How to Add Color to Gray Hair Strands

Hide gray strands with the hair color of your choice.

Just because women get older does not mean that they have to let their gray hair poke through. Graying hair is the result of a common aging process that involves the loss of melanin in your hair follicles; however, you can dye your hair to conceal the gray. Before you reach for the kit, know that the process to dye gray hair is slightly different than it would be for younger, color-filled hair. Because of the lose of melanin, your hair cuticles are thicker and therefore need special attention.

Things You'll Need

• 20-percent peroxide solution
• Hair dye kit
• Old clothing
• Rubber gloves
• Small bowl
• Applicator brush
• Hair clip
• Plastic shower cap
• Plastic cling wrap

Instructions

1. Pour the 20-percent peroxide solution over dry hair and leave on for 10 minutes. Most gray hair is coarser than younger hair, which makes it harder for the color to absorb into the cuticle. The peroxide solution will help soften the cuticle, opening it help the color absorb. Rinse the solution and dry hair with a hairdryer.

2. Put on old clothing and rubber gloves. Mix the contents of the hair dye kit according to the directions.

3. Pour the hair dye into a small bowl to apply to your gray strands. The dye will go on smoother, and more accurately, with an applicator brush instead of a squeeze bottle.

4. Part hair down the center and secure one side in a hair clip. Dip the applicator brush into the hair dye solution and apply to your gray strands 2 inches above the scalp down the center part line. You want to save the roots for last, especially if you are going brown or black. The roots will absorb the most color and may turn a shade or two darker if the color stays on the roots as long as it does on the rest of your hair.

5. Move 2 inches to the side of the center part and repeat the process of coating the hair with the hair dye. Work throughout one side of you hair to coat each strand 2 inches above the scalp. Release the other side of your hair and repeat the process of coating the strands with the hair dye. Remember to leave hair dye in the bowl to coat the roots when it is time.

6. Wrap a plastic shower cap, or plastic cling wrap, around your head. Set the timer for 10 minutes. Remove the cap, or cling wrap, and apply the remaining dye to your roots and hair line. Use your fingers to massage the dye into the scalp and roots and to work around the hairline. Replace the cap, or cling wrap, and set the timer for 15 minutes.

7. Remove the cap or cling wrap and rinse your hair under lukewarm water. Apply a color-safe conditioner, typically included in the kit, to your hair and leave on for two minutes. Rinse and dry hair as normal.

Tips & Warnings

• Wait 24 hours to dye your hair after washing.

• If hair is too dark, rinse under hot water to help fade the color.

References

• Women's Healthcare Topics: Gray Hair - To Color or Not to Color
• Good Housekeeping; Five Things About Going Gray; Ginger Otis
• Oprah: The Gray Hair Bible