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Going gray to go green
Would you let your hair grow gray to avoid harmful chemicals? One woman has made that health-conscious beauty decision for 2011.
Tue, Jan 18 2011 at 1:53 PM
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Photo: Eric Jusino/Flickr
I’ve gotten the occasional, puzzling, single gray hair since elementary school — unceremoniously plucked out on discovery — but my mane has retained its black color, at least so far, and I'm in my early 30s. But many of my friends have started struggling with an age-old beauty question: To dye or not to dye?
At Salon.com, one woman tackles the question head on this week by telling her personal story about going gray — finally. Nelle Engoron reveals that for her, this decision to platinum-ize her 'do has been long in the making. “I started going gray in my 20s, and have been coloring my hair for a quarter of a century,” Engoron writes.
Why is she making the change now? Engoron cites some cosmetic reasons — like avoiding the “menopausal red” hairdo that doesn’t really flatter her skin tones. But she also points to environmental reasons as a big impetus behind her decision:
Yes, the research is mostly only suggestive that hair coloring products are bad for your health, but the fact is that they are full of nasty chemicals that I otherwise avoid putting into or onto my body. So how can I justify soaking my scalp with them every four weeks, year after year?
Here at MNN, we’ve often talked about the many harmful chemicals in hair products — and I for one applaud Engoron’s decision to forego the toxic stuff. That said, I did want to point out a third option Engoron doesn’t mention in her article — greener hair dyes. A new generation of green salons that offer safer color jobs have been popping up around the country in recent years, from Evolution in Venice, Calif., to Aviary in Atlanta.
Color treatments at those salons, however, can cost more than treatments at “conventional” salons that employ the cheaper, more dangerous stuff. And embracing your au naturale silver locks is undoubtedly greener — and cheaper — than opting for color treatments, whether done with green dyes or not.
I’m not sure what I’ll do once I start going gray — a time I hope is many, many, many decades away. But for MNN readers who’ve reached that silver time: How do you handle your hair? Do you color conventionally, opt for greener salons, or rock the platinum look?
The opinions expressed by MNN Bloggers and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of MNN.com. While we have reviewed their content to make sure it complies with our Terms and Conditions, MNN is not responsible for the accuracy of any of their information.
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I started going gray since 16 and went white in my late 30's after having Cancer and Chemo. I am now 53 and have yet to dye my hair. I think when I hit 80 I will still look the same as I do today which will be fine by me. I have has some people even think that I am younger than 53 since I have never worn makeup and have very good skin.
I started going grey at 22, and at 29 decided to stop plucking and let my greys grow. At 30 I now have more than a handful of glistening silver strands. I don't refuse to die my hair out of environmental concerns... more out of a belief that if grey is considered handsome on men, it should be considered equally attractive on women. Grey is beautiful!
I dyed my hair from 15 to 40 for fun and vanity but would have stopped 10 years earlier if hubby hadn't pressured me to keep at it. He thought I would look older. After I let it grow in, however, I actually look younger. The black dye on aging hair started to look too harsh and fake for my skin - despite it being my natural color. Still trying to decide what the best cut is, but I sure don't miss the coloring routine, and hideous roots.
I've been going gray since I was a teenager. Colored occasionally but never really recognized myself with colored hair. My biggest gripe is that few hair products are made for gray hair and it is difficult to find anyone who knows how to cut gray hair. I go in for a hair cut and the first question always is 'have you considered coloring your hair.' Now I'm moving from silver to snow and it suits me.
The later you go gray, the more gray you will have, and the worse it will look. The younger you are when you go gray (if you choose to go gray) the more "natural" it will look and it won't make you look as old. I am 53 and have quit dyeing my hair for 4 months now. It is a gutsy adventure to see how it will come in. If at the end you don't like it, then return to the bottle. I am doing this to become friends with myself and also to not add chemicals to my body that really is not needed.
After nearly 30 years of colorizing my once beautiful dark brown hair I have finally decided to go "au natural". I found that ,like my mother, I have beautiful white-not gray-hair. It is such a relief and I'm sure healthier to not submit to the every 5-6 week smelly process of coloring. I feel like I've taken a deep, cleansing breath!
I started getting gray streaks around my face in my late 20's, but have never wanted to color my hair. Strong chemical odors trigger asthma for me. I'm 50 now; a bit grayer, but still have a young face. I've avoided all those asthma attacks and my husband thinks I look great!
I stopped two years ago and work with many young people. What has astonished me is how many people have taken the time to compliment me on my hair. I of course, really never look at it once I comb in the morning. It still surprises me. Someone told me I was courageous - that is a bit much, It's just hair. I am 56, with a young Irish face,
Heh. I'm 52 years old and my hair is still platinum blonde (natural). So I haven't even considered coloring it. If there is any gray it would be hard to tell since my color is so light in the first place, so I am spared that choice for a few more years anyway, but I think I will just let it go white, if it ever decides to stop being blonde. I have more important things to spend my money on than hair dye.
I stopped coloring at age 45 partly for economic reasons, but also to avoid eventually having a "skunk streak" if I waited until I was completely gray to stop. I've received mostly positive feedback and will not go back to the bottle. The most important person I need to please is myself, and I'm rocking my new silver 'do!
I am 39 and dark-haired so platinum highlights are very visible. I am just not ready to look 10 years older because of my hair.
I color my hair about every 3-4 months and apply henna in between. Henna takes care of roots, preventing me from re-coloring too frequently and protects and conditions my hair like no other treatment can. Now I am brilliant red-head. My hair are like my signature item.
I'd love to do henna...just don't know how to do it correctly... any advise, or resources?
Google "hennaforhair".
Actually, I am one of the lucky ones. I was highlighting my hair for years and thought that the highlighting was lasting longer than normal. I finally realized that the "natural" gray was blending with the highlighting. I am totally natural now and no one seems to notice the highlighting is gray rather than blonde!! I love it, never any roots to cover up and no chemicals to harm my health!!
I just turned 50 years old and decided that was it - no more coloring my hair. I think you have to do what makes you feel good about yourself. If you want to keep coloring your hair - go for it and if you don't that's ok too!
I watched my sister-in-law go through the grow-out process to punish my brother when he lost his job (after he made a comment on the cost) and she looks like she is 76 instead of 56. I will dye my hair until I die to not look like an old woman.
Maybe your S-I-L looks 76 because she had the misfortune to marry into your family, not because of her gray hair.
I'm in my early to mid 20's and I'm finding gray hairs already. I would prefer not to dye my hair. HOWEVER, 90% of employers stated how a woman dressed dictated if they gave them a promotion over their male co-workers. Will having gray locks at some point keep my career from moving forward?
went completely gray in my mid 40's after dying for 15 yrs..it was such a mess and
hassle..glad i went gray...
I'm 34 years old, and while the hair on the top of my head is still dark and lustrous, my beard is beginning to get a little snowy as they years go by! Personally, I love it, my wife thinks it looks distinguished, and the best part is that I finally get credit from older people as an actual adult. I don't know if you count as an adult to some folks without a little gray showing through...
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