Regular trips to the salon to polish up your gray hair can get expensive fast, and at-home color-lifting products require time and upkeep. Plus, neither option is that healthy for your hair. The good news: If you're looking for a more natural way to brighten gray hair, lift dark or yellow tones and maintain healthy locks, our three options below may be the answer. Plus, these color-boosting tricks ensure silver strands look youthful and healthy — without frying your strands.
Mildly abrasive baking soda lifts unwanted pigment from pollutants and products that can make the gray hair look dull and dingy. However, it's important not to use too much: Baking soda has a pH of 9, which is much higher than that of the scalp and of hair (both of which range between 3.6 and 5.5). As a result, a high concentration will be too abrasive and can cause damage. To do: Mix ¼ cup of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of water. Rub on damp hair for 1 minute. Let sit 10 minutes, then rinse.
To soften wiry grays, whip up a coconut milk and honey mask.
Healthy hair is more resilient when it comes to lightening treatments, so in order to brighten gray hair successfully, it's important to replenish the typically coarse strands with much-needed moisture. To the rescue, a coconut milk and honey hair mask. Why it works: Coconut milk’s fatty acids deeply moisturize strands, while humectant honey further conditions them. To do, mix ½ cup of coconut milk and 2 tablespoons of honey. Apply all over damp hair. Let sit 15 minutes, then rinse.
To boost shine, choose a chamomile tea rinse.
Chamomile tea's bisabolol, an active ingredient with anti-inflammatory qualities, helps to lighten and brighten gray tones for luminous color and shine. To do: Steep 3 chamomile tea bags in 2 cups of boiling water; let cool, then pour onto damp hair. Let sit 10 minutes, then rinse. (Notice that this isn't strong enough? Add a ¼cup of apple cider vinegar and a squeeze of lemon juice.)
How To Preserve Your Hair Strength and Color
As hair gets older, it becomes prone to thinning and breakage. Fortunately, pampering your locks every time you wash them is an excellent way of restoring that thickness and strength. Mimi Lu, hair expert and VP of product development at Amyris, recommends moisturizing as much as possible.
"When hair begins to turn gray, it often becomes thicker and more coarse," Lu explains. "This is a natural part of the process, as the body reduces melanin production, and the hair follicles produce less sebum. Sebum is a natural oil that hydrates our hair, so with a reduced amount available, gray hair can seem coarser, drier and duller and is more susceptible to breakage than pigmented hair." As such, Lu recommends products that contain Hemi15.
"Hemisqualane, or Hemi15, is a biotech ingredient derived from sugarcane and used as a lighter version of squalane. At half the molecular weight, Hemi15 is more easily absorbed into the hair shaft and more versatile when combined with other ingredients. Its lightweight texture provides a 'dry oil feel' that is easy to apply and spread throughout the hair. In fact, scientific studies have shown that Hemi15 can help reduce damage to the hair surface and cortex while providing weightless moisture. In addition, unlike silicones, Hemi15 does not coat the hair shaft or impede the penetration of other moisturizing ingredients. Therefore, it is an effective and versatile ingredient for addressing the unique needs of gray hair." As such, Lu recommends 4U By Tia — a gentle hair care system that contains Hemi15 in every product.
Woman's World aims to feature only the best products and services. We update when possible, but deals expire and prices can change. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission. Questions? Reach us atshop@womansworld.com.
A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, Woman's World.
Chamomile tea's bisabolol, an active ingredient with anti-inflammatory qualities, helps to lighten and brighten gray tones for luminous color and shine.
This is why baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) has been incorporated into beauty routines due to its alkalinity with a high pH level. The substance works by lightening gray hair but should only ever be used cautiously as it also affects moisture retention capacity making it brittle.
Hydrogen peroxide is a natural oxidant; we produce an enzyme called catalase that breaks down hydrogen peroxide turning it into water and oxygen. As catalase function decreases, the levels of hydrogen peroxide increase. High levels of hydrogen peroxide block the production of pigment, leading to gray hair.
Apple cider vinegar not only lightens hair color to diminish brassy tones but also acts as a natural cleanser, removing product buildup and hard water residues. You can make an apple cider vinegar hair rinse for gray hair at home. Mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with one cup of water.
A: While there is no conclusive evidence that Vitamin B12 can reverse grey hair, it may help prevent premature greying by supporting overall hair health. Adequate levels of Vitamin B12 contribute to healthy hair growth and may help maintain hair color.
Mildly abrasive baking soda lifts unwanted pigment from pollutants and products that can make the gray hair look dull and dingy. However, it's important not to use too much: Baking soda has a pH of 9, which is much higher than that of the scalp and of hair (both of which range between 3.6 and 5.5).
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a natural substance that neutralizes acids and bases. When used in your toilet tank, it eliminates odors by balancing the pH level. In addition, its mild abrasive nature helps scrub away stains without damaging the tank's surface.
Use two teaspoons of baking soda to two teaspoons of shampoo for long hair. Mix and coat your hair gently from root to tips, leave on hair for around 3 minutes and then rinse thoroughly, you can shampoo again if you feel you want to get all the baking soda out, and then do the QSH mask.
Hence, one of the potential ways to turn grey hair back to black is by taking nutritional supplements. Some of the supplements that are said to help include biotin, vitamin B12, copper, and zinc. These may help increase melanin production and slow down the greying process.
"While the acids in ACV can slough the dead top layer of skin, true wrinkles are deeper than the superficial epidermis, and ACV alone won't eliminate them," says Gabriel. Skin tags are noncancerous growths of flesh that protrude from the skin.
There isn't a lot of medical data to back it up, but some research does show that magnesium deficiency may be behind some (not all) causes of gray hair. If this is the cause of your greying, then making sure your magnesium stores are optimal could stop or even reverse the greying of your hair.
Bananas are a cheap, healthy, and nutrient-dense fruit that can easily become a part of every individual's diet. It is one of the best fruits rich in vitamin B12. Bananas also contain fibre and potassium. It helps manage blood pressure, reduce stress, and relieve constipation and ulcer problems.
Foods that may increase melanin in hair include antioxidant-rich foods like berries, nuts, beans, citrus fruits, and leafy greens. Eating foods high in copper, such as crab meat, almonds, lentils, peanuts, and beef liver, may also support melanin production in hair.
Baking soda can also lighten hair that isn't dyed, but not when it's used by itself. To lighten nondyed hair, you have to use baking soda as a base with hydrogen peroxide. This is a bleaching agent that lightens hair.
So gray hair is not as light reflective as dark hair. But here's a hack to boost its shine, use serum! Serum helps to seal the cuticle of your hair down, making it easier for light to reflect off of the grays. For extra shine in your gray hair, use a hair serum made for blonde, gray, white, and silver hair.
If you are a natural brunette, you'll want to blend your greys with darker lowlights. For natural blondes, you should add highlights and lowlights ranging from pearl to medium blonde. And if you are a natural redhead, a range of brown and blonde highlights and lowlights will enhance your grey locks best.
If the cause of greying is genetic, it is not possible to reverse the process, no matter what some marketers on the internet claim. In case of nutritional deficiencies and underlying medical conditions, you can gradually slow down or even reverse the process.
Address: Suite 237 56046 Walsh Coves, West Enid, VT 46557
Phone: +59115435987187
Job: Education Supervisor
Hobby: Genealogy, Stone skipping, Skydiving, Nordic skating, Couponing, Coloring, Gardening
Introduction: My name is Ms. Lucile Johns, I am a successful, friendly, friendly, homely, adventurous, handsome, delightful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
