Fashion
How Can I Covermy Gray Hair?
Gary Callan
Eventually, everyone's hairwill turn gray. Gray hair is actually the absence of colour, nota colour in itself. As we age the production of pigment slowsand then stops. This causes the hair to become less coloured (orgrayer). I'm sure that as I write this article, there is a scientistsomewhere, working hard on identifying the gene that tells thehair root to stop providing pigment to the hair. If and when hedoes there may be a pill that we can take and stop the grayingprocess. Until then we have to rely on the traditional methods.
I tell my clients that thereare three ways to handle gray hair. Cover it, blend it or ignoreit.
Cover it: this is the mostpopular and the simplest way to rid yourself of those pesky grays.Using either a semi permanent or permanent colour we can matchyour own colour or provide a fashion shade. This will completelyhide the gray and you will have to have your 'roots' done everyfour to five weeks. Definitely a major commitment.
Blend it: this is a more subtle approach. Highlights or lowlightsare added placing the greatest concentration in the gray areas.This creates a look that can hide from 10% to 90% of the grayhair. Another technique is to apply a 'tint rinse' or 'colourbath'. These are basically diluted permanent colours and willnot cover the gray completely. This will give the illusion ofhaving less gray and more shades.
Ignore it: this requiresa great deal of confidence. It usually works best if you neverstart colouring your hair and have a youthful appearance anyway,or if you just get fed up with the whole thing and let it growout. I actually think it can look very attractive. Remember whatI said a few articles ago, that as your hair changes so does thetone of your skin.
There are products on themarket designed especially for gray hair. Shampoos that removeyellow build-up from the hair. Relaxers that do not turn the hairgreen. Rinses to highlight the white or gray. Considering we livein a youth oriented society, there are plenty of options for thepersons who do not hide the fact that they are getting old.
I will say that grayinghair can be very aging on some. It really depends on the individual.For those of you (us) who want to hang on to your youth, comeand see us for a free consultation.
Until next week
Gary