February 22, 2024

Tips for Transitioning to Gray Hair

About Nicole Pajer

Nicole Pajer is a Los Angeles-based freelance published in The New York Times, Woman's Day, AARP, Parade, Wired, Glamour, People and more.

Been dyeing your hair for a long time? Feeling over it? Ready to embrace your natural color and rock some silvery locks? Then you’re ready to grow out your dye job and welcome in the gray. “Embracing your natural gray can be a liberating and stylish choice,” says Terri Rehkopf, owner and founder of Ippodaro Natural Salon. “With the right approach, the transition can be as smooth and graceful as the silver strands themselves.” Here are some tips on how to go gray with ease.

Try a gradual shift

You don’t have to go gray cold turkey. If you want to take a more gradual approach, you can start by heading into the salon for some lighter highlights. “Initially, you might opt for about 12 foils, focusing on the crown and front sections of your hair,” says Rehkopf. This initial step, she says, allows you to gradually get accustomed to a lighter hair color, which will be a change from what you're used to and probably won’t be such a shock.

Over a period of around six months, your stylist can strategically place these foils in different areas, particularly where your hair is darkest. “This technique gradually lightens the base color of your hair,” says Rehkopf. As your hair lightens, you'll likely start to notice that the gray roots blend more seamlessly, reducing the appearance of new growth. “Once your hair reaches a significantly lighter shade, the next phase involves highlighting all of your hair using permanent color,” adds Rehkopf. “This creates dimension and begins to match the emerging natural gray.”

Opting for this method, says Rehkopf, represents the healthiest and least harmful approach to removing hair color for many people. Choosing a gradual and measured process will help to ensure that your hair remains smooth and maintains its overall health.

Go cold turkey

You can also dive right into embracing your gray hair, replacing whatever color you are currently wearing with the natural silvery strands that are underneath. For this, you’d head into the salon where they’d dye your hair to match your roots as they continue to grow out. Eventually, with enough haircuts, the dyed hair will grow out and your natural gray underneath will shine through, replacing it. “If you’re seeking a gray transformation from a salon professional, you’ll need to grow your roots out at least an inch or more so the stylist can see (and ideally mimic) your natural gray color pattern,” says Megan Steinberg, master cosmetologist at Alter'D Salon and Spa. Be aware that a color service like this is often considered a “color correction” and will likely carry a per-hour rate. It’s a one-time appointment, however, as you won’t need to dye your hair anymore once you have grown out your own underlying color.

Gradually extend your time between hair appointments

In her experience, Rehkpof has found that over the course of a year, women tend to become more comfortable with their natural gray and begin to extend the time between salon visits, often to every 8-12 weeks. Once the hair has fully transitioned to gray, she recommends considering a fresh, chic, or edgy haircut. “A well-chosen style can add a youthful, fun flair, or provide an elegant and easy-to-maintain look,” she says. This can make you feel like your very best self and can help you to feel more vibrant and pretty.

Use the right products

When purchasing hair products, make sure you are paying attention to what type of hair they are recommended for. Gray hair may change in texture and can therefore require different shampoos, conditioners, and styling products that other types of color treated hair. “Utilizing moisturizing and color-balancing shampoos and conditioners, specifically formulated for gray hair, is essential to preserve its luster and health,” says Steinberg.

Keep up with salon visits.

To help your hair continue looking its best, try not to skimp on salon appointments. “Keeping hair well-trimmed not only maintains a healthy look but also helps in gradually removing the older colored ends,” explains Steinberg. If your gray hair will have a different texture than your hair did before and feels coarse or wiry, you can opt for a keratin treatment to help smooth the hair. This can give it extra strength and shine and make styling the hair a bit easier. “These treatments last an average of 3 months on the hair, but each client is unique in how long their hair will retain the benefits of keratin,” says Steinberg.

The good news about this process is that however you make the transition, you only have to do it once. Then think of all the time you’ll save by not having to even think about dyeing your hair ever again. And silver hair can be so regal. Just look at Helen Mirren and Meryl Streep!