Gray, graphite, pewter, smoke, silver, slate, ash, dove, charcoal, gunmetal. No matter the name or if 50 shades of gray exist, most of us will experience a change in hair color as we age. Many women and men dye their hair so the gray doesn’t show. Ads tell us:
“L’Oreal Age Perfect by Excellence is specifically developed to color mature, gray hair…. Discover haircolor that flatters you perfectly.” Just for Men products, “Target the gray for a natural look.” The ads say gray doesn’t “flatter” and isn’t “natural.”
But the Bible says in Proverbs 16:31,
Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.
Why does hair turn gray?
“Hair goes gray when color-producing cells stop producing pigment, says Jeffrey Benabio, MD, a dermatologist at Kaiser Permanente in San Diego. Naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide can also build up in the hair, bleaching the color.”
Web MD states:
“Going gray, by itself, does not mean you have a medical problem, except in rare cases. Contrary to popular belief, stress has not been shown to cause gray hair. Scientists don’t know exactly why some people go gray early, but genes play a large role. Also, a vitamin B-12 deficiency or problems with your pituitary or thyroid gland can cause premature graying that’s reversible if the problem is corrected, Benabio says.
Some research has suggested a connection between premature graying and lower bone density later in life. But in 2007, a study of about 1,200 California men and women showed no such link.
Typically, white people start going gray in their mid-30s, Asians in their late 30s, and African-Americans in their mid-40s. Half of all people have a significant amount of gray hair by the time they turn 50….
Embracing the Gray
More young mothers, professionals, and even runway models are opting to ‘go gray,’ says Diana Jewell, author of Going Gray, Looking Great.
‘The myth that gray hair makes you old is just that — a myth. If you were young, vibrant, active, healthy pre-gray, you’re still going to be that way. It’s all in the attitude you bring to it,’ Jewell says. ‘If you think of it as merely another color choice, you won’t be afraid of gray.'”
Was she talking about home staging or hair color? Easy on the eyes, sophisticated, understated, a near-perfect neutral color. Whatever the shade, going or being gray is definitely a “crown of splendor” so embrace it and don it with pride.