Tackling mature hair problems: greying hair

"Grey hair, which is actually a combination of white hairs and normal coloured hair, can be more difficult to manage because the white hairs tend to be a little drier," says trichologist Glenn Lyons. 

"Hair goes white when the pigment granules (melanin) cease to form in the hair shaft. It appears to be genetic as far as age is concerned, starting at any time including during teenage years, although this is unusual. 

"However, it is rare for a person in their late twenties not to have a grey hair or two, and this is more progressive with age."

Amanda Dicker from The Chapel in Tunbridge Wells, Kent says we are wrong to assume grey is something that needs to be covered. 

"Why are we still masking it with dense and matte all-over colours?" she asks. 

"By doing this we are letting the public know it is something to cover up and be ashamed of. Keep it positive by introducing different options - we need to speak to clients about incorporating their greys, and we have the power to make it much softer and multi-tonal with different techniques." 

Although some people choose to wear their grey with pride, many turn to colour to give them a boost. "To brighten and add visual texture to the hair, I always recommend adding different tones of colour," says Beverly. 

"Warm honey and caramel tones can be added to blonde hair with rich colours for brunettes. Bleaches should be avoided as they can strip the hair of colour and will make both hair and complexion appear dull." 

Joico Re:nu Age Defy Re:nual Serum claims to reverse the greying process by inhibiting the development of white hairs and creating the optimum environment for growth of healthier, more youthful hair.

Price: £18.76+VAT

Call Joico on 0845 071 2326, or go to www.renuagedefy.com

Revitalise dull and lacklustre hair colour with Osmo Colour Mission Silverising Shampoo. This sulphate-free formula is effective in enhancing silver tones in white or grey hair, leaving hair shiny and soft while breathing new life into colour.

Price: £7.50

Call Osmo on 0141 812 5000, or go to www.osmo.uk.com 

Rusk Sensories Bright Shampoo contains camomile and lavender and brightens and revitalises white, grey and silver hair. 

Price: £9.29

Call Rusk on 0870 5133191, or go to www.rusk1.com

Goldwell ammonia-free colour Nectaya promises to repair the hair while colouring, covering 100% of greys and offering up to three levels of lift.

Call Goldwell on 01323 432100, or go to www.goldwell.com/nectaya