Caring for your hair properly requires life-long learning. Seemingly every decade, your strands undergo a major change, whether that’s puberty, pregnancy, or the natural aging process. But one of the most jarring transitions is when the grays start growing in faster than you can color them, and it feels like you’re at the salon for a touch-up every two weeks. At that point, you may wonder: should I stop dying my hair? If you need an added push, read on to hear from hair stylists about the key benefits of letting your hair go gray. Their arguments just might persuade you to cancel your next trip to the salon.
RELATED: 6 Ways You’re Ruining Your Gray Hair While Sleeping, Stylists and Dermatologists Say.
7 Benefits of Letting Your Hair Go Gray
1. Your hair will be healthier.
It’s a simple fact: If you stop dying your hair, it will become healthier. Just think about what happens when you color your strands.
According to Healthline, applying dye lifts the hair’s protective proteins so the chemicals can penetrate the strand and change its color. While this might result in a dazzling hue, it weakens the hair, which can cause brittleness, dryness, and overall thinning.
According to Ghanima Abdullah, cosmetologist and hair expert for The Right Hairstyles, this is especially true of dying gray hair, which is already more fragile than fully pigmented hair. Grow your hair out in its natural hue, and you’ll likely notice a dramatic improvement in its look, feel, and the level of maintenance it requires.
2. Your scalp health will improve.
After you dye your hair, it’s not uncommon for your scalp to be itchy for days. Well, if you stop the dying process, you won’t have this problem.
“Letting your hair go gray is an effective way to avoid exposing your scalp to toxic ingredients of hair dyes,” says Monica Davis, a professional hairstylist and founder of Hair Scream.
According to the National Health Service, an itchy scalp after a hair color appointment is often caused by a chemical in dye called paraphenylenediamine, a known irritant and allergen.
RELATED: 6 Tips to Upgrade Your Morning Beauty Routine After 60.
3. You’ll save loads of cash.
Deciding to go gray can save you thousands a year. “If you let your natural grays shine through, you can save a lot of money on dyeing your hair and getting touch-ups,” says Abdullah. “Even if you don’t go to the salon every month, but use a box dye, it can still get expensive.”
Think about it: Skipping a $50 root touch-up once a month can save you $600 each year. You’ll also be able to ditch the pricy hair masks, oils, color-depositing toners, and color-safe shampoos that colored hair often requires.
4. You’ll see added dimension.
Going gray isn’t only practical—it also creates a stunning aesthetic. “I think grey hair is beautiful,” says Jose Rojas, color specialist and regional training artist for Hair Cuttery. “I love the different dimensions; Some people have strips of white that look like highlights while others have that Snow White color that every platinum blonde wants.”
To refine your natural gray color to perfection, chat with your stylist about at-home toning treatments that will boost your strands.
RELATED: What Happens to Your Hair If You Only Use Conditioner, Dermatologists Say.
5. You’ll help the environment.
Every salon trip to cover up those grays or even touch up your roots results in more water and chemical usage. By going naturally gray, you’re actually contributing to environmental sustainability.
“Many hair dyes contain potentially harmful chemicals that end up in our waterways after rinsing, says Dawna Jarvis, master stylist and business strategist. “By forgoing these products, you reduce your environmental footprint, fostering a more eco-friendly lifestyle.”
6. You’ll get a glowing effect.
Choosing to go gray can easily highlight your facial features, especially your complexion.
“The silvery strands reflect light differently than pigmented hair, illuminating your skin and bringing a special glow to your face, says Susie Geda, co-owner at Bibo Salon.
For more beauty advice delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
7. You’ll feel free.
When it comes down to it, countless ways dying your hair can cause stress. You may worry the color will come out wrong, that you’re spending too much money, or that you’re not caring for your strands properly. If you let your hair go gray, all that disappears.
Victoria Marie, the producer and director of Gray Is The New Blonde, an award-winning documentary about women and their choice to embrace their gray hair, has a unique perspective. “The word ‘freedom’ was the most-used adjective the women I interviewed for the film used to describe their feeling after choosing to ditch the dye.”
In addition to feeling free, deciding to embrace your natural gray sends a message of confidence and authenticity. “It shows you’re comfortable in your own skin and not afraid to break away from societal expectations of beauty, which can, in turn, amplify your overall presence and charm, says Nikki Corzine, owner of The Canyon Salon.
So, if you’ve been considering canceling that next color appointment, it might be time to give gray a go.
