Covering gray hair: why should bald men have fun?

Life can sometimes be cruel. That was evident to me when I recently decided to grow a beard, only to find that about half were gray! I have been told that gray hair is a blessing, just ask a bald man. Unfortunately, I also suffer from thinning hair, and since what’s left of it is turning gray, that’s no consolation.

Gray hair is caused by a lack of pigmentation and melanin: hair color changes when melanin is no longer produced at the hair root and new hair without pigment grows. Although gray hair is typically associated with the aging process, it can also be the result of stress or prolonged illness. If you care about their appearance, you might even see the number go up!

The correct way to hide gray hair is by using permanent dye or color, a common method used by men and women alike. Unfortunately, there is a temptation among us to use a shade that is darker than our natural color. Keep in mind that most solutions color your hair evenly and evenly, and you will end up with a head that looks completely unnatural and obviously colored.

The trick is to use a color that is a shade or two lighter than your normal color. Here’s why: normal hair color looks natural because there are actually color variations in each strand. Easier said than done unless you plan on using foil or pulling your hair through a cap.

Gray hair, on the other hand, is not really gray at all, it is clear (remember I mentioned that it is caused by a lack of pigmentation). Gray only appears when light reflects off transparent threads. Therefore, to minimize the brightness of the gray, you should color only the area of ​​your head that is gray.

Fortunately, I discovered a secret way to specifically cover gray hair to make it look natural and retain color variations: hair enhancers (also known as concealers). Looks like guys with hair loss were on to something that guys with gray hair could use to their advantage.

Hair enhancers are semi-permanent, which means they wash out and allow for subtle color variations on the head, leaving you looking more natural. They are also much less harsh than permanent dye, a real bonus if you’re losing weight like I am!