Grey Hair

Dear Friends and Readers,

As I am get ready to make an appointment at my colorist, to get rid of my grays, I thought It was high time that I wrote about this topic….lots to say….and lots of emotions too. Read on for more on grey hair.

I think in the US as women, we have for many years had a fear of going grey. Maybe this has to do with our youth centric culture, and especially Hollywoods lack of showing women that are older onscreen. Hollywood is not the only one that has kept up the narrative that young is best, other culprits include the fashion industry as well. Much of that seemed to change during the pandemic. We couldn’t go to hair salons, so we either colored at home (my husband touched up my grey) or we let our hair go natural.

A number of my friends have really started to embrace the grey look - and they look amazing. Others, like myself, still aren’t ready to go there yet. Both are right for each individual. I guess this blog post is about starting the conversation around grey hair for women. My feeling is go with what feels right to you.

Here are some recent thoughts and articles that I have come across regarding going grey…please add your thoughts to the comments below….

Going gray is commonly explained as a loss of pigment (aka melanin) in the hair shaft. Typically, this hair has a different feel and texture than its pigmented counterparts. It's been noted that gray hair is coarser, thinner, and “less manageable” - Healthline.com

Look to your family to see where/when grey occurs. There are many reasons people experience graying, but a lot of times it simply comes down to natural aging and genetics —Trusted Source. This means that it just happens because it’s a commonality within your family genes. Check when out your relatives or parents started to go gray and see if it matches with your own ‘graying’ timeline. - healthline.com. Both my parents never went entirely grey. I see it on myself primarily around my face where my mother was grey. But that could also not necessarily be true. When I had a health scare a few years back, my husband shaved my head I was mostly salt and pepper under the red and the roots…

Environment can also play a factor in going grey. Stress, diet and smoking are all contributors in changing your hair color. Low copper, zinc, iron, calcium and D3 can all be factors in your hair going grey.

When thinking about the grey journey - really try to listen to your own inner voice. There are so many reasons for going and not going grey…In the not going grey camp people may feel that grey makes them look old or tired. They may also be afraid of what society or their employers think. Or they just don’t feel that grey is who they are right now. Others may feel like they are tired of paying for colorist. And some feel that their partner wont find them as attractive with grey hair.

When you have finally decided to go grey - talk to your colorists/hair stylists. They may have some great advice for you, with regards to styles, and what types or products and shampoos to use. But like all of us, going grey is both a matter of inches and also a matter of time. It can take months, and even years for our grey to come in the way we like it, and on the flip side we can feel a bit odd as we watch it happen. Again a colorist or hair dresser might be the person to take your hand and help ease you through the in between moments.

And if all else fails think about Andie MacDowell, who doesn't regret debuting her natural gray hair earlier this year—in fact, she thinks it's “badass.” “Honestly, it's exhausting to have to be something that you no longer are,” the Maid actress told Interview Magazine

Happy November - wherever you are on your hair color journey!