It’s inevitable. Grey hair is a part of your future if you aren’t dealing with it already. Many people find their first grey hairs by the time they’re 30 if not sooner. In most cases, men have more grey hair than women. From the very early stages of life, we’re all using shampoo and conditioner without giving it a second thought.

There are always new products coming out for different types of hair. For example, if you have colored hair, you’ll need a specific shampoo and conditioner to prevent your hair color from fading.

I don’t want to jinx it, but I haven’t grown any grey hair yet. My older sister had her first grey hair at 23 and now she has a lot more. I’m now 26 and nothing. I know the time will come soon, but until then, I’m just enjoying this time. Whenever that first grey hair shows up, I will welcome it with open arms.

Have you ever heard the saying that if you pluck one grey hair, three will grow back in its place? Well, if you’re embracing your grey strands or have dyed them grey, you’ll want to keep reading to make sure the hue stays bright instead of dull and flat. 

Why Does Hair Go Grey?

Embrace your grey hair.

The color of our hair is determined by these cells called melanocytes. While in utero, these cells move into the hair bulb just as the hair follicles of forming. The melanocytes create pigment in a wide array of natural shades. There are two groups of hair shades, eumelanin, and pheomelanin. Eumelanins are black and brown pigments while pheomelanin are red and yellow pigments.

The color of your hair, and whether it goes grey, depends on how these two groups interact. When pigment production shuts down, it never turns back on. This is because, at the end of each hair cycle, some melanocytes die from the damage. 

Genetic factors play a large role in determining when you go grey. Twins will actually begin to go grey at around the same time, but siblings may not. The exact gene has yet to be identified. There is no scientific connection between stress, lifestyle, and diet for going grey, but my sister swears she got her first grey hair planning her wedding.

There are certain autoimmune diseases that can cause early greying like vitiligo and alopecia areata. This only explains a small percentage of going grey though. Premature greying also occurs in people with Down syndrome, thyroid disease, and pernicious anemia. 

What Kind Of Shampoo Should Be Used On Grey Hair?

Woman washing her hair.

Letting your hair go grey naturally has become much more popular in the past five years. It’s because of this that many companies are creating products targeted for the grey-haired community. It shows that companies are aware of what their client needs but on the other hand there are so many options to choose from, it’s hard to pick the right one. Just like you need a different shampoo and conditioner for colored hair, you’ll need special products for your natural grey. 

Grey hair needs a different type of product because when the grey hair grows in, it isn’t just the color that’s different. The texture of the hair is also affected. Letting your hair go grey naturally will most likely mean that it lacks luster and looks dull. If you want your hair to look vibrant and healthy as you get older, you need to choose the right products to nourish it.

You want a shampoo that helps moisturize while also giving it volume and support. Not all products for grey hair are created equally, but if you follow a grey hair regimen, you’re well on your way to ensuring that your grey hair is thriving.

Best Shampoo For Grey Hair: Top 3 

1. Jhimrack Silver Ageless Shampoo Review

If you have grey hair, (or should we say silver hair?), then you’ll love Jhimrack Silver Ageless shampoo. Its main components are macadamia nut oil, CoQ10, and Green Tea Extract. Macadamia nut oil is packed with benefits for your hair.

The oil is made by being cold pressed from the nuts that are most commonly found in Hawaii. The nut falls from the tree and is then husked. It’s a very light oil that easily absorbs into the skin and hair shaft. It contains copper, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and calcium. It also has a ton of fatty acids. All of these things make it perfect for your hair and skin. 

Macadamia nut oil prevents the loss of moisture in your scalp because of its antioxidant called squalene. The fatty acids help strengthen, nourish, and add shine. This helps prevent hair loss and brittle strands. The oil also prevents dullness. These are all characteristics that a shampoo for grey hair especially needs. This shampoo also contains Coenzyme Q10 which supports blood vessels.

This is necessary because most female hair loss happens because of lack of circulation to the hair follicle. Therefore, this ingredient is very important. Green tea is also in Jhimrack Silver Ageless shampoo. The Green tea extract helps hair roots and hair follicles grow since it’s packed with polyphenols. 

