5 Things You Need to Know About Curling Gray Hair

What are some important things you need to know about curling gray hair in order to keep it healthy, strong and shiny? Continue reading to learn more.

If you are fully embracing your beautiful gray hair, you are probably wondering what are the best ways to take care of it to keep it healthy and strong. 

In this article, we will give you the complete guide on how to curl gray hair, as well as some of our top tips on how to enhance its stunning silver nuances. So, let’s waste no more time - and get right into it:

What is gray hair? 

Before we jump into the basics of curling gray hair, it is important to get a good understanding of what gray hair actually is - what causes it, and what are its main characteristics. Knowing the peculiarities of your hair will be essential for taking the right care of it.

So, what exactly is gray hair? 

Gray hair is not an actual color, but a loss of pigmentation that causes the hair to appear colorless or whitish. It occurs as a natural part of the aging process, typically starting to show up as individuals enter their 30s or 40s, although it can also occur earlier or later depending on genetic factors and lifestyle.

The pigmentation of our hair is primarily determined by melanocytes, specialized cells that produce a pigment called melanin. 

Melanin gives hair its characteristic color, ranging from shades of black and brown to red, blonde, or other hues. As we age, the melanocytes gradually produce less melanin, leading to a reduction in hair pigmentation.

When the production of melanin decreases significantly, the hair strand no longer has sufficient pigmentation and appears gray or white. The absence of melanin in the hair shaft causes the hair to reflect light differently, giving it a silver or grayish appearance.

What causes gray hair?

Learning the basics of curling gray hair also means that you will need to get a better understanding of exactly what causes gray hair. 

And now, here’s the thing - according to many hair theories, factors such as stress may lead to premature graying of the hair, but this is not exactly the case. In reality, the primary cause of this phenomenon is the natural aging process.

As we age, the cells that produce pigments (also known as melanocytes, as we mentioned earlier), gradually reduce their production of melanin - the pigment responsible for hair color. This reduction in melanin production leads to a loss of color and the appearance of gray or white hair.

Of course, we are not saying that there aren’t other factors, but aging is the most common cause. And now, let’s take a look at the rest of the factors that may speed up the process of graying:

• Genetics - the timing and rate at which your hair becomes gray is heavily influenced by genetics. Individuals whose parents experienced premature graying are more likely to experience it as well. 
• Oxidative stress - oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between the production of harmful free radicals and the body’s ability to counteract their damaging effects with antioxidants. 
• Ethnicity - your ethnicity may also impact the rate at which you experience premature graying - for example, people of Caucasian descent tend to experience it earlier.
• Medical conditions - certain conditions, such as vitiligo or thyroid disorders, as well as autoimmune conditions, can also impact the process.
• Lifestyle factors - it’s important to keep in mind that factors like chronic stress, smoking, not leading a balanced lifestyle, and certain deficiencies (e.g., vitamin B12) have been linked to premature graying.
• Hair care and styling - excessive use of heat styling tools without taking the right measures to heat style without damage, chemical hair treatments (e.g., bleaching, perming), and harsh hair care products can weaken and damage the hair, increasing the rate of premature graying.

Makes sense, right? Now that you have a better perspective of gray hair and what it actually means, let’s take a look at some of the most important things you’ll need to know on how to curl gray hair:

Curling gray hair: 5 Key Considerations

1. Moisturize your gray hair with the right shampoo and conditioner

When it comes to curling gray hair, one of the most important things that you need to keep in mind is that it tends to be coarser and drier in comparison with pigmented hair. 

This happens mainly because of reduced melanin production as we age - melanin (the pigment that gives color to our hair) is not only responsible for color but also contributes to the hair’s overall structure and moisture content. 

Less melanin means that your gray hair will be more susceptible to dryness. In addition, as we age, the sebaceous glands in our scalp produce less natural oils, which means that the hair strands get less natural lubrication and have more coarse texture.

For this reason, if you want to know how to curl your beautiful gray hair without damage, it is important to begin the thermal hair styling process with the most important step - washing your hair with a deeply hydrating shampoo and conditioner.

This will ensure that your hair is deeply moisturized from the roots, and fully ready for the curling process. 

One of the best options on the market for gray hair is the NuMe Vegan Tourmaline Hair Care Set - a powerful trio of a shampoo, conditioner and hair mask with natural ingredients that won’t be harsh to your beautiful gray hair, and will provide the deep hydration it needs.

 

2. Hair care starts from within 

Leading a balanced lifestyle full of whole, healthy foods is not only important for your overall health and well-being throughout your entire life, but it’s especially important as you age and start graying. Especially if you enjoy curling your gray hair, but want to do it without damage.

