Why do my grey roots show so quickly?

Author: Prof. Rosamond Larson  |  Last update: Tuesday, July 8, 2025

The speed of greying is in our genetics, they tell us. It's just a case of contrast, says Josh Wood. "The lighter you are, the more the grey blends in," Josh explains. "But when you've got a darker head of hair with a streak of grey in it, it looks very black and white, like piano keys," says Josh.

Why do my grey roots show so fast?

It could be that your hair is resistant to tint, especially when the hair texture has changed as a result of going white. But also it could be that by going lighter, either all over, or by introducing (subtle) highlights you would not see the regrowth strip quite as quickly as if it were lighter.

How do I stop my grey roots from showing?

A temporary root concealer spray is the quickest way to help cover gray roots. Try the L'Oréal Paris Magic Root Cover Up, which is available in eight shades.

Why do my roots come through so quickly?

It may not feel like it, but your scalp is always a bit warm, so when you are coloring your hair, the heat from your scalp can cause your roots to respond faster to hair color than the midlengths and ends.

Why does gray hair come back so fast?

The phenomenon of grey hair turning back to its natural color can be attributed to several factors: Melanin Production: Hair turns grey due to a decrease in melanin production in hair follicles. In some cases, the follicles may begin to produce melanin again, leading to a return of color.

How to Cover Gray Hair in 1 Step | The Best Product to Cover Grays & Roots

Can vitamin B12 stop gray hair?

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.

Why are my roots showing after a week?

Another reason for roots showing can be down to the swelling of the bleach and high lift colours. These types of colour applications swell as they develop, so the hairdresser applying the colour must pay attention to this.

Can I dye my grey roots every 2 weeks?

Frequency and colour placement are key – If your greys are coming through thick and fast, then you may need to colour every 2 weeks (you won't be alone in this, believe me). The good news is you can use half a tube of colour with half a sachet of developer, for two roots-only colour applications.

How do you stop roots from growing so fast?

Burning the roots. Filling in the hole left behind with concrete, rocks, or soil. Installing root barriers around their property's perimeter. Planting grass over the area.

Why does my hair go grey so quickly?

In some cases, grey hair may be caused by thyroid deficiencies, Waardenburg syndrome or a vitamin B12 deficiency. At some point in the human life cycle, cells that are located in the base of the hair's follicles slow, and eventually stop producing pigment.

Why does my hair dye only last 2 weeks?

Hard water is perhaps the most frustrating cause of fading hair color. That's because hardness isn't immediately obvious — which means you could use this water on every wash and inadvertently make things worse. Hard minerals can fade your hair dye and cause other issues.

Why won't my gray hair hold color?

Gray hair tends to be resistant and typically takes longer to grab hold of the hair. Since there is no pigment, there is no need to lift. You just need to open the cuticle enough to deposit the color. If you feel you can get full coverage using a 10 or 15 volume then by all means use a lower volume.

How to keep grey roots from showing?

Root concealer sprays provide a user-friendly option, the aerosols functioning similar to the dry shampoos we've all come to rely on. Oribe Airbrush Root Touch-Up Spray offers oil-absorbing benefits with its boost of color, R+Co's Bright Shadows Root Touch-Up Spray is a highly blendable option that amplifies shine.

What is the average age to go grey?

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.

What does baking soda do to gray hair?

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.

Why do my roots grow out so quick?

This is because your roots develop faster than the rest of your hair. It's all thanks to the heat on your head. But that doesn't reach much farther, so if you let your roots grow out a few inches, you may open up your hair to some inconsistencies in color even with a fresh batch of color.

How do you slow down root growth?

Light pruning - horizontal cutting and removal of 50mm of roots (with sharp secateurs removing both fine and coarse roots to achieve approximately 15% reduction in total root weight); Heavy pruning – removing one or two coarse roots with all attached fine roots to achieve approximately 50% decrease in root weight.

How to hide grey roots while growing hair out?

You can wear a hat to completely hide your grays as they grow in, or place a headband right at the line to create a chic two-toned look. Adding a mix of different hair clips can also be a fun option—you can use them to draw attention to or away from your new growth, depending on your preference.

Why do my grey hairs grow faster?

Background: Hair greying is an obvious sign of ageing in humans. White (nonpigmented) hair is thicker than black (pigmented) hair. The growth rate of white hair is also significantly higher than that of black hair. However, the mechanism underlying this is largely unknown.

What is the best root cover up between salon visits?

Our favorite overall pick is the Madison Reed Root Perfection Root Touch-Up Kit, which nourishes strands as it dyes them and covers roots for up to three weeks.

What colors should you avoid with gray hair?

The Colors to Avoid with Gray Hair

Here are a few to steer clear of: Muddy Neutrals: Beige, taupe, and other muted tones can make your skin look washed out and ashy. Earthy Yellows and Oranges: These warm tones clash with the coolness of gray hair and can make your complexion look sallow.

Is it bad to dye your roots every 4 weeks?

Most people do retouch roots every 4 to 6 weeks, and it's a good rule of thumb to make sure you don't go more than 8 weeks between sessions. This is because you want to make sure that your roots don't get any longer than an inch, and according to All Things Hair, hair grows about half an inch every month.

How often should I touch up grey roots?

How Often Should I Touch Up My Gray Roots? Touching up your gray roots approximately every three-four weeks is an excellent idea. You shouldn't put off touching them up until they are quite obvious. Your hair stylist will find this more challenging, and the process will take longer.

Why do my roots lose color so fast?

Using products with too high of a pH can cause the cuticle to re-open. An open cuticle will ultimately cause your hair color to fade fast and off tone. In addition, styling products that are loaded with plastics and petrochemicals can build up on the hair, causing hair to appear dull and lifeless.

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