2. L’oreal Serie Expert Magnesium Silver Shampoo Review

This is advertised as a neutralizing shampoo for grey and white hair. You may be wondering what that means. Well, let me tell you. It means that this shampoo counters yellow and brassy tones while boosting shine. It’s also great for highlighted or lightened blonde hair. It’s enriched with magnesium. Magnesium is a natural mineral found in your body. It’s a part of more than three hundred enzyme systems.

Magnesium is crucial for your body to function normally. It also is beneficial for your hair and scalp, which is why it’s added to this shampoo. 

It has two important functions. Preventing calcium buildup and protein synthesis. When calcium clogs your hair follicles, your scalp will end up being flaky and dry. It may even cause hair loss. Scalp inflammation can cause more and more calcium deposits over time. The magnesium fights the calcium buildup by improving the circulation and making sure the calcium gets to your bones.

The improved circulation is also important for all the other nutrients that are trying to get to your follicles. Magnesium also helps with protein synthesis. Hair follicles are mostly made up of protein which is why this is crucial. Having a better protein synthesis means better and healthier hair. It will also help to normalize the growing and resting stages of your hair.

The synthesizing of protein helps create melanin and this prevents hair from going grey. 

3. Clairol Shimmer Lights Shampoo Review

It’s great for all hair types and has a protein enriched formula.

This shampoo is meant to remove the dull yellow strands in grey or white hair. Clairol Shimmer Lights helps tone down the brassiness and turn your grey hair into silver hair. It’s great for all hair types and has a protein enriched formula. It’s a purple shampoo and if you don’t know what that means then you’re missing out. Purple shampoo is meant for light colored hair including grey hair.

It works because the color purple is across from yellow on the color wheel and therefore they cancel each other out. If there’s brassiness in your hair, the brassiness will fade when you apply purple to it. The purple neutralizes any warm shades. If you have dull grey hair, purple shampoo will be perfect for you because it will brighten every strand. 

The Clairol Shimmer Lights shampoo also contains sulfates. This is disappointing because while sulfates clean well, they’ll only cause more drying to your hair and scalp. Sulfates just help create a rich lather, but other than that, they aren’t necessary. Many of the replacements for sulfates aren’t that much better, which is why it’s important to do your research. It’s better for you to choose a product with naturally-sourced surfactants (natural sulfates) in addition to oil for extra added moisture.

Can Grey Hair Be Prevented Naturally?

Grey hair comes at an old age, but what if it shows up earlier? Hair turns grey when it loses pigment but then turns white when there’s no pigment left. It can be caused by a deficiency in melanin, genetics, hormones, stress, medical conditions, and chemicals.

Whichever way you slice and dice it, it’s not the most exciting moment in someone’s life. Especially when it just shows up in random spots. Since the exact cause for premature grey hair is unknown, it’s hard to pinpoint a way to prevent it, but we sure can try! Grey hair can be prevented naturally.

If genetics is the main cause, then there’s unfortunately not much you can do. If it’s been caused by a health problem, fixing that health problem may be able to get your hair back to normal. Hormone therapy is also another option for re-pigmentation, but I’m more for the natural route. Therefore, it’s better for you to try to prevent your hair from going grey then trying to reverse the grey.

There are some natural ways to reduce greying. You can increase your intake of vitamin B12. Your hair could quickly be going grey and white because you’re lacking this vitamin. A deficiency in B12 causes pernicious anemia. If you remember, I mentioned earlier that this is one of the causes of premature greying. Adjust your diet, so you can get enough of the vitamin. 

Conclusion

You may still be wondering if your grey or white hair will ever be black again? In some cases, yes. But if it was caused by genetics or old age, it’s not going to happen for you. It is, however, possible to slow down the process by having a good hair regime and a well-balanced diet.

Each will take time, but they should work. It’s completely normal for your hair to go grey and then white. You can either embrace all the glory or dye it. Either way, you’re doing what’s best for you. The most important thing is your health and happiness. 

Keep in mind that grey hair can be just as alluring as any other color. Haven’t you ever heard of a “silver fox” or “silver vixen”? Yeah, exactly! Silver hair isn’t a bad thing. I haven’t decided what I’m going to do with my hair as I age, but I don’t see myself dying my hair.

I see what my grandmother has to do to keep her hair black, and she always needs her roots touched up, and no one’s got time for that. I’ll repeat. Do whatever works for you and makes you happy, but at least now you know the ways to postpone the grey.