Gray hairs grow no faster or slower than pigmented hair, however you will probably notice some changes in the texture and manageability of your hair as more and more gray comes in. Gray hair also has some specific care needs. If you have been coloring your hair for years but decide to opt for your natural gray color, there are strategies you can employ to ease through the growing-out process.
Process of Graying
Your hair is the color it is because of melanin, the same substance that gives skin its color. As you age, the amount of melanin in each hair shaft decreases, leading to gray and eventually white hair. Gray hair does not actually "turn" gray. Each hair strand grows for about two to four years, according to Rhonda B. Graham, staff writer for Aetna InteliHealth. After a two- to four-month resting stage, a hair falls out and is then replaced by a new hair. You lose between 50 to 100 individual hair strands each day, and the pigmented hairs are gradually replaced by gray hairs as you age.
Time Frame
Becoming gray is inevitable as you age, but everyone's graying timetable is unique. Although most people begin seeing their first gray hairs in their 30s and 40s, some turn gray as early as their teenage years, while other retain some pigment in their hair even into old age. Genetics plays a major role in determining when hair begins losing its color, so if your parents or siblings became gray early on, chances are that you will as well.
Texture Changes
Many people notice that their gray hair has a different texture than pigmented hair. Gray and white hair also tends to be more brittle and dry, so make regular use of deep-conditioning treatments to keep your hair healthy.
Gray Hair Care
As your gray grows in, you will most likely need to make some changes in the way you care for your hair, according to Diana Lewis Jewell, author of "Going Gray Looking Great." Avoid using high heat and getting too much sun exposure, both of which can cause gray hair to take on an unattractive yellow cast. Gray hair loses its ability to reflect light, so using a blue- or violet-tinted shampoo made especially for gray or white hair can help keep your gray hair shiny.
Growing Out Gray
If you have been coloring your hair, but decide to declare freedom from frequent salon visits and grow out your gray hair, it is best to consult with a professional stylist, suggests hair expert Mark Garrison of "Ladies Home Journal." A line of demarcation between processed and non-processed hair is inevitable if your goal is to go color-free. Many women opt for a very short hair style to speed their transition time. Your colorist may also suggest gradually decreasing processing time of your regular color, or adding lowlights or layering to your hair to make the line between the gray hair and colored hair less noticeable.
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