How To Make Gray Hair Shine

Gray hair is considered a sign of wisdom and maturity, and it rarely goes unnoticed. But dull and dry gray hair can grab attention for all the wrong reasons. So if you want to make your gray hair shine and become healthy, you should give your tresses some TLC. To care for your dull gray hair, you must first understand what it needs. In this article, we have listed a few hair care tips to make gray hair shine naturally. Scroll down for more information.

Why Does Gray Hair Turn Yellow?

1. Environmental Exposure: Gray hair is more susceptible to picking up yellow tones from environmental factors. Smoking, air pollution, and exposure to minerals in water can all contribute to this discoloration.
2. Product Buildup: Residue from hair products like shampoos, conditioners, and styling products can accumulate on gray hair, causing it to appear yellowish over time.
3. Smoking: Tar and nicotine in cigarettes can discolor gray hair, leading to a yellowish hue (1).
4. Hard Water: The minerals in hard water can leave deposits on hair, particularly gray hair, leading to yellowing.
5. UV Exposure: Prolonged exposure to sunlight can lead to oxidation and yellowing of gray hair (2).

Now that you understand the reasons why and how gray hair can sometimes develop a yellowish tinge, let’s delve into the natural methods for enhancing the shine of gray hair.

How To Make Gray Hair Shine Naturally

1. Use The Right Shampoo

The right shampoo is the key to shiny, beautiful gray hair. Shampoos that are specially formulated for gray hair help transform your dull and unmanageable hair into shiny silver locks. Invest in shampoos packed with gentle clarifying agents and hydrating ingredients to soften coarse gray hair.

Use a clarifying shampoo at least once a week to remove product buildup, impurities, and pollutants. Ensure that you also include a moisturizing shampoo in your hair care routine (3). Opt for purple shampoos to prevent your gray hair from appearing yellow.

Quick Tip

You can use a volumizing shampoo to add bounce to limp gray hair. If you have weak hair, opt for a protein-based shampoo.

2. Apply The Right Conditioner

Gray hair is usually very porous and can absorb pigment from hair care products, especially conditioners. A conditioner with yellow pigments can make your gray hair look lusterless and brassy. To avoid this discoloration, use a conditioner specially meant for gray hair.

Gray hair conditioners have bluish or violet undertones that help seal the hair cuticles for long-lasting shine. They can make your gray hair look sleek and vibrant with a silvery finish.

On the other hand, Amanda, a YouTuber, shared her experience with managing gray hair and preventing it from turning yellow or dull. After she noticed some of her hair strands were turning yellow, she started using the purple conditioner on dry hair. She said, “It has been a total game changer for me (i).”

3. Add Serum To Your Hair Care Routine

A serum is another must-have product if you want that extra shine in your hair. It makes your gray hair not only smooth and shiny but also soft and manageable. Always use a clear, colorless serum instead of an amber-colored one. This will add shine to your grays without affecting their tones. Additionally, if you are wondering what to do about your frizzy gray hair, a moisturizing serum is what you need. It will nourish your strands and lend them a sleek, hydrated look.

4. A Toner Is The Way To Go

What sets apart perfect silver-gray hair from normal gray hair is the undertone. Gray hair is prone to develop a yellowish undertone naturally. But to make it shine and look silvery, it should have a blue undertone. A violet toner neutralizes dull yellow undertones. Your gray hair absorbs the pigment and imparts a desirable shade of silver and platinum.

5. Keep The Heat Styling To A Minimum

Gray hair is weaker than normal hair due to high porosity, and the excessive use of heat styling tools will make it even more fragile, dry, and rough. Hence, use heat styling tools at the lowest temperature settings. You can also choose a hairstyle that does not require heat styling or opt for overnight curlers.

Quick Tip

Keep the blowdryer at a low setting and at least 15 cm away from your tresses to prevent heat damage. Apply a heat protectant before using any heat-styling tools.

6. Befriend A Satin Pillowcase

Gray hair is fragile and can easily break due to friction. A rough pillowcase can wreak havoc on your gray hair for every twist and turn you make in your sleep. Hence, use a satin pillowcase to keep your hair breakage at a minimum.

The soft satin fabric will prevent friction and static, reducing the chances of hair breakage. You can also wrap your hair in a silk scarf while sleeping. This will help maintain healthy gray hair and eliminate fly aways.

7. Maintain A Healthy And Balanced Diet

A balanced diet is equally important to slow down hair aging and boost the shine of your gray hair. For vibrant gray hair, consume proteins, healthy fats, and vitamins. These essential nutrients provide much-needed nourishment to your hair and scalp. Also, consume mineral-rich foods to make your gray hair shiny and healthy.

