Men may feel self-conscious about their greying locks just like women do, but there are more options than ever to conceal those salt-and-pepper strands.
Natural-Looking Color at Home
Finding the appropriate color to cover gray hair can give your appearance an updated, youthful vibe without making its grey strands stand out. Most stylists advise selecting a shade a few shades lighter than your natural shade to cover it effectively and make the gray unnoticeable. Men’s hair dyes have seen tremendous strides over the years, offering subtle yet natural-looking colors that complement your natural hue. If you want a bolder shade, semi-permanent dyes may add dimension and depth to your mane. Traditional hair dyes contain numerous chemicals which may cause skin and respiratory irritation, suppression of immune systems, or even cancer at high exposure levels. If you prefer an all-natural alternative, such as henna or mehendi for coloring your locks naturally, or herbal colors made with essential oils to extend their vibrancy longer, these are extraordinary natural solutions.
Quick Color Service in the Salon
Quick color services available at salons offer quick solutions to cover gray hairs while remaining natural-looking – these may be great options for clients not ready to commit to permanent color yet. These non-permanent dyes are designed to blend gray strands for up to eight weeks before it fades to more neutral tones. Stylists can customize these shades according to each client’s natural skin tone. Some men seek more drastic transformation, opting for permanent hair color services in salons. This technique uses an array of hues that can enhance natural dyes or create on-trend styles – plus; stylists can tailor these hues specifically to each client and customize as masculine or feminine as desired – such as Redken’s Men Color Camo or American Crew’s Precision Blend as demi or semi-permanent options that can look natural on most men.
Semi-Permanent Color
Demi-permanent hair color uses low volumes of hydrogen peroxide to gently open up your cuticle and deposit dye onto it, often used for lightening gray regrowth or blending it. Over several weeks it will fade gradually without leaving behind harsh lines of regrowth, providing partial gray coverage. Caramel balayage, for instance, combines grays and adds shine to brighten up your complexion for an inconspicuous yet natural-looking result reminiscent of just having had your hair washed. Root touch-up, which covers only the roots, can last about 20 shampoos. This solution is excellent for anyone unsure whether going full salt-and-pepper is for them; it allows them to experiment with this look before committing fully. A root-touch-up product combined with regular haircuts and healthy living can keep your appearance at its best – sometimes, having just a bit of gray can give a more distinguished, handsome appearance than having all over it!
Boxed Hair Color
While a box of hair colors might be affordable, its use can cause irreparable harm over time. “Box dyes use extremely harsh chemicals designed to work on as many people as possible,” according to Bruton, often leading to porous and dry locks that tangle easily. However, following directions precisely could result in an unintended or uneven color that requires hours of salon time to correct. Furthermore, metallic salts in most box hair colors can leave your strands looking dark instead of the light, glossy shade you were after. Arndt suggests finding a junior colorist at your local salon and asking to model for free as their model, who will deliver professional results while treating your hair gently – ultimately providing longer-lasting natural-looking color options.
