Video:How to Fight Gray Hair

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Transcript:How to Fight Gray Hair

Facts About Gray Hair

It's the moment that you feared would eventually arrive but one you'd hoped would be in the distant future. But sure enough, as you casually check yourself in the mirror, you spot what appears to be a gray hair. And, knowing that an army of grays is likely on the prowl, it's time to draw up a battle plan and push those gray hairs to a hasty retreat.You might be relieved to know that gray hair is not exactly a sign of aging hair. The change is actually in your genes and due to a loss of melanin. After all, there are people who go gray in their thirties, or even in their twenties.

Best Ways to Fight Gray Hair

So, don't take it as a sign that the Grim Reaper is lurking in the shadows. The good news is that, no matter what your age, there are ways to keep your crowning glory from going monochromatic. Whether you're a guy or a gal, seeking the sage advice of hair stylists and professional colorists is a good way to go. These big guns are pros at bringing your hair back to the color you were born with or, at the very least, the color you enjoy wearing now. Stylists can match the color for you, integrate gray streaks with your color for a new look, or spice it up with a salt and pepper look for men that's just difficult to recreate while leaning over your kitchen sink. If you don't know someone who specializes in color, be sure to get some referrals before letting just anyone touch those locks. Unless you have lots of friends and can find some sort of Groupon colorist discount, the thought of paying for the use of reinforcements on a regular basis might... not suit your budget.

Other Ways to Fight Gray Hair

Home hair dye has come a long way - even a total newbie can do a decent job with minimal mess. But no matter which product you choose, just be sure to stick to the instructions. If you're battling just a few grays, you might select a semi-permanent solution that allows you to touch and go with minimal stress. But when the gray seems like it might be winning the battle, then a permanent dye might be a good choice. Select a color closest to your natural color or go slightly darker if you have a lot of gray to cover. If you're afraid you'll be called out for your trips to the stylist or will be spotted with a box of hair color on aisle 12, you might want to resign from the dye job idea and take a more holistic approach.

Research has revealed new insights into why we go gray, and we may not always need to blame our parents. Some health conditions are at the root of the problem and may reveal that tweaking something on the inside may help to combat graying hair. If you can stomach the you-are-what-you-eat strategy to hair care, some researchers suggest that different vitamin sources like fruits, vitamin supplements, or dietary changes can give hair the strength it needs to fend off the grays. Examples include fresh strawberries, pineapple and kiwi along with supplements like vitamin C, vitamin B-6, and Biotin. This probably won't cure gray hair, but it may slow the process.

Alternative to Fighting Gray Hair

Finally, you might even choose to wave the white flag and decide that gray hair is not worth fighting and that it might even add a new dimension. Just look what it did for George Clooney and Anderson Cooper. Not too bad to be known as "The Silver Fox." At least, that's the look I'm going for. I'm Jonathon Stewart, with About.com.