How To Transition To Gray Hair
-
Transition From Dyed Hair To Natural Gray The Right Way
So, you’ve made the decision. It’s time to embrace the gray! And, let’s be clear here, there is absolutely nothing wrong with gray hair. If anything, it’s in fashion!
Although it may feel a little daunting, and can perhaps feel very emotional, it can also be an empowering moment for you as you enter this new phase of your hair’s life and appearance.
The hardest part really is the transition, as it can take a while to fully grow out. But, if you really care for your hair throughout the whole process, you can properly rock those new gorgeous silver strands and not have the process feel like a big defeat.
But, how does one begin growing in the gray from dyed hair? And, how can you make it as enjoyable a transition as possible?
First Things First, Why Does Hair Turn Gray?
When our bodies begin to mature, the pigment (melanin) in cells located in our hair follicles (at the base of the root) die. Melanin gives our hair color, so without it, each strand will begin to appear white. Gray hair is usually genetic so if your parents went gray, then it’s pretty much guaranteed you will too!
Concerned you’re prematurely graying? Premature graying can be brought on by some health conditions like diabetes, thyroid malfunction, and pernicious anemia. Check in with your doctor.
How To Transition To Gray Hair
Transitioning To Gray: It's Time To Cut And Style
If you’re anxious your transition to gray is going to make you look older, it’s essential you get a cut and style that gives you confidence in advance. Be really transparent with your hairdresser, and ask their opinion on what trim will flatter you and tell them about your journey to silver strands.
This doesn’t mean you have to jump to a pixie cut, although the shorter your hair, the less length the color has to grow out. If you passionately love your lengths, make sure to keep up with regular trims to keep any dry ends at bay which can make your mane look messy. You want the transition to look sleek and purposeful, so up your hair care throughout this process.
Transitioning To Gray: Highlights Can Help Blend Your Roots
If you were a bottled red or a brown hair color before you started growing out your grays, you don’t want to be left with a racing stripe of roots down the middle of your head. This is the hardest part of the transition to overcome as it can really be unsightly.
Approach your hair stylist about incorporating some low lights, perhaps blended with some highlights to soften the line of transition. This will help blend the tones going on on your head. Specify to your dresser that that’s your desired outcome: you only want transitioning streaks, not the whole lot dyed or you’ll have to start the gray growth process all over again!
Transitioning To Gray: Prevent Brassiness With An Ash Toner
So, we’ve assessed the root problem, but what about the ends? Without regularly dyeing the ends of your hair, it can look really brassy as the color fades. If you notice this has started to happen, chat to your stylist about “ash toners”.
An ash toner will take away the brassy harsh tones in the previously dyed hair. Or alternatively, you can use a shampoo and conditioner that contains violet pigments which can help dial down the brassy, yellowy tones occurring like Cel’s Silver Hair Enhancing Milk.
This Hair Milk contains specific, natural pigments and oils, which brighten and soften each strand and delicately reduce yellow, brassy undertones!
Transitioning To Gray: Switch Up Your Conditioning Products
With a new color comes a new texture. Yes, gray hair can be wiry, coarse and dry to touch. In addition, growing out dyed hair can bring about split ends if regular trims aren’t achievable.
It’s important, now more than ever then, to be using appropriate and targeted products. If you want your new gray locks to feel silky and look shiny, put your faith in Cel’s Silver Hair Enhancing Milk.
Cel’s hydrating Silver Hair Enhancing Milk is designed to act as both a shampoo and a conditioner, that rejuvenates graying hair and promotes brightness. This product is enriched with a unique blend of ingredients to ensure that hair is hydrated and replenished with much-needed oils to keep hair appropriately moisturized.
It contains lactic acid which relaxes and smooths the strands, making it more manageable whilst the avocado oil in the formula is able to penetrate the hair shaft and moisturize hair, rather than just create a coat on top.
Cel Pro Tip: For optimum hair care results, use in conjunction with Cel’s Microstem Hair Thickening Mask. This advanced keratin and biotin rich hair thickening mask provides intensive hydration and volume. Utilizing advanced argan oil; weaker, graying hair can be revitalized from the first use, helping to instantly improve the appearance of any coarseness or frizz. Simply soak into clean hair twice a week!
Transitioning To Gray: Invest In Better Bedding
If you want to support your hair in it’s transition of texture, then it may be time to invest in a silk pillowcase! Cotton is significantly more porous than silk, so can strip the scalp (and thus the hair) of it’s naturally produced oils, which gray hair needs more of as it is more coarse.
Promoting your pillow case to silk can help your hair retain moisture, keep it looking and feeling smooth, and maintain it’s overall health!
Cel Pro Tip: If you like to sleep with your hair up, leave out the elastic band and upgrade your scrunchies to silk too! A silk scrunchy is perfect for protecting coarser, gray hair. It will help prevent your hair tangling, as well as protecting it from excess friction, leaving your gray locks strong and smooth.
Transitioning To Gray: Fuel Your Hair With Protein
Hair is made of protein – that’s what keratin is! And protein consists of essential amino acids which your hair also loves. So, make sure you’re keeping on top of your protein levels via fish, eggs and lean meat like chicken and turkey.
If you’re wanting to optimize your hair from the inside out, it may be worth checking out a supplement that’s prime aim is to promote healthier, thicker hair. Look for one that's loaded with protein peptides, vitamins B & C, biotin and niacin.
How To Transition To Gray Hair: Our Final Thoughts
This journey to gray doesn’t have to be stressful or overwhelming: it can be a moment of growth and real release! Remember, gray is gorgeous, and we hope these tips will help you on your way to feeling in control of your hair’s new chapter!
