Greying hair is a natural part of ageing — and yet, there are so many women out there who reach out for a box of hair dye the moment they spot a strand of grey. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to cover up your greys, the problem arises when you do so based on what others might think of your greying mane.
Dare I say that the lockdown was a blessing in disguise. Not only did it make us appreciate and value the little pleasures of life that we took for granted, but it had more and more women embrace their natural skin and hair (greys too).
If you too have decided to shed your inhibitions and accept your greys, this article will help you ease through the process. Since caring for grey hair is different, make sure you’re doing it right by following all the tips mentioned below.
- Use the right shampoo
- Brush your hair before bed
- Avoid regular heat styling
- Use conditioning products
- Protect your hair when outside
Use the right shampoo
Grey hair tends to react with the sun and oxidise a lot faster, leading to a yellow, brassy tint and develops an overall dull look. To avoid this issue, it is recommended to use a purple shampoo once every fortnight as it helps to brighten up grey hair and make them look healthy.
BB picks: Tigi Bed Head Dumb Blonde Purple Toning Shampoo
Brush your hair before bed
Since grey hair tends to have a lesser amount of sebum production, it tends to appear coarse and frizzy. A great way to deal with this is to simply brush your hair with a boar bristled brush a couple of times before going to bed. This will help to distribute the natural oils equally throughout the scalp and hair, and ensure that you wake up to softer and smoother looking hair.
Avoid regular heat styling
When your hair turns grey, the follicles stop producing a lot of oil, which leads to dryness. Since grey hair is anyway so frizzy, it is best to avoid dispensing more heat in the form of styling tools, as that could lead to serious and irreversible damage. Even if you do style your hair, make sure to spritz on a heat protectant spray to protect your tresses from heat damage.
BB Picks: Tresemme Keratin Smooth Heat Protection Shine Spray
Use conditioning products
One of the main concerns with grey hair is dryness and frizz. While this is absolutely natural (as discussed above), there are certain things you can do to keep your strands moisturises. Always use a conditioner after shampooing and follow it up with a leave-in conditioner. Additionally, use a moisturising hair mask at least once or twice a week to keep your hair silky soft.
Protect your hair when outside
Image courtesy: @Sara Attali Design on Pinterest
Grey hair is a lot more susceptible to damage from environmental aggressors; therefore, it is best to give it a little extra care. Ensure that you cover your hair with a scarf or hat whenever you are outside in the sun. Avoid swimming in chlorinated water without appropriate headgear. If you feel like your hair is getting seriously damaged or discoloured, consider taking oral sunscreen to provide your hair with the protection it needs. Main image courtesy: @nic_went_gray and @liz_kamarul
Written by Urvi Dalal on Sep 24, 2020
Writer, avid reader and hardcore beauty enthusiast is the best way to describe Urvi Dalal. With over 5 years of writing experience in the beauty industry, you can trust her to have the latest skin, hair and makeup tidbits on her fingertips. In her time working as a beauty writer, she has had the opportunity to interact and work closely with a string of dermatologists, makeup artists and hairstylists. All that knowledge exchange, coupled with her flair and love for writing make it possible for her to bring you some authentic yet fun beauty content. When Urvi isn’t working, you’d usually catch her curled up with a big, fat book, drinking a cup of tea or practising her makeup skills; there is no in-between!