When to Start Adding Gray Hair Products to Your Routine

As a beauty editor, I find myself discussing gray hair quite a bit, but at 30 years old, I’ve yet to find the first sign of one on my own head. There’s a ton of incredible products for gray prevention and treatment on the market, so when is the right time to start using them? The answer I found recently is that it’s never too soon. Gray hair care is ultimately hair care that can be beneficial for just about any head of hair.

“Just like our skin-care routines evolve as we age, our hair and scalp deserve that same level of thoughtful care,” says trichologist, celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of Arey, Jay Small. “The scalp ages six times faster than the skin on our face, which is something most people are shocked to learn. Supporting it early helps ensure your hair stays healthy, full and vibrant in the years ahead.”

Featured Experts

• Jay Small is a trichologist, celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of Arey
• Gretchen Friese is a trichologist and hairstylist with Bosley MD and Keranique

When Should Someone Start Using Gray Hair-Care Products?

“There is no single age when graying begins. I see it start at 25 for some people and at 40 for others. What matters most is not the number, but whether there is still active melanin in the follicle. That is when prevention is most effective,” says Small. He notes that generally people tend to notice their hair looking a little dull, flat or less vibrant in their late 20s and early 30s, which can be a sign that follicles need more support.

“The first place most people see change is at the natural part and along the hairline,” says Small. “These early grays are like the first fine lines in skin. They are small signs that the biology underneath needs extra support.” Keeping an eye out for these early signs can help indicate it may be time to consider adding some specialized products to your routine.

The timing of when to start trying to prevent or treat your gray hair is all about when the grays start to bother you, says trichologist and hairstylist with Bosley MD and Keranique, Gretchen Friese. “Some people desire to embrace their silver hair and some don’t want to see the tiniest sheen of the new hair color growing on their head. It is a personal preference.”

 “As a hairstylist and trichologist, I have examined countless follicles, and the truth is that everyone’s hair shows some form of aging when you look closely. The sooner you support the hair you love, the longer it looks like the hair you recognize in the mirror,” says Small.

The Transition to Gray Hair Care

Small says we should think of it less like we’re switching our hair-care routine and more like we’re expanding it. “Most people do not need to abandon the shampoo or conditioner they already enjoy. What makes the difference is adding targeted follicle care as soon as you notice changes in pigment or density,” says Small.

Small says a supplement like Not Today, Grey ($40) can be a good place to start, along with a serum like To The Root ($55), which works directly at the root where pigment is created. Friese notes that while most people can’t totally avoid graying, there are products like BosleyMD Revive+ Densifying Treatment Foam ($44) that can help reverse some grays while helping with density and growth.