It happens. One morning you wake up feeling like the world is your oyster, and while you’re getting ready in the mirror, you see it—that wildly untamable, wiry grey hair that seems to have popped up almost overnight. (Or did it?) Then the careful examination begins, and you realize that scattered throughout your once-youthful head is an entire crop of grey hairs. Suddenly, your day is ruined, and you begin thinking about wearing a hat, a scarf, or even a bandana to try and cover up the fact that yes, you TOO have become a victim of aging. Suddenly, the world stinks of a rotten oyster smell.
This ‘life event’ is one that everyone faces at some point. While many people may embrace the new grey hairs, feeling that they are simply a sign of life experience, others will frantically begin the process of covering them up.
First, a little science lesson. Grey hairs begin to appear—mostly around the forehead and temples—when your body stops producing melanin. The normal aging process causes your body to discontinue melanin production, which is responsible for your hair color. Then, as hair follicles fall out and are replaced with ‘melanin-less’ hair, the strands appear grey in color. As your body produces less and less melanin, the hair gets greyer—and eventually white. Additionally, the lack of melanin in the cells that produce hair follicles is also the reason grey hairs are so wiry, coarse, and dry.
Twenty years ago, only 18% of men and women noticed what could be considered the first sign of middle age before the age of 30. According to hair care expert John Frieda, today grey hair is becoming commonplace for both men and women in just the second decade of life. In fact, recent research from Science Daily indicates that around 83% of the population will find their first grey hair before turning 30. While many have long believed that early graying is a sign of stress, science does not support this theory. Instead, it blames genetics and environmental conditions that damage the cells. That said, some research shows a deficiency in Vitamin B can cause early graying, and when corrected, may actually slow the process. (Take your B multivitamins!)
Covering the Grey: To Color or Not to Color?
Around 8 out of every 10 women with grey hair use artificial methods to cover it. And while salon giant L’Oréal is working on natural shampoos and food supplements to replace melanin in hair and prevent graying, most women are still turning to hair dye. The problem? Grey hairs tend to have a Teflon-like resistance to hair color, meaning you can become a slave to the bottle every 5–6 weeks with an all-over color.
Experts suggest choosing a hair color that closely matches your natural hair if you opt for full coverage. However, if you’ve just started to grey, you might be able to hide it better—and for longer—by using highlights and/or lowlights. This method doesn’t require touch-ups as frequently as full coverage. The first time you try it, it’s wise to let a professional handle it since grey hairs can react unpredictably to colorants.
There are also some natural, chemical-free ways to cover grey hair at home. Before trying any of them, you should spot-check an inconspicuous strand. If you have lighter hair, a simple henna rinse may work well to brighten and color the greys. You can apply the henna all over to achieve a uniform tone. Natural henna rinses and dyes are often available at beauty supply shops, although herbal experts suggest that boiling the herb and using the remaining water works just as well. For those with darker hair, boiling teas or coffee mixed with rosemary and tea tree oil can help revive the natural brunette tone.
In the end, whether or not you allow the grey to transition in is entirely up to you. Many women color their hair for the rest of their lives in an effort to maintain a youthful appearance. Others embrace the grey, wearing it with pride rather than shame. Eventually, everyone will get grey hair. The sheer terror many women feel when they spot their first grey strand reflects a culture that often doesn’t regard women as beautiful unless they fit into a narrow, 25-year-old mold. But no one—not even YOU—stays 21 forever.
Believe it or not, women are NOT the only ones worrying about grey hairs these days. Even though salt-and-pepper hair is often considered sexy on men, the hair color industry for men is a booming, billion-dollar business.
Will you be—or are you already—covering your grey? Or will you wear your grey hair as a crown of glory, earned from a life well lived?