8. Use A Deep Conditioning Treatment Weekly

Include a deep conditioning treatment in your weekly hair care regimen to restore moisture and boost shine. Choose treatments with natural oils like argan or jojoba to nourish and hydrate gray hair. Deep conditioning may also help tackle frizz, giving your hair a smooth appearance and natural luster.

Supplement your diet with these foods to make your gray hair shine naturally:

• Salmon And Mackerel: Contain omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, and vitamins that keep the scalp moisturized and preserve the natural luster of your hair (4). A study found that DHA, an important omega-3 fatty acid found in mackerel, helps hair grow by strengthening hair follicles and keeping them in the active growth phase for longer. It also boosts the cells that support hair growth and improves the process that keeps hair healthy, strong, and shiny (5).
• Walnuts: Rich in potassium and copper, which stimulate hair growth and prevent dullness (6).
• Spinach: Contains magnesium and iron that improve your hair health and combat hair loss (7), (8).
• Avocados: Anecdotal evidence suggests that applying avocados helps condition the hair and prevent breakage.
• Carrot Juice: According to anecdotal evidence, carrots can help make the hair shinier and prevent premature graying. 
• Amla Juice: Enhances the natural hair pigment, reduces graying, nourishes the hair, and prevents balding (9). A study was conducted to test the potential of Amla syrup in treating female pattern hair loss. Sixty women participated in the study, taking either Amla syrup or a placebo for 12 weeks. The results were promising, with the group taking Amla showing improved hair growth, with more hairs in the growing phase (10).

Disclaimer: The effectiveness of these methods and products may vary depending on individual hair type, genetics, and lifestyle. While these tips are generally beneficial to make your gray hair shine as well as improve your overall hair health, results may not be the same for everyone. If you experience persistent hair concerns or unexpected reactions, consult a dermatologist or hair care specialist for personalized advice. Make sure you always do a patch test before applying anything on your scalp. 

Also, gray hair can vary in texture. Some may have coarse, wiry strands, while others may have fine, soft hair. You may have to adjust your hair care routine based on your specific hair type and needs for the best results. Keep reading to learn a few tips.

Care Tips For Different Types Of Gray Hair

For Fine, Thin Gray Hair:

• Use a lightweight volumizing shampoo to prevent hair from looking limp.
• Avoid heavy conditioners and serums that may weigh your hair down.
• Opt for mousse or lightweight styling products for added volume.

For Coarse, Wiry Gray Hair:

• Choose a deeply moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to soften hair.
• Use a leave-in conditioner to reduce frizz and improve manageability.
• Apply natural oils like argan or coconut oil to smooth and nourish strands.

For Frizzy or Curly Gray Hair:

• Stick to sulfate-free shampoos to avoid drying out curls.
• Use a curl-enhancing cream or gel to define curls and prevent frizz.
• Deep condition regularly to keep curls hydrated and bouncy.

For Dry, Brittle Gray Hair:

• Use hydrating masks and deep conditioners at least once a week.
• Avoid excessive heat styling and always use a heat protectant.
• Apply a lightweight oil or serum to lock in moisture and add shine.

The effectiveness of hair care products and routines may vary based on individual hair texture, environmental factors, and overall hair health. Experiment with different methods to find what works best for you.

Infographic: Simple Ways You Can Make Your Gray Hair Shine

While gray hair is considered modish in present times, lackluster tresses don’t exactly scream stunning. It is, thus, best to take care of your hair and ensure the shine never leaves. With a few tips and tricks and without extending your budget, you can now make your gray mane shine naturally. Want to know how? Check out the infographic below.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Does vinegar make gray hair shine?

A vinegar rinse improves your overall hair health, and possibly hair shine too. Anecdotal evidence suggests adding vinegar to your shampoo to increase hair shine and remove any yellow hues from gray hair.

How can I turn my gray hair silver naturally?

You can try a vinegar rinse or a baking soda solution to make your hair whiter.

Can you use hair gloss on gray hair?

There are specific hair glosses made for white, graying, or light-colored hair. You can use these glosses to add shine, improve appearance, and make hair more manageable and easy to style.

Is there a silver rinse for gray hair?

There are products on the market that you can use to change your hair color from gray to more silver or white. The most popular one is the silver hair toner that removes other hues from your gray hair to make it whiter.

Illustration: Simple Tips To Get Shiny Gray Hair Naturally

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

The simple instructions in the video will help you give your gray hair a lustrous, smooth appearance. Discover how to make your gray hair seem its best! Check it out!

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Tiffany YoungCertified Trichology Practitioner

       

Tiffany Young is the CEO and founder of ThinHairThick and a certified trichology practitioner with 6 years of experience. She is also a recognized expert in the hair and beauty industry with celebrity clientele.

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Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

 

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

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Medha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest quality.

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