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Gray Hair Mysteries, Solved: Why It Grows in Patches; Solutions for Beards and Brows

by Grace Gold (Subscribe to Grace Gold's posts)
Posted Apr 8th 2010 at 7:00AM  
57 Comments
Share

The Touchback gray root marker at work. Courtesy Photo

Gray roots are a hot topic with StyleList readers.

When we reported on the TouchBack marker last month -- a new hair marker designed to instantly mask gray roots with believable, temporary color -- we could have never anticipated the 1,300 reader comments and questions that flooded in about the how's and why's of graying hair, along with requests for more details on this handy little temporary color tool that helps you cheat extra time between dye jobs.

So we asked celebrity hair colorist Jason Backe - who uses the TouchBack to keep some of Hollywood's most beautiful locks looking vibrant and fresh on the red carpet -- to answer your most burning gray root questions.

Q: As I continue in the work force, I need all the advantages I can get. How do I keep my hair color looking young?
A: The number one rule - cover your grays! No matter how gorgeous your gray hair, it ages you drastically. Keep an eye out for trends that are age-appropriate. Right now, tone-on-tone variation is super sexy and modern.

Q: Why do some strips of gray hair grow out in 'skunk-like' patches?
A: Where and how the grays come in really depends on genetics. A lot of times when you see someone with a gray streak, it's actually caused by a birthmark on the scalp. I have in the past however strategically colored hair - covering all the gray except for a dramatic streak in the front.

Q: My natural hair color is a dark brunette, but as I've gotten older and my coloring has changed, I feel like dark brunette is too harsh for my face. Do you find this happens with clients? What's your solution?
A: You're not alone, lovely. Many women find a single process brunette too heavy or harsh-looking as they get older. I love to see a few lighter brown or dark blond highlights around the face just to give a deep brunette some softness and movement - it's amazing how just a few highlights can brighten your complexion!

Q: Can TouchBack be used on beards?
A: Yes. Use the accompanying comb as a guard, lightly press down on the hair with your marker. If you mess up and color outside of your beard and onto the skin, you can take a wet washcloth and easily remove the color.

Q: Does TouchBack test on animals?
A: No!

Q: Do I have to worry about TouchBack sweating off or running on a hot day?
A: TouchBack can be used everyday. Just be wary when you're sweating excessively, because it might run minimally.

Q: Does TouchBack work on white hair?
A: Yes, it works as a touchup for white roots, although you may need to saturate the hair more with the marker.

Q: Does TouchBack work on eyebrows?
A: No, unfortunately, the formula is only designed for the head and facial hair.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: To tackle gray hairs in your brows, try a tinted eye brow mascara like Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel, Benefit Speed Brow, and 3 Custom Colors Brow Gel. The pigmented gel formulas will adhere to your brow hairs and blend the gray strands. You can also get them professionally tinted at most salons.]

Q: Does TouchBack have a scent?
A: No, there are no harsh chemicals in it such as ammonia or peroxide.

For more info on the TouchBack marker, check out their website.

Love your gray locks? Then you're right on trend. Some very hip celebrities are going gray, on purpose.
Read All Comments
Filed under: Hair, Hair Color
Tags: gray hair, gray roots, GrayHair, GrayRoots, Jason Backe, JasonBacke
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READER COMMENTS

(57)Add A Comment

Mark, 4-08-2010, 9:21PM

Half a star vote downvote upReport
Mark

Grace, you are graven mistaken. I REFUSED to dye my gray hair and this is another dumb article about this so called "marker". What is worse you said about you must NOT have gray hair at workplace. That is dumb. Real dumb!! It is my rights to have gray hair if God wanted me to have gray hair, so it will be gray hair! Sure does scared away dumbest women who failed to see my heart and not for who I am with my gray hair since 18. I use it against those sore losers like YOU! YOU UNDERSTAND!!?? I would still hire gray haired people if my company an empire and I intent to do so and will not hire you because of what you said. Sorry!!!

