Alternatives to Coloring your Hair When you're Going Grey

Just like a short ring finger or a wide forehead is something you are born with, so too the age and rate at which start graying may not be within your control. And precisely because little seems to be effective in reversing the premature graying process, that people have always looked for ways to hide and deal with the grays. Coloring your hair offers the most effective remedy but it comes loaded with problems ranging from developing brittle hair and allergies to the presence of carcinogenic compounds in the color. So as the debate whether or not to dye graying hair goes on, here are a few alternatives you can consider.

Preventive measures

Scientists still are far from certain on why some people go gray early, but genes are believed to play a large role. While nothing much can be done about that, some experts also believe that a vitamin B-12 deficiency or problems with your pituitary or thyroid gland can cause premature graying. So if you are still in your twenties and notice silvery streaks already, correcting your nutrient deficiencies or hormonal problems may reverse the problem. Some vitamin B12 rich foods that you can include in your diet are fish, poultry, cheese, eggs, yogurt, milk and fortified cereals. Occasionally, a medical condition such as tuberculosis, fish tapeworms or diverticulitis may block the body’s ability to absorb vitamin B12. A doctor can provide the proper medication and treatment. Once the condition is remedied, graying of the hair should cease. Vitiligo - in which your skin loses melanocytes, resulting in very light patches of skin and possibly premature gray hair - , early menopause and smoking are some other underlying conditions responsible for premature graying and in some cases, treating these may help to prevent hair from going gray early.

In alternative medicines, certain herbs and ingredients are believed to have the potential to reverse premature graying of hair. In traditional Chinese medicine one of these is a herb called He Shou Wu while in the ancient Indian system of Ayurveda, a herb called  bringaraja is supposed to perform a similar function. However, there is no scientific evidence that any diet, herb, supplement, or product can reduce or reverse gray hair and if at all, you use any such product, do it with discretion and under the supervision of an expert in the relevant field.

Natural alternatives

If you are averse to coloring your hair for fear of harsh or dangerous chemicals in the hair dyes, you can explore natural ingredients which can lend a darker hue to your graying hair. Indian gooseberry known as ‘amla’, henna leaves and some herbs like sage, rosemary and nettle are some ingredients out of which pastes or rinses can be made and applied onto graying hair. Being natural, these are mostly safe to use but some people can still be allergic to them while for people who have more than 50% white hair, they would hardly lend any color.

Chemical alternatives

If you don’t want to dye but still want to conceal the gray, consider adding highlights to your hair. Scattered strands are lightened to blend the gray with the rest of your hair. Work with a colorist to weave in highlights and use toners to minimize the transition line between your natural hair color and your former hair dye. Again certain hair products may also help to minimize the appearance of graying hair. Use a coloring tool such as spray-on airbrush hair makeup, which washes out with a shampoo. Also buying quality shampoos designed for graying hair can give your hairstyle a healthier, shinier look that goes beyond hair coloring.

Styling alternatives

If you absolutely wish to avoid all chemicals on your hair, how about going for styles that will take the attention away from a few silvers and instead bring your haircut into focus. For this, consider going opting for a chic, short haircut or a style with sharper edges, such as a graduated bob of some type, some really smooth bangs or a really nice fringe. Unless you have an amazing bone structure like the actress Jamie Lee Curtis, avoid a really short crop since it can look severe and aging. . Longer, soft styles which flatter the face, or very modern, sharp cuts are better options. Experiment with various flattering cuts, but remember to keep it always styled so as to avoid any association with aging. Use a flat iron to make your hair look sleeker and shinier. Since gray hair tends to get frizzy,  a flat iron on your hair brings back the luster to it.

Then again graying hair tends to change your appearance so an up to date wardrobe and flattering make up will keep things sexy. It can appear to change your skin tone so adjust the colors on your makeup palette. You don't necessarily need more makeup, but you may need different tones in your makeup. If all that graying hair is giving you a washed out appearance, consider using your cosmetics to replace the color gone from your hair with more color in your face. A good tip is to draw more attention to your eyes. Lining the brows with an eyebrow pencil will help frame your face. Or perhaps go for a shot of strong color on the mouth. The final effect – that of red lipstick being paired with an icy shade of white hair is fantastic. And since beautifully styled grey hair is not something you see every day so when it is done well, the effect can be striking.

Take care of your hair

While even the most devoted hair care will not reverse the graying of hair, it will certain go a long way in lending a healthy shine and bounce to your tresses which in itself will look highly attractive. Keep your hair and scalp clean with a good quality shampoo – in fact using one with a blue base can help prevent gray hair from developing a yellowish cast. Also apply a conditioning mask to your hair, at least once a month to keep it well-moisturized. Finally have a healthy diet with lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy and lean proteins since all these are necessary for good looking hair.

Au naturel

Finally the only effective alternative to coloring your hair is to go gray gracefully. The popular association of youth and beauty has led to gray hair being thought of as unattractive. The truth however is that gray can be made to look highly sexy and sophisticated. In fact men are thought to acquire the ”distinguished' look as they grey around the temples. It lends them an air of maturity and gravitas. Some men are even considered more attractive as they grey – take the salt and pepper look that Hollywood star George Clooney sports for instance and you know he is considered the thinking woman’s sex symbol.  

Unfortunately women have been denied this space traditionally since the pressures of looking youthful are higher on them. Even then women whose hair has a natural silvery tint can appear to have platinum  highlights as they go grey. Apart from giving you the chic and sexy look, going au naturel can even be empowering for some women as it frees them from following the dictates of beauty as imposed by a consumerist culture. For men and women who know how to carry it off, grey hair can be a powerful symbol of confidence and  self-worth.