Coloring gray hair at home

People can sport their silver strands with pride or opt to color them - either option has its upside. But if someone decides to color their hair at home, it should be easy to do and look great when they're done.

"Coloring gray hair can be tricky - and it all depends on how much gray a person has," says Susana Carranza, colorist at Marie Robinson Salon in New York City. The best hair dye for gray hair depends on different factors. Anyone who prefers to go the do-it-yourself (DIY) route - which can be a great way to save both time and money - should consider some of this helpful advice for how to dye gray hair.

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Why does hair turn gray?

"Gray hair is simply hair that's lost its melanin or pigment," says Kristen Fleming, color director of 3rd Coast Salon in Chicago. Once the hair follicle stops producing that pigment, it changes color. The outer layers of the hair can become more resistant to absorbing color, Fleming explains.

Additionally, gray hair tends to lack natural oils, which make it drier, coarser and even more wiry than nongray hair, Carranza points out. That's why coloring gray hair requires a different approach than coloring nongray hair.

Types of hair color

What is a semi-permanent hair color?

Not all hair dye is created equal. Demi- and semipermanent formulas deposit color onto the hair but don't fully penetrate the cortex of the hair shaft. For that reason, the color gradually washes out as someone shampoos, says Fleming. She adds that these are an especially good choice to use as at-home maintenance if someone is interspersing DIY coloring sessions with professional ones.

What is a permanent hair dye?

Permanent hair color, on the other hand, works by first passing through the hair cuticle (the outermost layer of the hair) and then depositing color into the hair shaft. It won't wash out; rather, there will be a wait for it to grow out. While it will give the most full-on gray coverage, keep in mind that it also requires more upkeep, since the line of demarcation as hair grows out is more pronounced, Carranza says.

What is a root touch-up?

If someone is in need of a quick fix or is just looking for a temporary solution to hold them over until they get to color again, Fleming recommends root touch-up sprays, which are easy to apply and wash out with just one shampoo.

How to dye hair at home

How someone applies their color plays a big part in the final result, especially if they're opting for a permanent color. First, they may need two boxes of color, particularly if their gray hair is very thick or coarse, Fleming says. Because grays can be harder to color, they want to make sure they have enough dye on hand to fully saturate all their hair.

1. Prep hair and skin

Prep hair by parting it into four sections: down the middle from front to back, and then down the sides, separated at the ears, Fleming says. Apply an ointment on top of the ears, around the hairline and at the back of the neck to act as a barrier and prevent the color from staining skin, she adds.

2. Apply dye on roots

Start the application at the crown of the head, slowly moving toward the front, but leave the hairline for last, Carranza says. "Applying it along the hairline first can over deposit on the baby hairs, making the hairline overly dark. Coloring this area last creates an illusion of a lighter, softer and brighter natural color versus one that looks too dark and inky."

3. Allow dye to process

Follow the directions on the particular product when it comes to processing time.

4. Rinse hair

When it comes time to wash it out, someone should "massage the color around in a circular motion as they shampoo. This will help break up the product and make it easier to remove," says Fleming.

While coloring grays at home can seem intimidating, it’s not that complicated once it’s broken down into its steps, making it a great way to refresh hair color while saving time and money.

Este contenido es solo para fines informativos y no constituye un asesoramiento médico. Consult your health care provider before taking any vitamins or supplements and prior to beginning or changing any health care practices.