Regardless of the terms you use to describe your greying hair—whether it’s salt-and-pepper, silver, grey, white, or platinum—it’s a common experience that many of us encounter at some stage in life.
How you opt to address it, whether by colouring it, embracing it, or finding a middle ground, is entirely your choice.
For those of us blessed with curls, waves, and coils, tending to our hair as it greys can present its own set of challenges. But fear not—there are methods to nurture your distinctive texture that will maintain both the colour and curl pattern in splendid shape!
Understanding the needs of greying curls
The fundamentals of caring for your greying curly, wavy or coily hair mirror those of any other hair type.
Curly, wavy and coily hair demand a tad more TLC in terms of hydration and moisture—two essential elements in keeping your hair looking fabulous as it greys.
Grey hair primarily results from the depigmentation of natural hair fibers due to intricate biochemical changes within the hair cortex.
The reduction in the natural colouring pigment, melanin, in hair is what causes it to lose its colour over time. To grasp the mechanism of hair greying better, numerous researchers have delved into the scientific rationale.
It could stem from either the inactivity of melanocytes or the diminished enzymatic activity responsible for melanin synthesis within specialised cells.
Grey hair permanently alters the colour of your hair and colouring it remains the sole method to revert it to its original shade.
The real question is: how can we properly care for it?
In the sections ahead, we’ll delve into the scientific reasons behind hair greying and provide insights to help you sustain healthy curls and coils as your hair begins to grey.
First, let’s understand how grey hair differs from naturally pigmented hair.
Grey Hair vs. Pigmented Hair
Numerous scientific studies have illustrated that grey hairs possess distinct qualities setting them apart from other pigmented natural hair colours. They exhibit various traits that distinguish them from other hair types.
These characteristics include:
- Grey hair lacks the melanin pigment, rendering it silver or grey to the naked eye.
- Grey hair tends to be coarser than pigmented hair.
- Grey hair is more porous compared to pigmented hair.
- Grey hair generally displays higher pigment uptake during hair colouring treatments and active ingredient absorption, likely due to the larger pore size along their shaft.
- Grey hair necessitates a different care regimen from non-grey hair and thus requires specialised attention for day-to-day manageability.
- Grey hair generally displays higher pigment uptake during hair colouring treatments and active ingredient absorption, likely due to the larger pore size along their shaft.
- Grey hair necessitates a different care regimen from non-grey hair and thus requires specialised attention for day-to-day manageability.
- Grey hair is more hydrophilic, attributed to higher cystic acid levels found in grey hair amino acid analysis.
- Grey hair reacts differently to oxidative and reductive hair treatments (e.g., bleaching, oxidative colouring, and perms).
How to Care for Grey Curly Hair
UV Protection
Grey hair typically lacks melanin, rendering it vulnerable to solar-induced damage. The absence of melanin exposes hair proteins to UV radiation, which can oxidise hair proteins, resulting in significant hair damage.
This is corroborated by higher cystic acid levels found in grey hair (cystic acid being the oxidation product of cystine amino acids).
Therefore, grey hair necessitates protection against UV radiation to preserve its integrity and tensile strength. A leave-in conditioner can be instrumental in this regard.
Flora & Curl African Citrus Bloom Superfruit Hair Oil is an optimal choice UV protectant for grey hair. Formulated with a blend of natural oils, it may aid in shielding the hair shaft against sun damage.
Moisture & Hydration
Grey hair tends to be dry due to its larger pore size, which leads to a heightened propensity for water molecule loss, leaving the hair dry and brittle. This issue is exacerbated during harsh weather conditions, especially in cold, wintry climates.
Given that grey hair is prone to dryness, roughness, and frizziness, it requires additional hydration to maintain its natural appearance and style. The most effective approach is through the use of moisturising shampoo and conditioning treatments.
Bounce Curl Pure Silk Moisturizing Shampoo is an excellent option for grey hair. This moisture-rich formula, free of sulfates, helps preserve your grey hair’s natural slip and essential lipid content.
Those with grey hair should utilise moisturising, conditioning products. The Super Smooth Cream Conditioner is recommended for this purpose. Alternate wash days with Jessicurl Deep Conditioning Treatment to act as a deep conditioner.
The combination of both products offers a moisture-rich blend for grey hair, boosting its moisture level and fiber quality.
Grey Hair & Curl Definition
Grey hair may not only lose its curl definition and retention but is also porous, making it susceptible to absorbing moisture from the environment. This can result in frizziness and difficulty in styling, especially in high-humidity conditions.
Similarly, grey hair responds strongly to cold, wintry conditions characterised by dry, low-temperature environments. Therefore, grey hair should be adequately preserved during harsh weather conditions to maintain its naturally curly, wavy and coily shapes.
To help define and preserve your locks, we recommend the Moisture Balance Leave-In Conditioner. This potent leave-in formula can provide deep nourishment, helping mitigate the effects of surrounding weather conditions.
You can also use a gel to define the curls. Bounce Curl’s unique weightless Light Hold Crème Gel. This product is the perfect styling solution for fine, curly grey hair, providing a light hold to keep the curls in place while leaving hair soft and manageable.
For thick, curly, and coily hair, Bounce Curl offers Defining Butta, enriched with natural butter that can help create shiny and soft hair. This product provides a light to medium hold, defining grey hair while keeping the curls controlled and conditioned.
Simple Routine for Grey Curly Hair
- Wash your curls using Bounce Curl Pure Silk Moisturizing Shampoo (2-3 times a week).
- Depending on your lifestyle and preference, wash curls using Gentle Clarifying Shampoo (once a week) to remove any product build-up and avoid weighed-down hair.
- Condition grey hair using Super Smooth Cream Conditioner (once a week), and apply the Moisture Balance Leave-In Conditioner to help protect grey hairs from UV.
- Style your grey hairs with Light Hold Crème Gel and thick or coily hair using Defining Butta hair product.
