It happens to everyone at some point, but people can respond very differently when their first grey hairs appear. Whereas as some immediately start to dye their hair, others just accept it.
But why does hair turn grey in the first place? “Grey hair is a degeneration process,” says hair and nail specialist Anton Lutz. The process typically starts between the ages of 30 and 40.
As we grow older, the pigment cells in our hair follicles gradually start to die. When fewer colour cells are present in a strand of hair, it will appear a lighter or greyer colour.
Genetic factors can also play a role. Some people start to get grey hairs before they have even turned 20. On the other hand, some 80-year-olds can still have dense and dark hair. “These are, however, genetic exceptions,” says Lutz. Infections, certain drugs and rare diseases can also cause hair to turn grey, although there has not been enough research into why this happens.
Women turn grey just as often as men, but the perception is often different. While men with greying temples are often regarded as attractive, women are more likely to dye their hair, either themselves or by going to a professional.
Hairdresser Jens Dagne knows all the tricks for dealing with grey hair. Depending on the condition of the hair, he recommends three options:
Enhancement: A gentle colour conditioner gives naturally dull grey hair an attractive shimmer and neutralizes possible yellow tinges.
Concealing: An intensive tint to conceal the first grey hairs. The lack of ammonia and hydrogen peroxide makes this method particularly gentle, but it only lasts up to 15 hair washes.
Permanent colour: An intensive tint or permanent colour can completely cover all grey hair – until it grows back, of course.
“The older the customer, the lighter the shade should be. Softer shades act like a soft focus for the skin,” says the expert from the Intercoiffure Mondial hairdressing association. – dpa
