Our hair undergoes many transformations as we age, and the arrival of natural grey hair is a significant one. This transition to grey, often called “going grey,” can be a moment of empowerment or a source of concern, depending on individual perspectives. Regardless of how you view it, understanding how to properly care for grey hair is key to ensuring it looks its best. Instead of seeing grey as just a sign of aging, consider it a luxurious neutral shade that, with the right care, can be incredibly striking. Let’s delve into expert-backed methods to nurture your grey hair and enhance its natural beauty.
To effectively care for grey hair, it’s important to first understand how it differs from hair with pigment. Dr. Gaby Longsworth, a Ph.D. scientist, certified hair practitioner, and biotech patent attorney, explains, “As we age, hair naturally loses density, shine, and its pigment. The scalp’s oil glands also become less active, producing less sebum.” Contrary to popular belief, grey hair isn’t actually white. It’s transparent, almost like glass, due to the loss of melanin – the pigment that also protects our hair from UV radiation. Dr. Longsworth highlights, “Gray hair lacks melanin’s natural protection, making it more vulnerable to sun damage. This sun exposure can oxidize hair proteins, which is why grey and white hair is prone to yellowing and dullness.” This increased sensitivity underscores the importance of dedicated care to maintain vibrant, luscious grey tones, rather than allowing them to become “yellow and tarnished.”
Furthermore, the reduced sebum production can lead to a drier, coarser, and wiry texture, particularly for curly hair types, according to Dr. Longsworth. Therefore, adjusting your hair care and styling practices is essential to accommodate these changes and keep your grey hair looking and feeling its best. Let’s explore the essential steps to ensure your natural grey hair makes a statement for all the right reasons.
Remove Buildup Effectively with Clarifying Shampoo
Clarifying shampoo is a vital tool in your grey hair care arsenal. “To maintain healthy grey hair, it’s crucial to use gentle clarifying shampoos and avoid sulfates, which can be excessively drying, especially for grey and curly hair,” advises Dr. Longsworth. She recommends incorporating a charcoal or apple cider vinegar (ACV) detox shampoo into your routine weekly or bi-weekly. These types of products are excellent for keeping silver strands brilliantly white and promoting a healthy scalp by removing product buildup and mineral deposits from water.
Ouai Detox Shampoo, formulated with chelating agents, apple cider vinegar, and hydrolyzed keratin, is an excellent choice for effectively removing dirt, oil, and buildup while conditioning the hair. Alternatively, Nina Rubel, Creative Director and Head of Color at Rob Peetoom Salon in Williamsburg, suggests alternating between L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Shampoo and your regular cleanser for a thorough cleanse. L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Shampoo is designed to detoxify hair from metals, contributing to healthier and brighter grey hair.
Gentle Cleansing is Key
On days when you’re not using a clarifying shampoo, your regular shampoo should focus on enhancing the appearance and feel of your grey hair. “The lack of pigment in grey hair makes it susceptible to yellowing due to various factors, including product buildup, metals and minerals in water, heat styling, sun exposure, and environmental pollutants,” explains Nina Rubel. To combat this brassiness and maintain bright silver tones, investing in purple shampoos and other anti-brassiness products is essential.
Dr. Longsworth recommends Davines Alchemic Silver Shampoo, specifically formulated for platinum and cool blonde tones, which works beautifully for grey hair. Another excellent option is Klorane Anti-Yellowing Shampoo with Centaury, enriched with organic centaury extract to neutralize copper and yellow undertones, leaving grey hair looking clear and vibrant.
Deeply Moisturize with Treatments
Following cleansing, conditioning becomes even more critical for grey hair. “Grey hair requires significantly more hydration than pigmented hair,” states Dr. Longsworth. Beyond using regular conditioners designed to complement your shampoo, incorporating a hydrating hair mask or deep conditioner into your routine is highly beneficial. These treatments deliver intense moisture to combat dryness and improve hair texture.
