Graying hair showing up is one thing, but when it’s cousins Mr. Frizz and Lady Dry decide to join the party, we’ve got a serious problem. There certainly are worse things, but a bad hair day, or a month straight of them, can be enough to make you want to throw in the towel and consider your beautiful locks gone forever. But believe it or not, just a few small changes in your hair care routine can make a huge difference. Maybe even enough that your graying hair will become your favorite feature.
1. Get enough vitamins and minerals
Getting the right nutrients in your diet can be tough, but nutrition is one of the main cornerstones of hair care. Vitamin A for growth, B vitamins and magnesium for follicle health, vitamin C to fight free radicals, iron and zinc for shine, and the list goes on. Balancing your diet to get ample amounts of the vitamins needed can be tricky, but taking a daily multi-vitamin, like Better Not Younger’s which are specially fortified to help with graying hair, checks at least one “to-do” off your list.
2. Tone down the heat
Heat plays a role in every step of hair care, from how hot your shower water is, to using heat styling tools. Too much heat can actually cause the moisture in hair to evaporate, leaving your strands dry and causing the dreaded frizz. Try taking showers with warm water instead of hot, towel or air drying your hair, and using alternative styling methods.
3. The right tools for the job
If you just can’t give up your blow dryer and curling iron – no judgement – there are still ways to help your strands stand up to the heat. Try incorporating heat protection creams or sprays, which form a barrier between your hair’s natural moisture and the heat being applied, and also work double time to prevent frizz. Investing in qualify tools and using a lower temperature setting will also help, especially on finer hair.
4. Protect from harmful UV rays
While we all love the warmth and happiness brought on by the sun’s rays, it can wreak havoc on your hair by discoloring it and causing damage to the cuticle, resulting in dry, brittle strands. Spraying your hair and scalp with a UV protectant before sun exposure, or simply accessorizing with a hat will prevent these unwanted effects.
5. Choosing the right products
Not all shampoos are created the same, and the same goes for styling products. Over time, the sulfates found in most shampoos will strip the nutrients from your hair and cause serious damage. On the other hand, products that contain glycerin, aloe, or natural oils like avocado, coconut, and jojoba oil will do the exact opposite, by drenching your strands in moisture and leave your hair feeling rich and silky smooth.
6. Wash less often
Along with using the right products for your hair type, frequency of washing should also be factored into the equation. While washing your hair may be necessary, over washing will quickly strip the nutrients you’ve worked so hard to build. Now, how often you should be washing depends largely on your hair/ scalp type. If your hair is extremely dry or you have dry, flaking skin on your scalp, try washing once per week and go from there. Whereas if you have finer, more oily hair, you’ll want to start with every other day and adjust accordingly.
7. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
By far one of the most important things you can do for your dry and/or frizzy hair is to give it the hydration it’s so desperately craving. A weekly or bi-monthly deep conditioning hair mask will lock in moisture and fight away the dryness that causes frizz. Alternatively, you can try a leave in conditioner, which will do the same to prevent the cuticle from drying out after washing. Frequency of this is along the same lines of washing: for dryer hair, use more often, and for more oily hair, use less often.
8. Scalp care
Often overlooked, but not to be forgotten is your scalp, as an unhealthy scalp might just be what is causing your hair to go haywire. Buildup from free radicals can negatively affect your cuticles and cause overly dry and damaged hair. Start with cleansing your scalp with antioxidants, like this charcoal cleanser from Better Not Younger, and then nourish it with a scalp specific serum like this one. This combination will clear out that unwanted accrual and replenish nutrients for a head full of beautiful, hydrated, gray hair.
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