In the end, it's about the way you feel about yourself inside and out! Some women choose to put down the dye bottle at 30 and others continue well into their nineties. It's a matter of preference and a choice only you can make.
Naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide can also build up in the hair, bleaching the color. Typically, white people start going gray in their mid-30s, Asians in their late 30s, and Blacks in their mid-40s. Half of all people have a significant amount of gray hair by the time they turn 50.
The jury is out on this one though as each person will have a different take. Letting hair go completely grey is certainly easier in one respect (not having to dye it) but it does bring some other hair issues to the table.
Depending on your race, the average age for first signs of graying is the mid-30s for Caucasians, late-30s for those of Asian descent, and mid-40s for African Americans. It is believed that the overall average age when human hair starts to turn gray equates to a person's early 40s.
Cosmetologists and colorists, as a general rule of thumb, advise going gray when 80% of your hair is white or gray, or when your hair starts feeling increasingly dry and brittle.
Don't assume that grey hair makes you look older
Hair naturally loses pigment as we age, but stylist Paul Falltrick points out that the notion that grey hair makes you look older is increasingly becoming a misnomer: "Grey shades can be stereotyped as ageing, but a clean-looking grey is stunning" he says.
If you add the right hair colour, your 'grey' hair will act as highlights, giving you a completely new look that will get you noticed for all the right reasons. Professional colourists usually recommend a darker shade for your roots and a lighter shade that matches your natural hair for the rest.
There are three main ways of transitioning to gray hair from dyed hair: the cold turkey method (letting the dye grow out or cutting it out), the salon transition (having a stylist blend your dyed hair to match your natural gray), or the dye-strip technique (a combination of various methods).
Your hair will be healthier.
According to Healthline, applying dye lifts the hair's protective proteins so the chemicals can penetrate the strand and change its color. While this might result in a dazzling hue, it weakens the hair, which can cause brittleness, dryness, and overall thinning.
Blonde is Crowned the Sexiest Hair Colour of 2021!
The second sexiest hair colour is brunette, as more than three quarters of people (28.5%) voted this shade.
Grey Hair Can Actually Make You Look More Vibrant
If you do decide to go grey, you don't have to feel self-conscious about it – the standards of fashion are changing. We don't have to feel limited by outdated stereotypes that “grey hair = old.”
“If you choose to cover your gray/white hair, I would recommend lightening your hair's base color by a shade or two, or at least adding some highlights around the face.” Our Designers at One Salon concur that it's usually flattering to lighten your hair a bit as you age.
Neutral shades like soft blonde, mushroom brown, light copper, and caramel blonde balayage are the easiest to blend gray into (and maintain over time without wanting to shave your hair off).
Baking soda is a great natural remedy for gray hair, as it helps to clarify the hair and scalp while also restoring vibrancy and shine, especially if you're struggling with hair loss. Plus, baking soda can prevent discoloration due to exposure to sunlight, extreme dryness, or other factors.
The longer you leave a permanent or semi-permanent dye in, the deeper it penetrates into your hair cuticles and can cause irrevocable damage. To best protect your hair, try using more natural products that contain fewer chemicals to reduce potential harm.
Quit colour cold Turkey
Get frequent trims to close the gap between your coloured hair and the natural hair coming in at the root. Hair grows at a rate of about six inches a year (1/2 inch every two months), so it could take a little time to grow out, depending on your hair length.
Typically, the average transition to gray hair is six months to 18 months. It takes time because you're simply waiting for your hair to grow. There are things you can do to speed up the process like getting a haircut (to remove the colored hair) or dyeing all your hair gray.
Getting grey hair blonde is, for many women, the best way to cover grey hair. The blonde hair blends in seamlessly. And the white hair gets covered much more naturally.
According to hair biology experts and styling experts alike, grey hair is more resistant to color than younger hair because of its texture. The relative lack of natural oils in the hair compared to younger hair make it a rougher surface that tends to reject the color being applied, especially around the roots.
This knowledge will help ensure that all of your clothing choices – from your everyday wardrobe to formal events – will work with your hair color. You'll find that the best skin tones for those with gray hair are cool and light, such as pale beige or washed tan.
To keep your gray hair healthy, try to avoid over-using heat tools and styling products, as these can lead to unwanted yellow tones in your gray hair. If you do use heat tools, put them on the lowest setting and use a good thermal protectant. If your gray hair yellows, you can try purple shampoo or a purple mask.
1. Silver Fox. Silver, ashy, blond, and platinum are indeed the most popular hair color choices for women over 60. And with good reason!