Lifestyle
First, there were five gray hairs, now I’m counting ten at the front of my hairline, eagerly waiting for more to join the gathering. Believe it or not, I mistook those gray strands for lint at first. I spent longer than I care to admit trying to brush them away before the realization hit me: my once-dark locks were beginning to transition to gray.
For many, gray hair signifies aging, the relentless march of time, and an overwhelming sense of unpreparedness for this inevitable change. As you grow older, the likelihood of finding gray strands increases. After reaching 30, the chances of going gray rise by 10% to 20% each decade. By the time you hit 50, there’s a 50% chance you’ll sport some gray. But it’s not just the older crowd—people in their 20s and 30s are seeing gray hair too.
Take 36-year-old Lily from Virginia, for instance. “I’ve been graying prematurely since high school,” she explains. “My mom said it runs in the family. I started coloring my hair around that time and ended up committing myself to a lifetime of expensive salon visits. That was until early 2020. I spent so much energy trying to hide the inevitable that I finally decided to let my color grow out before the pandemic. Once I was working from home, I figured, why not go for it?”
There are various reasons our hair turns gray, including a decrease in melanin production, genetics, health, environmental factors, and yes, even stress. So how does this transition occur? According to an article from Penn Medicine, one reason is linked to chemical processes in our hair. “The cells in your hair naturally produce small amounts of hydrogen peroxide. Typically, an enzyme called catalase breaks it down into water and oxygen.”
“As we age, our bodies produce less catalase, leading to a buildup of hydrogen peroxide that can damage pigment-producing cells, resulting in gray or white hairs. In women, graying often starts around the temples and progresses toward the scalp’s top. Hair on the body and face may also turn gray, but usually later than head hair.”
Time waits for no one, and we can’t resist the aging process. Once it catches up to you, the choice is to either fight it (and dye it) or embrace it; it is what it is. Each day, I find myself leaning into my gray hair more. The pandemic has helped with this shift. While salons have mostly reopened, some people still don’t feel comfortable visiting them, allowing their grays to flourish. Many have reconsidered the tedious routine of covering their gray hairs.
Lily reflects, “During the pandemic, I couldn’t get my hair professionally colored even if I wanted to. Honestly, hair felt like a low priority when so many were struggling with COVID-19. I spent a lot of time alone and reassessed my priorities, letting go of things that no longer served me.” Covering her gray hair was just one of those things she chose to release.
In a piece by Sarah in The Washington Post about choosing to go gray during the pandemic, she writes, “I was 34. My husband reassured me that I wouldn’t look old. I still got carded regularly, but I knew the gray would put an end to that flattery. Maybe the combination of a young face and gray hair would be unique enough to pull off as a choice, like mom jeans.”
The reality is that hiding gray hair requires effort. Who has time for that? Not me. Even though my gray hairs are still few, I can’t see myself covering them anytime soon.
Throughout the pandemic, many of us took on new roles—becoming our own barbers and hairstylists. We were all pushed to feel comfortable stepping outside our comfort zones in terms of personal appearance. This period allowed many to embrace aspects of themselves previously viewed as flaws. Feeling at ease with gray hair, letting those roots show, and greeting those grays like old friends has become increasingly common.
It’s all relative. Hair dye can provide a temporary sense of comfort, but eventually, the gray returns. They were there before the dye, so why not accept it? Ask yourself, who are you coloring your hair for? Is it for your self-esteem or to maintain a facade of youth? Just like you embrace body changes, changing breasts, and unexpected chin hairs, lean into those gray strands. Accept them and make the most of this new chapter, pandemic-style.
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Summary:
As we navigate the inevitability of gray hair, many are finding solace in embracing their natural look rather than concealing it. The pandemic has prompted numerous individuals to reflect on their priorities, leading to a newfound acceptance of gray hair. While some may still opt for hair dye, the question remains: who are we really coloring our hair for? It’s time to lean into the changes that come with aging and embrace them as part of our journey.