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask is a widely acclaimed mask known for its ability to revitalize dry, damaged hair in just a few uses, making it ideal for moisture-deprived grey strands. For those preferring clean beauty formulations, Innersense Organic Beauty Hydrating Hair Mask offers a fantastic option. Infused with shea butter, flax seed, quinoa, coconut, and tamanu oils, it provides deep hydration without weighing the hair down, leaving it soft and manageable.
Utilize a Reparative Leave-In Conditioner
Regardless of your styling habits, a leave-in conditioner is a vital step to repair and protect vulnerable grey strands. “Because grey hair is more prone to damage, strengthening and protecting it is paramount,” emphasizes Rubel. Leave-in treatments provide continuous nourishment and protection throughout the day.
K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask is a highly sought-after treatment known for reversing existing damage and shielding hair from future stressors. Augustinus Bader The Leave-In Conditioner is another premium option, featuring the brand’s renowned TCF8 complex along with potent superfoods and antioxidants to encourage shiny, thick, and well-hydrated grey hair.
Maintain a Balanced Scalp Environment
Healthy hair growth and appearance begin at the scalp, regardless of hair color. Trichologist Bridgette Hill previously advised Vogue that hair serums are beneficial for providing “moisture, protection, and styling benefits for both the scalp and hair fiber.” Scalp serums address scalp health, which directly impacts hair quality.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Balancing Scalp Serum is formulated to alleviate dryness, oiliness, and inflammation of the scalp and hair follicles, fostering a healthy environment for hair growth. Kérastase Initialiste Strengthening & Volumizing Advanced Scalp & Hair Serum utilizes a blend of ceramides, conditioning agents, and green tea extracts to soften hair, reduce breakage, and improve overall scalp health.
Encourage Hair Growth and Strength
Products designed to strengthen both pigmented and grey hair, while also promoting growth, are valuable investments. These treatments help combat the natural thinning and weakening that can occur with age.
Dr. Longsworth favors Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil, which boasts a powerful blend of castor oil, rosemary, peppermint, biotin, and tea tree oils known for their hair growth and strengthening properties. Oribe Hair Alchemy Fortifying Treatment Serum is another excellent serum enriched with chia seed, bamboo, plant-based protein, and hyaluronic acid. It not only strengthens hair but also provides heat protection up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Protect Hair with Heat Protectant When Using Hot Tools
Protection is paramount when using styling tools on grey hair. “When grey hair is excessively styled with hot tools, it can become lackluster and develop a yellowish tint due to heat damage. Therefore, using a proper heat protectant is non-negotiable,” advises Rubel. While some hair products offer built-in heat protection, a dedicated heat protectant spray provides an extra layer of defense.
Kenra Thermal Styling Spray 19 and Bumble and bumble Bb. Heat Shield Thermal Protection Mist are both highly effective options, safeguarding hair against heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Using a heat protectant ensures that styling tools enhance your look without compromising the health and color of your grey hair.
Adapt Your Styling Products
It’s common for previously loved styling products to no longer suit grey hair. This is the perfect opportunity to explore and switch to formulas that are better suited to its texture and needs. Dr. Longsworth recommends Miribel Naturals Silky Smooth Flaxseed Gel, a lightweight gel that provides soft, weightless hold while infusing moisture with conditioning ingredients like aloe vera, flaxseed extract, and vitamin E – crucial for often drier grey hair.
For adding volume to potentially flat grey hair, Paul Mitchell Clean Beauty Volumizing Liquid is a fantastic option, favored by model Maye Musk. Shu Uemura Awa Volume Volumizing Mousse, endorsed by Rubel, is another excellent choice for creating body and lift. For versatile styling needs, Living Proof Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray delivers instant volume and undone texture, perfect for various grey hairstyles.
Seal in Hydration with Hair Oil
As the final touch in your grey hair care routine, a few drops of hair oil can work wonders for dry, brittle strands by effectively locking in moisture. Davines OI Oil is a fantastic option to delicately apply for added shine and softness to both damp and dry hair without causing any heaviness, particularly beneficial if your grey hair feels exceptionally coarse. Bread Beauty Supply Hair-Oil Everyday Gloss is another excellent choice, enriched with Kakadu plum to impart unmatched shine and hydration, leaving your grey hair looking healthy and radiant.
