Many clients ask why their gray hair has a life of its own.
As we age those stubborn gray hairs begin to show up. Many people begin going gray early in life. Others don’t find a white hair until after 35.
Genetics plays a huge role in determining whether we will become prematurely gray or only see a few more gray hairs each year. That is just a guideline, because there are several other factors involved.
Darker hair shows the gray faster because of the contrast; however lighter haired people also can become gray early in life.
Our hormones are the No. 2 culprit after genetics. Our hormones deplete, as does the pigment in our hair, as we age. This lack of pigment results in white hair.
The B-complex vitamins can help normalize our hormone balance and therefore slow down the white hair growth.
Gray hair tends to be frizzy, wiry and resistant to color. One reason for this is that our bodies produce fewer oils as we age. The reduction of scalp oils makes hair drier, and the dryness causes it to be unruly.
Salon quality conditioner is very important in the taming of these white hairs, or “nature’s blonde,” as I call it. Also, shampooing less frequently helps the oils in our scalps to make our hair less brittle and more manageable.
Coloring gray hair – when done by a professional, of course – softens it and helps to make it more obedient and less obvious. That’s my favorite solution.
The outside cuticle of the gray hair is two to three times as dense as normal hair. This makes it resistant to hair color and difficult to style, not to mention giving it that life of its own.
A knowledgeable stylist knows the tricks and products to help your gray hair cooperate. He or she knows how to cut it properly and how to color it.
You do not have to give in to this aging white hair. With the proper care, instruction and knowledge of a professional, you can look 10 years younger and be a lot happier.
Joy Ross is owner of Style It Salon in Old Town Bluffton. www.styleitsalon.com
