Regarding using baking soda for gray hair, experts endorse its potential benefits such as controlling pigmentation loss, lightening the strands, and providing texture. It can be used on coarse grey locks to make them smoother too by eliminating product buildup from oils or soaps.
No impact on gray hair: There is no scientific evidence to suggest that baking soda can prevent or reverse gray hair. The color of our hair is determined by the presence of melanin, a pigment inside the hair fiber.
To get silver, you need to decolorize your ends with bleach. You want to get your hair to a pale yellow/white color. If the hair is orangey or too dark yellow, the silver color will not take. Take care not to let the bleach sit for too long. You don't want your hair to resemble wet cotton.
Apple cider vinegar not only lightens hair color to diminish brassy tones but also acts as a natural cleanser, removing product buildup and hard water residues. You can make an apple cider vinegar hair rinse for gray hair at home. Mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with one cup of water.
Henna was the first thought that came to mind – although natural henna has a bold reddish-brown color and can give really vibrant results, especially on lighter (ahem, gray) hair! There are ways to darken henna's effect – by mixing it with coffee or other additives.
It has long been thought that reversal of gray hair on a large scale is rare. However, a recent study reported that individual gray hair darkening is a common phenomenon, suggesting the possibility of large-scale reversal of gray hair.
Root sprays and root powders offer a quick and temporary way to cover up gray hairs: simply choose a shade that matches your natural color and apply to the roots.
Hydrogen peroxide is a natural oxidant; we produce an enzyme called catalase that breaks down hydrogen peroxide turning it into water and oxygen. As catalase function decreases, the levels of hydrogen peroxide increase. High levels of hydrogen peroxide block the production of pigment, leading to gray hair.
Applying white powder to your hair is a great way to achieve temporary gray hair or a salt-and-pepper look. Purchase loose white face powder, baby powder, talcum powder, cornstarch, or any other white powder that is safe to use around your hair and face.
Without pigment, new hair strands grow in lighter and take on various shades of gray, silver, and eventually white. Once a follicle stops making melanin, it won't make colored strands again.
Lemon juice is a popular natural lightener. It can help hide gray hair, especially in blonde hair. The citric acid in lemon juice works with sunlight to lighten hair color slowly. It may not remove gray hair completely, but it can help mix them well with the rest of your hair.
Baking soda and vinegar
Allow it to sit for a few minutes on your hair to get the best results. The acid requires enough time to oxidize and fade your hair color. Baking soda and apple cider vinegar are two great cleansing agents that effectively fade hair dyes.
Mixing vinegar and baking soda causes an immediate chemical reaction. This reaction forms water, sodium acetate (a salt) and carbon dioxide – the fizzy part. The amount of carbon dioxide gas that is produced from baking soda is remarkable – one tablespoon (around 18 grams) can release over five litres of gas!
When it comes to taking care of gray hair, baking soda can be a great option due to its ability to remove buildup, neutralize yellow tones, and enhance the growth of your locks.
It works as a clarifying agent to refresh your hair, imparts plenty of shine, and it also helps facilitate hair growth. That's all thanks to the pH of apple cider vinegar, which is about 3—meaning it's on the acidic side of the spectrum.
"Poor diets that are low in iron, vitamin D and the complex of B vitamins can play a role in the process of hair turning grey," Eva tells us.
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.
To address pigment loss in gray hair, Kaeding said, you can use a color depositing shampoo or conditioner for temporary results. Or, for a longer-lasting solution, you can opt for permanent hair color or highlights.
If you are looking for a low-impact, natural effect then lowlights are a safer way to color grey hair. Your stylist uses foils to apply the color so it doesn't lie directly on your scalp. That means less exposure to chemicals and fewer potential allergic reactions.