Allowing nature to take its course isn’t always as easy as it sounds, especially when the end result is a head full of gray hair.
Gray hair results from a loss of pigment, commonly known as melanin. The two types of pigments: dark (eumelanin) and light (phaeomelanin) blend together to make up the wide range of hair colors that begin to form even before we’re born.
Fortunately, for many “mature” women, access to products and information geared specifically toward caring for and maintaining gray hair, has opened the door to a number of new style options.
Today’s gray-haired lady isn’t the matronly figure we may be accustomed to in our mind’s eye. Instead, she’s vivacious, spunky and proud to flaunt rather than hide those grays.
To take a spin on a popular saying: 40, 50 and maybe even 60 is the new 30 and the rules of color have changed. And, for the women who opt to let Mother Nature have her way, the choice can be a very personal one.
“I was determined to do and spend whatever it took to fight the grays to the death,” said Stacy Pierce, a 40-something professional photographer based in Orlando, Florida. “Eventually, I decided, no more, and learned to embrace the uniqueness of my gray hair.”
But, make no mistake, she said. Going gray does not equate to being maintenance-free. Generally speaking, gray hair remains just as strong as hair that has retained its color. The big difference is that there are fewer lubricants in the hair shaft. This occurs naturally as oil-producing cells in the hair follicle begin to decrease with time. The result is hair that can feel brittle to the touch and can break easier as a result of normal combing and brushing.
“The texture of my gray hair is completely different from hair that has retained its pigment,” said Stacy. “Gray hair is unruly, dry and simply doesn’t respond to product the same way.”
To keep her gray locks looking shiny and bright, Stacy deep conditions her hair more often and uses a leave-in on a regular basis. Additionally, she uses coconut oil in conjunction with a clarifying and moisturizing shampoo and conditioner made specifically for gray hair, as a “tried and true” remedy to help lock in extra moisture.
Quin Brewington has been a natural hair enthusiast for nearly 20 years and recently launched her own blog, SisterLadyGirl.com aimed at helping women in their 40s and beyond navigate this thing called life with style and grace