simply letting your natural hair ...
Typically, White people start going gray in their mid-30s, Asian people in their late 30s, and Black people in their mid-40s. Half of all people have a significant amount of gray hair by the time they turn 50. A White person is considered to be prematurely gray if their hair turns gray by age 20.
"To blend that line of demarcation, ask your hairstylist to paint babylights (very thin highlights) throughout your hair," suggests Martin. "This will help to blend those grays in with your colored hair, creating an allover salt and pepper effect."
When growing out colored hair, consider opting for low-maintenance hair color techniques such as balayage or ombre. These techniques involve painting highlights or color onto the surface of the hair, allowing for a more natural-looking grow-out process.
While there's no magic potion for eternal youth, hairstyles with bangs can certainly work some hair-raising wonders. Whether you opt for blunt, angled, or wispy, bangs have the power to freshen up your look and give you a youthful edge.
Exfoliant creams can improve the appearance of older skin by getting rid of dead skin cells that don't slough off as readily as they did when we were young. Several prescription creams (Avita, Avage, Renova, Retin-A) have been shown to reduce wrinkles and so-called liver spots caused by sun exposure.
Curls and Waves: More Volume, More Youthful
Curls and waves are a fantastic way to add more volume and vibrancy to your hair. They instantly create a fuller look and divert attention away from fine lines or wrinkles.