Q: What happens when you stop dyeing your hair?

Many of us find that ditching the dye benefits our hair health . The new (undyed) growth is often thicker, shinier, and smoother than the dyed hair. So that myth about gray hair being wiry or coarser than dyed hair that we've all heard? It's only true for some people, not all .

Q: How do I know if gray hair will suit me?

Despite what your hairstylist or friends might tell you, you absolutely cannot predict what your gray hair will look like until almost all of the dye is cut off . That dye reflects off the transparent ("gray") hair and muddles your perception of the color. Here is a picture of my hair at 5 months vs. fully grown out to illustrate the point: If you grow out your gray hair and you find that it does not suit you, you can always go back to dyeing. But Mother Nature generally gives you the best hair shade to suit your skin tone. Read: Help, I Hate My Gray Hair! and Gray Hair Before & After

Question 1

What is the least painful way to go gray?

Accepted Answer

This really depends on your personality - if it would upset you to go gray overnight, then the cold turkey method might be the best for you as it takes a while to grow out your gray and that gives you time to get used to the idea of no longer being a blonde/brunette/redhead.

If, on the other hand, you want to go gray in one fell swoop, buzzing off all your dye is the quickest way to go.

If you don't want to cut your hair short, don't want a demarcation line (aka "skunk stripe"), and don't want to risk damage to your hair via bleaching/blending, the dye strip technique is the perfect solution for you.

Question 2

What is the most expensive way to go gray?

Accepted Answer

Salon transitions to gray hair can be very expensive depending on the condition of your hair, the color of your dyed hair, the expertise of your hairdresser, and the amount of upkeep necessary.

If you decide to go this route, it's best to find an experienced hairdresser to avoid damaging your hair. Check out my salon directory for preferred stylists, and watch this video for expert advice.

Question 3

What is the best way to go gray from dark brunette hair?

Accepted Answer

Dark brunette hair is tricky - salon transitions generally involve some degree of bleaching to remove the dark dye. Depending on the condition of your hair, this could result in damaged, broken hair.

Many women with dark brunette dye choose to grow out their gray hair cold turkey, cut out the dye, or use the dye strip technique to disguise their grow-out.

Another option is to use wigs and let your gray hair grow out cold turkey underneath a wig.

If none of those options appeal to you, and your hair is relatively healthy, find a salon that is experienced in doing gray hair transitions. You can find gray-friendly salons in my directory, and check out this facebook page for inspiration.

Question 4

Can't I just dye my hair gray and skip the whole transition?

Accepted Answer

This could be an option if your hair is naturally very light-colored already (pale blonde is best).

But if your hair is dark brunette, you will have to bleach it to a pale blonde before dyeing it gray, and that bleach can damage your hair. Are you willing to take that risk?

Question 5

How long does it take to grow out your gray hair?

Accepted Answer

That depends on what length you want to keep your hair during the grow-out. If you shave (buzz) all your dyed hair off, it would take you just minutes to achieve naturally gray hair.

If you cut your hair into a pixie cut, the average length of time to grow out your gray roots is 3-6 months.

If you want to keep your hair shoulder-length or longer, it can take about 2-3 years depending on the rate of hair growth. My hair grows faster than average (average is 1/2" per month; my hair grows 3/4" a month) and it took me 2 1/2 years to grow out my roots to shoulder-length.

You can check out my cold turkey transition story to see progress photos. (I need to update that post, however, as still had a wee bit of dye left on the ends at that point.)

Question 6

What happens when you stop dyeing your hair?

Accepted Answer

Many of us find that ditching the dye benefits our hair health. The new (undyed) growth is often thicker, shinier, and smoother than the dyed hair.

So that myth about gray hair being wiry or coarser than dyed hair that we've all heard? It's only true for some people, not all.

Question 7

At what age should you stop dyeing your hair and let it go gray?

Accepted Answer

This is entirely up to you. Remember, gray is just another shade of hair color, not a marker of advanced age. Some people start graying as early as age 5. Others are fully gray in their 20s. Some people never go naturally gray.

There are many advantages to going gray, including healthier hair, fewer toxic chemicals being dumped on your head and in the environment, and more time and money to do the things you enjoy.

If you are afraid that you will look older with gray hair, check over this list of tips on How Not to Look Old with Gray Hair and also get some inspiration by looking at these before and after photos of women who went gray.

Question 8

How do I know if gray hair will suit me?

Accepted Answer

Despite what your hairstylist or friends might tell you, you absolutely cannot predict what your gray hair will look like until almost all of the dye is cut off. That dye reflects off the transparent ("gray") hair and muddles your perception of the color.

Here is a picture of my hair at 5 months vs. fully grown out to illustrate the point:

If you grow out your gray hair and you find that it does not suit you, you can always go back to dyeing. But Mother Nature generally gives you the best hair shade to suit your skin tone.

Read: Help, I Hate My Gray Hair! and Gray Hair Before & After

Question 9

Will switching from permanent to semi-permanent dye make my transition to gray easier?

Accepted Answer

Switching to semi-permanent dye a few months before you ditch dye completely may result in a softer demarcation line. You can also touch up your roots with a lighter color every month to really help soften that line before you give up the dye completely.

For more information on how different hair dyes affect your hair, check out Joli Campbell's Ultimate Guide to Hair Dyes.

Question 10

How can I go gray gracefully?

Accepted Answer

If by "gracefully", you mean "subtly", then either a professional salon transition or the dye strip technique would be perfect for you. Salon transitions work best for women who have healthy, light-colored hair, while the dye-strip technique is best for women with dark brunette or damaged hair.

Another way to go gray gracefully is by using wigs to go gray. The best part about using wigs is that you don't have to use dye, so it's a great option for women who have hair dye allergies, but who also don't want to cut their hair short or go through the skunk strip phase.

cold turkey

How to Go Gray from Colored Hair

Philippa’s Buzzcut Transition from Red Hair to Silver

Why and How to Go Gray with Long Hair

Eva’s Striking Transition from Dark Brunette to White Hair

Why Debbi Transitioned to Gray Hair

Young and Grey in India: Anjana’s Silver Hair Transition Story

Silver Hair Transition Story: Karen Rich

Mireya’s Gorgeous Long Silver Hair Transition

My 10 Month Cold Turkey Gray Hair Transition Progress Report

My 8 Month Gray Hair Transition Update

Katie Goes Platinum

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