We all are aware of discrimination and I will put this to an end with my National Employment Lottery System (NELS) to end all discrimination for once for all. Then go for Globial Employment Lottery System (GELS) so there is no discrimination.

Grace, what you said really upset and I will make sure I will never read anything from you or this site again! It is a boycott. Sorry!! You lose!

Reply »

TONI, 4-08-2010, 9:36PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
TONI

hey, chill....and check the definition of "dumb"....AND ....it sounds like this article has hit a nerve....ima betting that you may have heard someone mention your grey hair ages you.....just a guess....

»

Rene, 4-09-2010, 2:07AM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
Rene

Well, I've got news for you: Even the police officers are recommended to color their hair, because it gives them a more youthful appearance.... I'm very glad that you are comfortable with your hair color, but try not to project your emotions on others. My grandmother used to say, "If the barn needs painting, then paint it". She pasted away @ 84 years 'young'....with beautiful chestnut-light brown hair...And I thought she was absolutely beautiful.

»

mark c, 4-09-2010, 2:21AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
mark c

mark you are f'n MORON LOLLLLLLL. your sentence structure is beyond words. if GOD wants you to have gray hair......? do you cut your hair? why? didnt GOD want it to be long. what about your nails? if GOD wanted you to be clean wouldnt he make it rain everyday with soapy water? dumb huh? look up the word dumb. your "company an empire?" i do not think so. ever seen a coma? it looks like a clipped nail, but oh, you dont do that because GOD wants them long. here is some advice. if you are going to pretend to be someone you are NOT! learn ENGLISH!

»

krisi, 4-10-2010, 10:13PM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
krisi

I dont mind the gray, it's not bad so far but what about the loss of hair? I'm losing alot of hair and it's frightening. Do you have some inexpensive ideas to get my hair back? Thin hair with bald spots doesnt look good no matter where you are.

Reply »

Jan, 4-08-2010, 9:41PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Jan

Hey, Gray is okay in my book, but if you want to color that is okay too. Don't stress over it.

Reply »

Clara, 4-08-2010, 9:51PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Clara

I feel lucky that I'm 50 and haven't had to deal with grey hair yet but I think when I do that I will for at least a while use color to slow it down. That in between time when you're starting to grey is a very awkward time and can be very aging. Esoecially when you're dealing with aging skin as well. This marker seems likje it's a good way to stretch out the times in between coloring and it's gentle. That's a big plus for me. I'm not afraid of greying it can look very distinguished and sophisticated on women. What I don't like is that in between stage and would rather ease into grey hair in a way where it's mostly or all grey when I embrace it.

Reply »

pepperwaynick, 4-08-2010, 10:33PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
pepperwaynick

I understand what you are saying! I quit coloring my hair with permanent color and used the temporary color until my hair was long enough to cut. I am almost 55 and have gray hair. I have not colored my hair in almost 5 years. I have grown it out and donated it an it is below my shoulders now.I still have a little brownish black in the back! I thought about coloring to make me appear younger but everyone raves about my hair and begs me not to color again. I think about how fast my hair grows (1+ inches per month) and have chosen not to at this time.
This is a personal choice and you should color or not to suit yourself and not let others choices bother you!
We are all beautiful!
I have embraced my gray and I love it!

»

Bj, 4-09-2010, 3:05AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Bj

Hey, Clara...I'm curious. Did late graying run in your family? I'm 52, almost 53, and still have no gray. I've never met anyone else my age that doesn't have lots of gray. When I have asked anyone or tried to research why I'm not gray, they always say genetics. But everyone in my family, for several generations, started graying in their 20s (one brother actually started at 16) so genetics is not the answer in my case. I'm just really curious because people always ask me the secret, and I can't figure out if I'm just a freak or if I did something right along the way that I could encourage others to do!

