Coexist with Gray Hair Through Highlights

Why do we get gray hair?

The reason for shiny, black hair depends on the melanin within the hair. Like skin, hair follicles age over time. When the melanocytes in the follicles gradually decrease or stop producing, new hair turns from black to white. Similarly, bleaching changes hair color from black to light by removing the melanin from the strands.

Effects of dyeing gray hair black

Dyeing gray hair black or dark can easily cause pigment buildup, leading to color retention issues. This affects future dyeing, limiting your options to only black. Although black dye does not fade easily, it lacks chroma, so once the color fades, the hair loses its glossy black shine and appears dull. Additionally, B.one states, "When new gray hair grows, it is difficult to blend with black hair," making the presence of gray hair more noticeable against black hair. Even a small amount of new gray growth stands out, necessitating frequent touch-ups.

Advantages of highlighting gray hair

Suitable colors for dyeing gray hair

A warm brown at level 5 is a safe range for covering gray hair, as it avoids the issue of stark black-and-white contrast when new gray hair grows. This is a basic concept, but a more advanced approach requires evaluating the amount of gray hair and the client's skin tone. Professional hairstylist B.one also considers whether the client wears makeup and their overall facial features. "The lighter the hair color, the more vibrant the face needs to look, so I take this into serious consideration," B.one explains.

1.Assessment based on the proportion of gray Hair

For gray hair comprising less than 30%, where black hair is dominant, you can choose trendy colors with medium to low brightness.

For gray hair comprising 30-70%, you can try to blend the gray hair naturally with the rest of your hair color. Stripe highlights for gray hair would be suitable. If your original hair color is darker, you can opt for medium to high brightness colors for the highlights, such as light brown or gray.

For gray hair comprising more than 70%, where most of the hair is gray, it is recommended to choose very light fairy hair colors, such as platinum blonde or mint gray. This way, the new gray hair will not contrast sharply with the dyed hair color.

2.Assessment based on skin tone

B.one explains how she evaluates hair color choices based on skin tone, considering three types: fair skin, yellow skin, and dark skin.People with fair skin have an advantage when choosing hair colors, as they can easily pull off both cool and warm tones. For Asian individuals, who mostly have yellow skin, B.one recommends avoiding very warm hair colors, as they are too similar to the skin tone. Instead, she suggests trying cool brown tones.For those with dark skin and gray hair, it is more challenging. B.one suggests first removing the black pigment from the hair before evaluating suitable colors. The key is to choose a color that doesn't turn too warm when it fades, as this can make the hair look dirty.

Recommended hair colors to cover gray hair

1. Suitable for Yellow Skin: Cool Brown

How to care for highlighted gray hair?

How often should you go to the salon for touch-ups after regular hair dyeing or gray hair highlights?The most straightforward way to judge is: "Do you find your current hair color unattractive?" Whether it's root regrowth, faded color, or gray hair that's grown out to an unbearable extent, it's time to go back to the salon for a touch-up! Based on experience, B.one shares, "Gray hair highlights usually need touch-ups every 3-6 months, focusing on partial highlights." This not only reduces the stress on your hair from frequent dyeing but also helps maintain the hair color longer. If your hair color starts to fade before the touch-up cycle, you can use color-depositing shampoo to maintain the color. However, if you wait more than six months for a touch-up, you'll need to dye the entire head rather than just the roots.

Lastly, it's advised not to use foam hair dye at home to cover gray hair. Besides increasing the risk of color buildup, severe cases might cause hair breakage. For a safer and more efficient solution to gray hair issues, it's best to seek evaluation from a professional hairstylist.