Gray hair is a natural part of life, but how you choose to manage it is entirely personal.
Some of us embrace the silver and some prefer seamless, salon-quality coverage. You’ve got options! At Stephanie Moss Salon, we specialize in coloring graying hair in a way that protects your strands and makes you feel stunning.
Let’s talk about the causes of gray hair, how to care for it, the best hair color to cover gray and how to make the transition in both directions, no matter what your hair looks like now. It’s time to take the mystery (and stress) out of going gray!
Why Does Hair Turn Gray?
Gray hair happens when your body slows down melanin production, which gives your hair its natural color. This process is often genetic but can also be influenced by stress, nutrition or certain health conditions.
You might wonder why hair doesn’t turn blonde instead if it’s lightening anyway — this explanation gets a little science-y, but we’ll keep it short. There are two kinds of melanin: eumelanin (brown/black) and pheomelanin (red/yellow). Blonde or reddish hair has a higher proportion of pheomelanin than darker hair. As people with different hair colors age, their melanin type doesn’t change; their production is just reduced.
That’s part of why our hair doesn’t “turn” gray overnight. As melanin production slows down, hair loses pigment over time, often starting around the temples or roots. For most of us, once the gray comes in, it tends to stay.
Gray vs. White Hair
Gray hair still contains some pigment, which blends with non-pigmented strands to create a silver or salt-and-pepper appearance (which many people love). In contrast, white hair has lost all its pigment and appears pure white.
As our hair slows its melanin production to a trickle, gray hair often eventually turns white. Both white and gray hair can be covered or blended beautifully with professional color services, depending on your goals. Book a consultation with our stylists so we can get the whole picture!
Common Gray Hair Concerns (And How to Solve Them)
Why Is Gray Hair Coarse?
Many people notice that gray hair feels wiry, dry or more difficult to manage when compared to their previous hair type. That’s because your scalp produces less sebum (natural oil) as you age, making gray strands feel rough or frizzy. Professional moisturizing treatments, color glosses and high-quality home care products like conditioning masks can restore some of that softness and shine.
Why Does Gray Hair Turn Yellow?
Yellowing gray hair is more common than you might think. It can be caused by:
- Product buildup
- Hard water
- Heat styling without using a protectant
- UV rays and sun exposure
- Smoking and other pollutants
If you love your gray, silver or white hair, we recommend using a purple-toned shampoo to neutralize brassiness and keep those tones bright and cool. You might want to try a clarifying shampoo to counteract possible hard water or product buildup — consider professional treatments like toners to maintain the look you want.
The Best Hair Color to Cover Gray
When it comes to covering gray, not all hair color is created equal. The best hair color to cover gray is one that:
- Provides even, lasting coverage
- Matches your skin tone and natural shade
- Respects your hair’s texture and health
Consider going a couple shades lighter than your natural color to help with blending and make regrowth less noticeable. In general, lighter colors will require less maintenance since there will be less contrast. You can even go with highlights if you’re not ready for a full color change.
If you have particularly warm hair, naturally leaning golden or red, talk with your stylist about how to incorporate ashier tones and keep everything cohesive.
Stephanie Moss Salon offers custom-blended formulas using the best hair dye to color gray. Our stylists use techniques like full coverage, demi-permanent color, glosses, root shadowing and highlights/lowlights to create a result that feels natural instead of flat or harsh.
Hair is personal, and it’s important. We can help recommend the best color to cover gray hair for your specific hair type, lifestyle and maintenance preferences, on top of your natural coloring and sense of style.
How to Grow Out Gray Hair That Is Colored
Ready to go natural? You’re not alone, and you can be excited! Lots of clients choose to embrace their gray, and we love helping them make that transition.
Some of our strategies to help with this journey:
- Add color on grey hair using lowlights or toners to reduce contrast
- Use root-blending techniques to soften regrowth
- Try a gray gloss or silver-enhancing toner
- Use coloring shampoo for gray hair to keep unwanted tones at bay
This process doesn’t have to be painful, and it can be as sudden or gradual as you’re comfortable with. We’ll help you look polished and intentional every step of the way.
Coloring Graying Hair: Salon vs. DIY
Why choose salon color over at-home dye? Professional color:
- Offers better gray coverage, especially for coarse or resistant strands
- Preserves hair integrity and avoids over-processing
- Allows for personalized, multi-dimensional results
- Includes proper toning, application and aftercare
Bottom line? The best hair color for gray hair is the one tailored just for you — and applied by a stylist who understands how to make the most of your current hair instead of fighting it.
Final Tips for Maintaining Beautiful Gray Hair
Whether you’re coloring or embracing the gray, good care goes a long way.
- Use gentle shampoo and conditioner (maybe even purple-toned)
- Limit heat styling or use heat protectant
- Deep condition regularly to keep strands soft
- Protect your hair from sun and chlorine
- Schedule salon touch-ups or glosses as needed
Let’s Talk About Your Gray Hair Goals
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to graying hair. We’re here to support you from consultation to full-color to blending out regrowth.
In the end, our aim is the same as it always is: to help you feel beautiful.
Book your appointment today at Stephanie Moss Salon today and let’s create a plan that works beautifully for you!
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