»

Molly, 4-08-2010, 9:57PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Molly

Thank you for the information on aging brunette hair. I believe that women look younger now in the 40's , 50's and 60's than our mother's did. Having the right hair color helps. I have a question about my hair... I'm in my mid 50's, and I've been coloring my dark brunette hair since I was in my late 20's. I've been trying to go lighter as I get older, however, my hair seems to be resistant to color lately. Is there a brand of color that I could try. I've gone from salon to salon , and none of these brands work on my hair anymore... Goldwell, DiFiaba, Swartskopf, TiGi, and a few others. I'm desperate for some suggestions. Thanks

Reply »

Mary, 4-08-2010, 10:34PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Mary

Gray hair is very resistant to color. Like you, I was a dark brunette until I became gray in my 50's. Because the gray was resistant to anything but a very dark brown, I went for years with dark brown. When I discovered that the darker brown ages women, because their skin tone changes as you get older, I wanted to go to a lighter brown with highlights. My stylist told me the best way to do this would be to bleach out all the color and then apply the color I wanted. And, it worked. I would suggest you go this route.

»

d1babyface, 4-08-2010, 10:50PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
d1babyface

HAVE YOU TRIED BLEACHING YOUR HAIR TO STRIP OFF COLOR THEN DYING IT..IT WORKED ON ME WHEN NOTHING ELSE DID.

»

lewis, 4-08-2010, 10:07PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
lewis

My cousin,female,had beautiful long grey hair.... at 17 years of age

Reply »

Charles Carter, 4-08-2010, 10:17PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Charles Carter

I've found that NO hair is better than any color of hair. Just call me Mr. Pragmatic.

Reply »

Shauna, 4-08-2010, 10:36PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Shauna

You know that strip of grey hair she is about to color is the best looking thing on her. It's real. The other part I can't trust cause she has manipulated it to what she thinks others want to see, and she is telling the world to be herself is not to be worthy of love. We all need to embrace gray and stop spending all this money to color our hair. We are women, and we should be proud of the fact we are no longer little girls. Talk about a step backwards! To dye our hair is to admit that we are not good enough just the way we are, and just who we are. And that my dear friends is just not true!!!

Reply »

Carol, 4-08-2010, 10:24PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Carol

I think your comments are great. Thumbs up! I hit the wrong button to vote for your comment (sorry). I think gray is wonderful on people.

»

mimimama, 4-08-2010, 10:59PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
mimimama

Go natural! This is a way to get your money week after week! Who cares if hair is white, gray or brown--just let it be natural. I've had natural hair for 20 years and get remarks daily about my nice thick hair. And I'm a CEO making well into 6 figures! I don't have time to spend hours in a hairdresser's chair!

Reply »

TONI, 4-08-2010, 10:30PM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
TONI

hey, Molly...ive been a Goldwell colorist for almost 30 years....i use a formula specially for grey....more color than peroxide....and MUST use the "N" series.....hae your local colorist use at least 10 - 15 milliliters more color than the usual half and half formula......

Reply »

Jim, 4-08-2010, 10:37PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Jim

Mark: I am a 44 year-old guy with a lot of gray hair coming in, and I will NOT leave the house without having it covered with dye. If you enjoy the look of ugly gray hair and the way it ages you, so be it, but you need not attack others who feel differently. By the way, there really IS such a thing as age discrimination in the workplace, and I have experienced this (before I started covering that ugly gray) on a few occasions. Like it or not, admit it or not, we live in a youth-obsessed culture, and the gray-haired applicants do indeed get passed over for someone younger more often than anyone will ever realize. I will NEVER go gray!

Reply »

De, 4-09-2010, 12:41AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
De

i am a 53yr. old African-American female, and my grey hair began by the time i was in high school. That is when i began to color my hair. i used to color my hair an auburn color. Now, i like my loctician (dread-locks; locs) to use browns & gold tones. these colors work very well together. My locs have dark blonde, medium brown & warm brown. the grey (30-40% maybe more), becomes a light brown. I have tried to let my grey go uncolor but i can't do it. I look so much older than i'm really am. whenever i color my hair i feel so much better. It seems to wash away 15 yrs. from my face wow! I probably nine -times-out-of-ten will keep my grey covered. there is how the young folks say "there's no shame in my game".

Reply »

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