How To Care For And Style Grey Hair

Whether you're new to greys or all-too-familiar, it can be challenging to know how to give your grey hair the TLC it deserves. Perhaps you’re ready to embrace your grey hair after years of dyeing it, or are in need of some tips for growing out your grey roots – from handy haircare tips to nifty styling tricks, we’ve got you covered. 

HAIRCARE TIPS FOR GREY HAIR: KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Hair turns grey when melanocytes, cells responsible for producing pigment, decrease their output as we age, resulting in less colour in our hair.
• Grey hair can have a range of textures, ranging from straight to curly, thin or thick, influenced by genetics and haircare practices.
• While there's no magical remedy to prevent or reverse grey hair, maintaining overall health through proper nutrition and stress management can slow down the greying process.
• Chronic stress can potentially accelerate the greying process, although it won't turn hair grey overnight as commonly believed.
• People with ginger or red hair can experience greying, although it might be less noticeable to start with.
• Caring for grey hair = Style at the perfect temperature for your hair, use grey-friendly products, hydrate and moisturise regularly, protect from sun damage, and avoid harsh chemicals.
• Tips for growing out grey hair = Be patient, accessorise, and experiment with different styles.

HOW TO CARE FOR GREY HAIR

Whether you’re going grey in your 20s, 60s, or somewhere in between, caring for your gorgeous silver hair can be simple and easy. From choosing the right products to mastering styling techniques, we’ve got the lowdown on the best way to care for your hair.

• Style your greys at the right temperature: Use our Temperature Calculator to work out the best heat setting for your grey hair. Grey hair often needs a lower temperature to keep it in tip-top condition, so you may be surprised to learn your hair’s ideal temperature is lower than you think.
• Choose a grey-specific shampoo and conditioner: When it comes to picking out your shampoo and conditioner, look for those specially designed to care for grey or silver hair.
• Use a purple shampoo: Treat yourself to a purple shampoo which may help banish yellow or dull tones to bring out the brilliance of your white or grey hair.
• Hydrate and moisturise: Grey hair craves hydration. That's where the CLOUD NINE Magical Remedy comes in. Treat your greys to a luxurious deep conditioning session once a week to keep your hair feeling silky smooth. Discover more tips and information about hair hydration.
• Protect your greys: Pop on a stylish hat or wrap your hair in a scarf when soaking up the sun. Use UV protection sprays and lotions as a sunscreen to keep your hair safe from the sun's harmful rays.
• Get regular trims: Keep your grey hair looking fresh and healthy by getting a regular trim every 6-8 weeks. This helps prevent split ends and breakage, keeping your hair looking sleek and polished.
• Care for your scalp: Don't forget about the foundation of your hair – your scalp. Keep it healthy and nourished by incorporating scalp massages into your routine to stimulate circulation and promote hair growth. You can also use scalp-friendly products to maintain a healthy pH balance and prevent dryness or irritation. Check out our easy-to-follow scalp care rituals.
• Keep a balanced diet: Fuel your hair from the inside out by maintaining a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients like vitamins A, C, and E, as well as omega-3 fatty acids and biotin. These nutrients support hair health and can help prevent dryness, brittleness, and premature greying. Discover more about nutrition and hair health.
• Avoid harsh chemicals: Be mindful of the products you use on your grey hair. For example, you might want to steer clear of those containing harsh chemicals like sulphates and parabens and instead choose gentle, natural or organic hair care products, which maintain the health and vibrancy of your silver hair.
• Use heated styling tools with innovative haircare technology: Taking care of your hair involves being gentle when styling too. All heated styling tools, from hair dryers to wands and straighteners, can cause damage to hair strands if the wrong heat is used. All CLOUD NINE tools come with Variable Temperature Control, meaning you can style your hair at the perfect temperature for your grey or greying hair. Our straighteners have Variable Temperature Control and mineral-infused plates which help the even distribution of heat, along with Spring Flex™ technology to cushion your hair as you style. Our Original Iron, Wide Iron, Slim Iron, and 2-in-1 Contouring Iron also come with our innovative Revive Mode™ which minimises heat contact, so you’re still taking care of your hair even when you style. Discover more styling tips for keeping your grey hair healthy.

UNDERSTANDING GREY HAIR: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What temperature should I use on my grey hair?

There’s no set temperature for every type of grey hair – your hair’s ideal temperature may be different to someone else’s. Your hair’s perfect heat setting depends on its texture (fine or coarse), type (straight, wavy, curly or kinky), or volume (thin or thick) as well as its colour. With the CLOUD NINE Temperature Calculator, you can discover the perfect heat setting for your hair. 

What causes hair to turn grey?

Grey hair occurs thanks to little pigment-making cells called melanocytes. As we age, these cells produce less pigment, which gives hair its colour. Less pigment means less colour, hence the grey or white strands popping up.

Can grey hair be different textures?

Grey hair can come in all sorts of textures and types, just like any other hair colour. Whether it's fine, coarse, straight, curly, or somewhere in between, grey hair can vary in texture and type, depending on genetics and how it's taken care of.

Can you stop hair from going grey? 

There’s no magic spell to stop or reverse grey hair (yet, anyway). But treating your hair and body right can slow down the greying process. Healthy eating, managing stress, and giving your hair some love can only be beneficial to your hair. Check out our guide to nourishing your hair from the inside out.

Does stress cause grey hair?

We've all heard the rumour that stress can turn your hair grey overnight, but it’s not as simple as that. That said, chronic stress can mess with your health in all sorts of ways – and that might include speeding up the greying process.

Does ginger or red hair go grey?

People with ginger or red hair can experience greying, although it may be less noticeable if the original colour is on the lighter side.

Does everyone get grey hair?

Grey hair is a bit like a rite of passage as we get older. Eventually, most of us will start spotting some grey hairs here and there. But how many grey hairs you get depends on lifestyle factors and genetics.

If my parents are grey, does this mean I will turn grey when I’m older?

While your parents' hair can give you a hint of what's to come, it's not set in stone. Other things such as lifestyle choices and environmental factors also influence the onset of grey hair.

Does going grey only happen to older women?

No, grey hair can start coming through at any age. Some people start seeing their first greys in their 20s, with others noticing grey hair coming through in their 30s. It’s very common for women in their 40s to notice grey hairs sprouting, especially as they enter the perimenopause, while some keep their natural non-grey colour well into their golden years. It all depends on your unique genetic makeup and how your body works.

Do older women with grey hair have to have a short hairstyle?

Absolutely not, there are no rules when it comes to your hair, especially not based on age or hair colour. Grey hair can look stunning in any length, whether it’s a chic pixie, a choppy bob, or shoulder length waves. Choose a style that makes you feel confident and beautiful. If you love your hair long, grow it out. If you prefer it short, go for the chop. The most important thing is that your hairstyle reflects your personality and makes you feel your best.

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