There are probably several evils faced when deciding to grow your natural hair colour out. One of the worst would have to be the challenge of dealing with your REGROWTH.
It is the nemesis you have been keeping at bay for years by dying your hair every 4-6 weeks, or for some the need arises every fornight.
- Relentless
- Unstoppable
- And initially – awkward and possibly shameful!
So what to do? What is your plan of attack to counter this invading force?
Well you have quite a few options. Some require more guts, determination and cold hard cash than others, and some may seem like a good idea at the time and turn out to not have been worth the bother.
So let’s go over it!!
Strategies for handling regrowth;
1. Tinting to blend or cover the regrowth line. There are a few reasonable strategies that involve bleaching and tinting intermittently over the regrowth line. This will involve having “foils” or “streaks” put through in possibly a mix of highlghts and low lights to blur the line. This can be visually effective but still involves colouring – so will leave a permanent mark and will therefore prolong your transition.
2. Magical makeover. We have all seen fabulous before and after photos of burnt out hair with visible regrowth being tranformed into well conditioned all over Silver hair. This is a salon treatment and most likely will not be possible with products available on the retail market for you to use at home. This can be a lengthy visit at the salon and very expensive. Depending on the condition of your hair at the start of this and how your hair reacts to the processing chemicals if can invove more than one session and possibly up to $1000 to achieve. And it is not maintainance free and while it can look fabulous, again, it is a permanent hair colour solution so will still result in a regrowth line.
3. Temporary product cover. This can be a great solution as these products can mask the regrowth and simply wash out. Some may infact have beneficial properties for your hair and don’t leave any permanent residue. Some of these however can be overly perfumed or have a waxy smell to them and can feel think and sticky. They are generally low toxic and can be used with discretion or when you feel the need. Overall probably a fairly good solution.
4. Fashion accessories. Although this idea may seem somewhat comical at the outset, using hats and scarves to cover your hair through these trying times is definitely a non-invasive method of covering up the regrowth. The downside may be adopting a fashion style you are not used to or altogether comfortable with, as in wearing a scarf on your head every day to work. There are clearly sophisticed styles that can be achieved, but where less care is taken this can devolve into looking like a washer-woman. This is a strategy that can be employed at whim and involves no chemicals.
5. Let it grow. This is the simplest method in terms of planning, expense and consideration of getitng organised. But one of the most difficult as this involves truly embracing your Silver. Not many are ready to do this.
6. Go the Shave. This is the most radical solution. It certainly does away with any need to “deal with your regrowth line” or burnt out over-dyed and damaged hair, but you will have to be very brave to take this step. It is, however a great opportunity to get a scalp tattoo – just sayin’.
The method you choose will influence how easy or challenging your regrowth months become.
Inches and Months
Inches 1-2
Generally with all strategies inches 1-2 and unavoidable. Everyone will have developed some regrowth before they take their chosen action.
Inches 2-4
Things start to get interesting at inches 2-4 as this is no longer in the “I need to get to the salon” territory and clearly has broken out into the land of “what am I doing?” There may be panic and there will be reactions from others. This will be a true test of your metal. These months too you are still probably in the phase where there are some folks you are seeing for the first time since you started your transition, so you are maybe doing alot of work managing objections and dealing with challenging remarks.
Inches 5-7
Inches 5-7 are tough. There is little chance this can be covered effectively with temporary product and if you are like me your hairdresser has cut you off from any further bleaching or lightening to help you blend the line as your hair is probably cooked by now. For many this is still not quite long enough to go for a pixie without looking masculine, so a truly tough time. But hope is around the corner!
Getting past this stage is liberating!
Once you get some length you can opt for a short “do” to get rid of all the over-processed hair. For some and totally dependent on what your emerging Silver is like and the dye you are growing out, it can look like a deliberate Balayage or Ombre.
Beyond this point you have some real options. Get a chic bob or some exaggerated layers to remove the old dyed hair. If your goal is to keep the length chances are you have gotten used to your two-tone look and most of those around you have too.
But life goes on, and just when you feel like you have a handle on this life can throw you a curve ball – like a Wedding or a Job Interview to attend. And you might be tempted to crawl back to your hairdresser and ask for a semi-permanent tint to see you through.
Take note this can help alot but can be a backward step, as even a semi permanent can leave residue which is obvious against new Silver hair.
Getting through these milestones takes courage and determination and you will have earned every single Silver Strand once you are done. It is a colourful journey rendered in a multitude of greays, silvers and whites and just like the end result will be exquisitely unique to you.
The SILVER VIXENS online community is here to support, encourage and hold your hand through the entire process.
If you aren’t already part of the SILVER VIXENS Facebook Group then now is the time to get on board!
If you are just starting your Silver Transition get hold of our FREE eJournal!