Anatomy of Gray Hair
Definitive and sure sign of years passing by: this is my gentle version of describing how grey hair is a part of getting old.
Definitive and sure sign of years passing by: that is a gentle version of describing how grey hair is a part of getting old.
Most of us have some greying of hair in 30’s, the process that seems to speed up with each passing month after that. To grey is to loose a color production capability of hair complex, which translates into lower rates of melanin in the hair follicle. This process is more dramatic for people with darker hair and less so for blondes.
To care for the grey hair is more challenging as the hair becomes brittle, easy to break, frizz and tougher to style. It is only an element of added surprise (or shock)if along the color change you have some thinning involved as well.
I am grateful that with many options, opinions, and even with advent of social media, it is easier than ever to embrace this change rather than fight it, as beating that process you will not. There is so many pictures and articles written on glory of grey hair, or even fancy women transitioning from color to grey with an element of adventure and grace. I do not think that this is vain or even contrarian. I just think that more than ever this is the expression of getting to be comfortable with who and how you are and how you plan to spend the time you have left on this planet. My opinion on the topic is influenced by the fact that every time you color the hair most likely you will need to be exposed to toxic chemicals, hair processing and excessive drying.
I decided that I will go without hair salon color for awhile now. It is in the midst of Covid19 pandemic that this decision is not only established, but from the facts check point of view it is a necessity: the hair salons are closed for at last a month in some areas. My friend had her stylist mix her color which she applied at home; she also went on cutting her husband’s hair and predicts that this will be a money saving custom for them going forward. She watched YouTube “how to” video to cut the hair. I wonder if she is very good at it, husband just does not care, or if her action is simply an act of desperation rewarded by thinking on her feet. While I saw celebrities cutting their hair and posting photos of that on social media I predict that this shall pass too, and we will all go back to proper place where the hair is served, similarly to driving with winter tires at more appropriate time of the year to do so, and braving the circumstances and finally going to the car service shop(how many os us still have winter tires on, and drive on oldish oil?).
What I like about hair greying process is the freedom of my hair self-expression; mixing and matching with remaining palette of hair colors. There is a few variations of color going on on my head: more blonde in front and brown in the back and in the middle mix of a few shades. I think of my hair color scheme like many travelers approach leaf peeking season of forests of Northeast, with celebration of beautiful maples welcoming Fall with most fantastic leaves color changes; the Fall - time of enormous beauty, culmination of accomplishments of seasons’ past, and transitions to colder and less colorful months. Isn’t life on the same trajectory after all?
Grey hair need care just like any other, and perhaps more. I add conditioner to every other wash as too much of it may make hair even more frizzy, the problem more prevalent with grey hair. Once in a while I use chamomile shampoo to add some light sparkle to my hair, and once a week or even less I use violet shampoo, the favorite of my friends in Florida. Too much of it and you have this modern looking bluish tint to your hair, which I very much like, less of it and it just looks more platinum blonde and adds a dimension.
And the hair follicle itself is only a part of what is relevant in care of what’s north of your neck. It also appears to me that with age the scalp is more sensitive and dry. It helps not to shampoo too harshly, and to rinse well. Once is a while I use chamomile tincture rinse and gentle massage for better circulation and my balanced, problems-free scalp philosophy.
Finally, there is a dilemma of vitamins use for hair health. You can spend a fortune on buying hair-friendly supplements, or you can adjust your diet to hair and skin needs, which have a lot in common. So one can add group B vitamins to diet which are plentiful in grain rich products, such as whole or multi-grain breads, and even sugar-free cereals. I love oatmeal for that purpose. Then, other hair healthy minerals like zinc, iron, manganese, copper (and other vitamins - like A and E) you can find in nuts, seeds and legumes, vegetables like avocado, and oils, like canola. Meats rich in iron are very healthy alternative as well, so a good cut of steak may improve the hair health in proper fashion, while in moderation.