Eating foods full of vitamins, minerals, Omega-3 fatty acids and protein - such as leafy greens, fruit, nuts and seeds, salmon and eggs, among many others - is key for ensuring that your gray hair has all the nutrients it needs to be strong and protected against oxidative stress.

As we mentioned earlier, oxidative stress is the imbalance between the production of harmful free radicals and the body’s ability to neutralize them, and antioxidant rich-foods is a great way to reduce it. 

3. Use a thermal heat protectant before curling gray hair

At the beginning of the article, we mentioned that gray hair tends to be coarser and drier than pigmented hair due to a variety of factors associated with natural aging. 

While using a thermal heat protectant is important for all types of hair at all ages of the individual, it is especially important for gray hair to ensure that you won’t cause damage to it and dry it even further. 

A thermal heat protectant is a product designed to protect the hair from damage caused by heat styling, whether it’s curling or straightening. It creates a protective barrier on the surface of the hair, minimizing direct contact and reducing the amount of heat transferred to the hair shaft.

It also helps with temperature regulation and moisture retention, which is especially important when it comes to curling gray hair - which is much more delicate than pigmented hair.

4. Set your curling tool to the right temperature

Another important consideration when it comes to curling gray hair is setting the right temperature of your curling iron or wand. 

If your heat styling tool doesn’t have temperature control settings, you should consider investing in a high-quality tool like the NuMe Classic Wand or the NuMe Automatic Wand to have more control over the right temperature for your gray hair, and reduce the risk of damage.

Gray hair can be more delicate than pigmented hair, so use a lower heat setting on your curling iron or wand - ideally, around 300°F (150°C) or lower if your tool allows it (the award-winning NuMe Megastar Flat Iron can go as low as 200°F (90°C)!

Start with a lower temperature and gradually increase if needed, but always prioritize the health of your hair, which gets weaker and drier with age.

5. Opt for a heat styling tool made from tourmaline

Excessive exposure to high temperatures may lead to moisture loss, causing the hair to become more vulnerable, drier and weaker. When heat is applied to wet or damp hair, it accelerates the process of evaporation, removing moisture from the hair strands.

Which is not great news if you are looking to take care of your beautiful gray hair!

For this reason, when it comes to curling gray hair, another key consideration to keep in mind is to use heat styling tools made from the gemstone tourmaline. 

Tourmaline emits up to 6 times more negative ions than other materials, and it’s widely used in heat styling tools and hair care products due to its natural ability to seal in moisture.

Negative ions counteract the positive ions in the hair, sealing and smoothing down the cuticles to prevent moisture from escaping the hair shaft. 

So, if you have gray hair and want to keep it strong and healthy for longer, tourmaline-based products are a great option for keeping the hair hydrated while eliminating frizz and making the hair appear smoother and shinier.

6. Use a strong-hold spray to make your curls stay

As opposed to pigmented hair, gray hair can be more resistant to holding curls. For this reason, when it comes to curling gray hair, it’s recommended to use a strong-hold hairspray or styling product to make your curls stay for longer. 

Make sure to apply it after curling to set and maintain the shape of your curls.

7. Experiment with different curling techniques

Experiment with different curling techniques to find the one that works best for your gray hair. You can try using a curling iron, curling wand, or hot rollers. Explore different methods to achieve your desired curls.

Just make sure that you avoid overlapping heat. Exposing the same section of gray hair repeatedly to high temperatures can cause damage and reduce the risk of breakage, so move the curling tool along the hair strand smoothly.

FAQ

Can you curl gray hair?

Yes, you can curl gray hair. Gray hair can be curled using various heat styling tools like curling irons or curling wands. Use lower heat settings to prevent damage and use a heat protectant for added protection. Experiment with techniques to achieve desired curls.

How do you keep gray hair curly?

To keep gray hair curly, use styling products designed for curly hair, such as curl-enhancing creams or mousses. Apply these products to damp hair, scrunching them in to enhance and define the curls. 

Avoid excessive brushing or touching to maintain the shape, and use a strong-hold hairspray to set the curls in place.

Does a curling iron turn my hair yellow?

No, a curling iron does not turn your hair yellow. The color change in hair is primarily determined by the amount of melanin pigment present. The use of a curling iron does not directly affect the color of the hair, so it will not cause it to turn yellow. 

However, excessive heat styling without proper protection and without using the right tools can lead to damage and dryness, which may affect the overall appearance and health of your hair.