What To Look For
Gray hair occurs when the pigment cells in hair follicles die, a natural process that happens with age. A common side effect of gray hair is that it is dry, coarse and can turn wiry in texture, regardless of what texture your hair was before it turned gray. It's best to look for conditioners that contain humectants to help smooth the hair's texture and keep it hydrated. Regular conditioners can sometimes have a yellowing effect on gray hair, but using a violet-toned conditioner will help keep gray hair looking shiny and vibrant.
Common Pitfalls
It typically takes around 10 years to go completely gray from the first sight of gray hair. This can make it hard to treat gray hair issues, since the whole head hasn't fully turned gray. To avoid the yellow tones gray can sometimes take on, use a clarifying shampoo, which will help reduce the yellow tones of gray hair without disturbing the color of the remaining pigmented hair.
Where To Buy
Moisturizing conditioners are available at all major retail locations including drugstores, professional salons and natural product specialty stores. Color correcting conditioners with a violet tone are usually found in professional salons and beauty supply stores. The website Folica.com carries many hair care brands and can be a good place to begin looking for a moisturizing or violet-toned conditioner.
Cost
Regular moisturizing conditioners typically cost between $4 and $30, depending upon whether it is a conditioner available at a drugstore or a more expensive professional salon-brand conditioner. Violet-toned conditioners are special color-correcting conditioners, which make them more expensive than regular moisturizing shampoos. Violet conditioners can cost anywhere from $10 to $35 and up, depending on the specific brand.
Comparison Shopping
American Crew Classic Gray Conditioner and Aveda Blue Malva Conditioner for Gray Hair are two color-correcting conditioners developed specifically for gray hair that will help eliminate the brassy, yellow tones and help keep it looking bright and shiny.
Insider Tips
To keep gray hair soft and smooth, use a deep conditioning treatment once a week in place of regular conditioner. Also, if you cannot find a color-correcting conditioner specifically for gray hair, you can use one made for blonde hair because it also will neutralize brassy tones and contains a violet hue.
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