Gray hair is a natural part of the aging process. For some, it starts early in life, like my husband, who started graying in his twenties. For others, it doesn’t come until much later, if at all. There are plenty of solutions to fight the signs of aging, gray hair and keep your hair looking young and beautiful.
The easiest solution to cover senior gray hair is to use a temporary rinse. You can apply it at home, knowing that it will wash out the next time you shampoo your hair. It’s no commitment so you don’t have to worry about making mistakes or missing a spot. If you don’t like the color, you can wash it right out. The downsides of a temporary rinse to cover senior gray hair is that it rinses right out when you wash it. You have to reapply the rinse every time you shampoo, and be careful of rainstorms and humid days as water can cause your rinse to run all over you, your face, and your clothes. It is possible, if your hair is damaged or porous, that the temporary solution can stain your hair and not wash all the way out, so choose your color wisely. A stylist can help you get the color out if it does stain your hair. You may want to get help from a friend or stylist applying your rinse as it can be rather messy.
If you want a more long term solution to cover your senior gray hair, try a demi-permanent color. A demi-permament color will blend away your gray, but not cover it completely. It will fade away in about eight to twelve weeks. You’ll want to go to the hairdressers for this option, as grocery store brands aren’t always demi-permanent as they claim, and the results are not always consistent. Your hair dresser can help you choose the right color for your gray hair and apply it a way that is safe and effective.
Another way to disguise your gray, but not cover it completely, is to get some highlights. This can be a cost effective solution as the maintenance is lower. The highlights won’t cover the gray, but they will make the gray regrowth a little less noticeable, and prevent the “skunk stripe” effect as new growth appears. Highlights at home can be damaging to the hair, so make sure you see the hairdresser to get them.
Permanent hair color is another great option to completely cover your gray. You will need to see a hairstylist for this ne, as at home products don’t always cover completely, and you may need a specially formulated product for coarse, stubborn, gray hair. Keep in mind, that light blonde shades cannot cover grey well, but they can blend it away and make it less noticeable. You will need regular touch ups to keep your hair looking fresh and to hid the gray as it grows in.
The last option for gray hair is to keep it gray… but help it look it’s best. Your stylist can help you find a clarifying shampoo and a gray enhancing shampoo to keep your gray color looking pristine and beautiful and prevent it from getting stained and yellowed. Consider regular conditioning treatments and a gloss to keep your hair looking healthy, shiny, and manageable.
