5 Things I Wish I knew Before Going Gray

We all remember finding that first gray hair. For some, it was probably a moment of panic, while others embraced those well-earned gray hairs. Most people, however, opt to start dying their hair if they weren’t already.

But what if you decide you want to go all-natural and let your gray hair shine through? If you’ve been dying your hair for years, it can be a terrifying thought to transition and settle into your natural hair.

One YouTuber, Cat, is six months into her journey of going gray. She shares 5 things she wished she knew before starting the process. If you’re considering ditching the dye and going gray, this is the article for you!

1. Gray Hair Is Not Mantainence-Free

Fun fact: Gray hair can turn yellow. Yeah, crazy, right? The sun can turn your gray hair yellow, as well as heat products and even product build-up. The solution? First, hydrate more! Not only will this help protect your hair, but it will help it grow. Since Gray hair is coarser than non-gray hair, it needs more hydration to stay healthy. There are also lots of products available to support gray hair growth and health, so it’s worth checking out the hair product aisle next time you’re at the store!

2. Knowing Your Gray Pattern

If you’ve been dying your hair for a long time, you probably haven’t truly seen your gray hair except when your roots need a touch-up. You might be surprised at what your natural hair looks like underneath all that color. Chances are, you’re hair isn’t completely gray or white. It probably has a mix of regular color, dark gray, light gray, and lots of shades in between.

Cat suggests using a touch-up spray for your roots and letting your hair grow out for 2-3 months so you can see the pattern for yourself. She ended up loving her gray pattern, which made her excited about the rest of the journey to all-natural hair!

3. The Dye Strip Technique

The dye strip technique is a great way to secretly go gray. A lot of people are concerned about the harsh line between their colored hair and their gray hair. This is especially true if you work in a professional setting.

With the dye strip technique, you basically keep the very top layer of your dyed to match your color, then let the gray hair grow out underneath. Typically, it takes about two years to grow out your hair, depending on how long your hair is, of course. When you’re satisfied with how much gray you have, simply switch your part to reveal your gorgeous gray hair! The dyed part of your hair on top will grow out just like the rest.

Get the rest of the tips in the video below!