Sunday, June 12, 2011

Gray Hair


Whether you’re 16 or 60 when it happens, gray hair is almost certainly going to strike some day. As you age, the pigment-producing substances in your hair shut down, leaving your hair without color. Gray or white hair brings with it new challenges, but the solutions are simple and can leave you with stylish, attractive locks.
Problem: I have only a few gray hairs, but they’re wiry and practically standing at attention.
Solution: Pluck ’em. Gray hair tends to be more dry and brittle, and if you have a sleek style, they can stand out like porcupine quills. If you don’t have many, you can pull them out. Contrary to what you may have heard, you won’t grow two more (or five, or 10, or a dozen) in its place. The pace of graying is different for everyone. If you go gray quickly, it may seem as though multiple new gray hairs grow in every time you pluck one, but they would grow in whether you plucked or not.
Problem: I’m ready to start coloring my gray. What’s the best way?
Solution: Whether you plan to color your hair yourself or have it done professionally, your stylist can give you tips on what works best. Talk to your stylist about your color choices. Many women find that a shade or two lighter than their natural color or something close to their childhood color works well. If your gray is too widespread to pluck but is evenly distributed and your natural hair color is still predominant, your stylist might be able to blend the gray in with highlights or lowlights.
Problem: I’ve been covering up my gray for years. But now that I’m almost all gray, I want to let it go natural. How do I manage the changeover without gray roots?
Solution: Coloring your hair gray is difficult, since gray hair actually lacks color. You can shift your hair color in shades, gradually moving toward gray while your own gray grows in. Or you can use temporary or semipermanent coloring on the roots. These products will cover the gray but wash out with a number of shampoos, and once they wash out you can decide whether you need another application. Whatever you choose, a short hairstyle will help keep the transition time brief.
Problem: I’ve gone gray, and now I need to find a flattering haircut.
Solution: Gray hair and white hair are often coarse and might require you to learn new styling techniques. Because gray hair can be dry, shorter styles generally look more flattering than longer locks. That said, a flattering haircut should work well with the shape of your face, whether your hair is gray, your natural color, or something else altogether. It’s more important to update your hairstyle periodically so it doesn’t look dated, no matter what the color is. Whether you decide to go gray or not, find a stylish, flattering hairstyle you’ll love.

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