Why Does Our Hair Grey? What Can We Do About It?

Grey hair: How you just know you’re getting older…in some cases.

With age, it’s natural that our hair starts to slowly turn grey. In some cases the process can start earlier in life. However, in some cases, it comes later. So how exactly does grey hair work? And can it be slowed down at all? And what options do you have if you go grey prematurely?

Let’s give all these questions an answer.

Where does your natural hair color come from?

First thing’s first: Why does hair lose its pigment? Time to get all scientific.

Well, your hair follicles (hair cells, or melanocytes,) carry color. This color is called melanin, which also determines the color of your skin.  Your hair and skin color come down to how much melanin your body produces. Gradually, those hair follicles can lose their strength, resulting in the loss or change in hair color.

So, what does that pigment loss mean, and how is it caused? There’s a couple of different answers, so let’s talk about them.

Different types of greying

There are essentially two types of hair greying: From age, and prematurely. The first, greying from age, is probably what you think of when you think about who has grey hair, and why. It’s a natural occurence that usually begins between the ages of thirty and forty. Generally when this happens, grey hair appears on the top of the head and temples. Gradually, this increases to areas of the entire head. 

Pretty straight-forward stuff, right? As you get older, your hair gets more grey. It happens. Now, let’s talk about premature greying.

This type of greying, on the other hand, is a process that can occur among teenagers, even some children. But the cause(s) might be due to what you can’t help. Sometimes, thyroid disease or autoimmune disorders can impact the color of your hair. In addition, Harvard researchers found that regular stress and not enough sleep can also have an impact.  Additionally, premature greying might be genetic.

So, premature grey hair might not always be because of something you did. But, if you do notice yourself losing pigment and what to do something about it, you do have a few options. And you don’t have to go at it alone. In fact, if you get on the books for a hair salon or professional, you’ll be able to talk to someone with the know-how about what to do.
Here’s some options you can look into:

Root touch-ups

There are many products out there that can help you hide your gray hair. One of them is a root touch-up spray. This is an easy fix, and one you can find in a drugstore. Basically, it’s temporary dye, so it does wash out rather quickly. But if you need a quick solution, this is the one. 

Application is usually straightforward, with most brands directing you to spray a couple inches from your head. Voila!

With the lasting effect of touch-up spray being short, you do have another option. You can also get your roots colored at a salon and improve staying power by a couple of weeks. But for more alternative to sprays, search for special hair mascaras, powders, or balms. You can truly choose something that will suit you, and your hair the best. 

If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to reach out to a pro for a consultation. They’ll analyze your hair and give you advice on where to go. However, this isn’t your only option! Time to look at more grey hair care solutions.

Coloring hair products

Of course, one of the most common ways to cover up your greys is professional hair coloring. Today, professional dyeing products are made of natural ingredients that not only color, but also nourish, and regenerate the hair and scalp.

As opposed to past dye, hair coloring products are not only safer and healthier, but are dedicated to different types of hair. You can opt for a special dye created for silver hair, which will be formulated specifically for that purpose. You have many, many choices here. But if you can’t choose, as always, get on the books with your favorite hair professional. They’ll take care of all of that for you.

If you’re on the search for a new hair pro, feel free to start your search on Booksy to find a reputable person in your area. But for now, let’s talk about some things you should look for and ask about when choosing grey hair treatments.

Products for grey hair

Sometimes, grey hair tends to be dull and have a rough structure. Thankfully, this tendency can be improved by using special products. For instance, shampoos, conditioners, or moisturizing masks will strengthen their structure and nourish them. Just make sure they’re curated for your hair type. 

Products containing aloe vera can also work wonders, especially if you have a dry and/or itchy scalp. Thanks to this ingredient, your scalp cells can be properly oxygenated. Aloe vera can also smooth and repair the hair structure, as well as provide the necessary vitamins and minerals.

Additionally, there’s other ingredients that are said to help. In care products, look for biotin, folic acid, vitamin B12, zinc, calcium, and copper. These cold strengthen your hair and have properties that can delay the process of greying. But remember—often, grey hair isn’t preventable, but natural. 

Remember, if you ever have questions concerning your hair, you can always book an appointment at a hair salon. Thanks to Booksy, you can do it without leaving your home—just visit the Booksy website or download the app.