Gray and silver hair has one problem that pigmented hair does not — it shows every kind of discolouration, and by the end of a summer it can turn distinctly yellow or brassy. Here is why it discolours, what actually causes it, and how to protect it.

Why Gray Hair Discolours

No pigment to hide anything: the the-there-is-no-pigment-to-mask-it (the absence of pigment leaving nothing to conceal staining from the care-texture logic — the no-pigment-to-mask), the the-the-cuticle-is-often-more-porous (the gray hair often being more porous and absorbent from the care-texture logic — the more-porous), the the-it-absorbs-what-it-is-exposed-to (the porous hair taking up minerals and residues from the care-texture logic — the absorbs-exposure), the the-yellowing-shows-immediately (the any warmth showing instantly against silver from the best-products logic — the yellowing-shows), the the-it-affects-the-whole-head-evenly (the discolouration appearing across all the gray from the styling-guide logic — the affects-evenly), and the reframe (the yellowing silver hair as a visibility problem — no pigment to mask anything, in a hair type that is often more porous and absorbs whatever it meets).

What Causes It

The usual sources: the the-uv-exposure (the sunlight oxidising and yellowing the hair from the styling-guide logic — the uv-exposure), the the-chlorine-and-pool-water (the chlorine causing marked discolouration from the workout-active logic — the chlorine), the the-hard-water-minerals (the minerals in hard water depositing over time from the care-texture logic — the hard-water), the the-product-buildup (the styling product residue accumulating and yellowing from the best-products logic — the product-buildup), the the-heat-styling (the heat tools contributing to yellowing from the styling-guide logic — the heat-styling), the the-smoke-and-environmental-exposure (the environmental exposure staining porous hair from the care-texture logic — the environmental), and the the-some-shampoos-deposit-warmth (the certain products depositing warm tones from the best-products logic — the depositing-products).

The Protection Notes

Keeping it clear: the the-a-hat-in-strong-sun (the physical shade being the most effective protection from the styling-guide logic — the wear-a-hat), the the-uv-protective-hair-products (the leave-in products with UV protection from the styling-guide logic — the uv-products), the the-rinse-immediately-after-swimming (the rinsing chlorine out straight away from the workout-active logic — the rinse-after-swimming), the the-wet-the-hair-before-the-pool (the pre-wetting hair so it absorbs less chlorine from the workout-active logic — the pre-wet), the the-a-purple-or-blue-toning-shampoo (the toning shampoos neutralising yellow from the best-products logic — the toning-shampoo), the the-do-not-overuse-toning-products (the excessive toning turning hair dull or lilac from the best-products logic — the do-not-overuse-toning), the the-a-clarifying-treatment-for-buildup (the periodic clarifying removing mineral and product buildup from the best-products logic — the clarify-periodically), and the frame (the silver hair discolouration as sun, chlorine, hard water and buildup — countered with a hat, UV products, rinsing after swimming and measured use of toning shampoo. Wear a hat in strong sun, rinse immediately after swimming, use toning shampoo sparingly, and clarify periodically for buildup).

Gray and silver hair has one problem pigmented hair does not — it shows every kind of discolouration, and by the end of a summer it can turn distinctly yellow. It discolours because there is no pigment to mask it, the cuticle is often more porous, it absorbs what it is exposed to, yellowing shows immediately, and it affects the whole head evenly. The causes: UV exposure, chlorine and pool water, hard water minerals, product buildup, heat styling, smoke and environmental exposure, and some shampoos depositing warmth. Protect it with a hat in strong sun, UV-protective hair products, rinsing immediately after swimming, wetting the hair before the pool, a purple or blue toning shampoo used sparingly, and a clarifying treatment for buildup.