Choosing to become gray brings with it a certain relief. Yes, you can’t play around with color any more, but you can also wave goodbye to costly salon visits, touch-ups for your roots, and bleached, breakable hair. Nonetheless, gray hair has its own peculiarities. Compared to colored hair, it is typically drier, coarser, and thinner. If improperly maintained, it can even turn yellow.
Fortunately, if you know what to do, you can prevent these things. Here, hair professionals discuss seven haircare blunders that people with gray hair should steer clear of, along with fixes that will transform your locks from dull to gorgeous.
Table of Contents
7 Ways You’re Ruining Your Gray Hair, Stylists Warn
1. Infrequent Trims
Regular trims are crucial for maintaining the health and vitality of gray hair. Cindy Marcus emphasizes that waiting longer than eight to ten weeks between haircuts can lead to split ends, dryness, and frizz. By keeping up with scheduled trims, you ensure that your ends remain healthy and prevent breakage.
2. Excessive Washing
Over-washing gray hair is a common mistake that can strip away its natural oils, according to Lauren Udoh. Washing two to three times a week with a gentle shampoo and conditioner preserves essential oils, keeping your hair hydrated and protected. Additionally, using a leave-in conditioner or oil after washing helps maintain moisture and prevent dryness.
3. Misuse of Blue Shampoo
Using blue shampoo on gray hair can result in undesirable tones, warns Cindy Marcus. Opting for purple- or violet-toned shampoo prevents yellowing and maintains the brightness of white hair. Pairing it with a conditioner suited to your hair texture ensures optimal results, whether hydrating for coarse hair or volumizing for finer strands.
4. Neglecting Detox Shampoo
Regular use of detox shampoo is essential for cleansing gray hair deeply and removing buildup, explains Cody Renegar. This helps fill porous holes, reduce wiriness, and enhance smoothness. Renegar suggests using detox shampoo once or twice a week to maintain hair health, and even offers a DIY option with baking soda and regular shampoo.
5. Lack of Hair Oil
Applying oil to gray hair provides essential softness and shine, as highlighted by colorist Dave Stanko. It helps combat wiriness and adds silkiness, enhancing the overall texture. Opt for a product tailored to coarse hair, apply sparingly according to the instructions, and enjoy the benefits of nourished strands.
6. Uniform Hair Length
Layered haircuts are recommended for gray hair to achieve movement and vitality, as noted by Oprah.com. Long layers help distribute weight, allowing your style to swing and bounce effortlessly. Eva Scrivo suggests incorporating side-swept bangs to complement the layers and add dimension to your look.
7. Excessive Styling
Gray hair is prone to coarseness, making over-styling detrimental, Cindy Marcus advises. Embrace natural curls to minimize damage and enhance texture, using curl cream for definition and air-drying whenever possible. Limit the use of hot tools to a few times per week to maintain sleekness and minimize frizz.
