How to Change the Color of Gray Hair

Coloring gray hair can be difficult, since the shades of the hair vary and are often different from the natural color. Gray hair can accept dye more readily than natural hair color, making the color more obvious than the original gray. In other cases, the cuticle on gray hair might be harder to dye, as it rejects color more readily than darker strands. With careful planning and some help from your stylist or trusted friend, you can color gray hair successfully and look great.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• All-over permanent coloring kit
• Highlight coloring kit
• Coloring cap
• Hair foils
• Comb
• Hair clips (small and medium)
• Deep conditioner

Choosing a Haircolor

1. Choose hair color that is within the natural color spectrum and close to your natural color. Stay away from dyes that have pink or burgundy undertones, because gray hair will hold these colors and cause them to be too bright.

2. Choose permanent hair colors, as semi-permanent dyes do not provide good coverage on gray hair.

3. Pick highlight colors that compliment your skin tone and the all-over color you chose in step 1. Highlights can be a bit drastic, so do this in a separate step, after you have colored your hair in a neutral shade.

Starting the Dying Process

4. Mix the hair color with the developer according to the dye kit instructions.

5. Divide hair into quarters by parting hair down the middle, then from ear to ear. In two-inch sections, begin coloring the portion of hair that has the most gray. As you add dye to the hair, pile it on top of the head.

6. Put on the dye cap and start the timer. Hair dye should remain on gray hair for a few minutes longer than on other hair to completely dye it, so follow the time indicated in the instructions that came with the dye.

7. Rinse hair until the rinse water is clear. If you're not applying highlights, condition hair with a deep conditioner, allowing it to sit on the hair for 10 minutes. If adding highlights, do not apply conditioner to the hair yet, because it will prevent highlight color from penetrating the hair color.

Adding Highlights

8. Section hair and bind areas where you want highlights. Start by adding highlight color to the closest area to the grayest hair. Paint the hair and fold up in a hair foil.

9. Allow hair to sit with highlight color according to the box instructions. Since your hair is more porous from the all-over color, look at the hair every ten minutes or so to make sure it's not getting too light. When the time is up, remove the foils.

10. After removing the foils, quickly rinse hair in cool water. Condition deeply by allowing conditioner to penetrate hair for ten minutes or more before rinsing.

11. Touch up root color every two to three weeks, treating gray areas first.

Tips & Warnings

• Many home color kits come with a cap or a specialized brush for applying the hair color. Highlights are more natural looking if you allow them to develop in hair foils, however.
• Test your hair and scalp for dye sensitivity before dying hair. Instructions on dye testing are noted in your color kit.

References

• Gray hair Tips
• Hair Dying Information
• Clairol Dye Tips