Why Ditch the Dye? 10 reasons to try
Updated: Mar 10
10 Advantages and Benefits of Ditching the Hair Dye and letting your natural hair shine! Why I stopped coloring mine at 48 and embraced my gray hair.
I chose to step ‘outside of the box’ and to ditch the hair dye for many reasons but the main two for me would definitely be the constant stress and frustration of the new root growth showing within weeks of colouring.
That and the time. The stress and the time.
Isn’t it ironic to see those two words together? Why would we give our time to stress?
We colour our hair to feel good about it and we do, for a few weeks. Then we are worried about the new growth showing, again. Many of us can even be found chopping the top off of our heads in selfies to hide the greys. I know I did! Then you are paying for yet another trip to the salon or buying a new box of dye.
I started to recognize and feel the weight of this cycle and I decided life had enough things demanding my time, attention and money. We know life has no problem finding ways to add stress. I wasn’t willing to pay any currency to do this to myself any longer, so I broke the cycle.
Now here we are 11 months into my natural silver hair grow out journey.
It’s been full of doubts and uncertainties, wonders and curiosities. It’s had me questioning my views on aging and learning about positive language and the differences between an anti and a pro aging perspective.
I am now in the fondly referred to grombre or gray ombre stage stage of my grow out.
The upper quarter or half of my hair is natural and the lower half is the previously dyed colour. Some people really struggle watching themselves and their hair through the process but I have quite enjoyed it. I have decided to embrace and celebrate it. I couldn’t be happier that I stuck with it and didn't give in to dye my hair even through the harder days and trust me there are many.
10 advantages and benefits of Ditching the Dye and letting your natural hair shine!
1. Healthier Hair: Hair dyes often contain chemicals that can damage the hair shaft and lead to dryness and breakage. Embracing your natural colour allows your hair to grow and maintain its natural health.
2. Reduced Allergic Reactions: Some individuals may be allergic to the chemicals present in hair dyes.
Going natural eliminates the risk of experiencing allergic reactions or irritations associated with hair dye.
3. Time and Cost Savings: Regular hair dyeing sessions can be time-consuming and expensive. By going natural, you save time and money that would otherwise be spent on purchasing hair dye products or visiting the salon.
4. Low Maintenance: Natural hair colour typically requires less maintenance than dyed hair. You won't have to worry about roots showing or the fading of colour, making your hair care routine simpler.
5. Authenticity and Confidence: Embracing your natural hair colour allows you to express your authentic self. This can boost your confidence and self-esteem as you embrace and appreciate your unique features.
6. Environmental Impact: Hair dye production and application can have environmental consequences due to the chemicals involved. Choosing to go natural reduces the environmental impact associated with the manufacturing and disposal of hair dye products.
7. Avoiding Chemical Exposure: Hair dyes often contain chemicals like ammonia and peroxide. By avoiding these chemicals, you reduce your exposure to potentially harmful substances.
8. Versatility in Styling: Natural hair often provides a versatile base for styling. You can experiment with different cuts, textures, and styles without the constraints of maintaining a specific colour.
9. Aging Gracefully: Embracing your natural hair colour as you age can be a graceful and authentic way to navigate the natural process of getting older. It can also be a positive example for others in embracing their own aging journey.
10. Cultural or Personal Identity: For some individuals, their natural hair colour is closely tied to their cultural or personal identity. Embracing and celebrating this can foster a deeper connection with one's heritage or individuality.
The decision to ditch the hair dye and go natural is a personal one. When you have grey hair it is also a very different change due to societal pressure. We feel pressure that our perception and reception in society may change. Grey hair isn't for old people. Grey hair is so common in many people in their 20's and 30's. It is a hair colour. Many girls and young women feel pressured into coloring their hair from a young age, often told their hair is flat or mousy. So much of our time, money and energy is spent in this area of our lives.
I am learning to love and accept my hair as it grows in now. My hair has surprised me and not at all grown in as I had hoped for or even anticipated. It's so interesting to go from dreading the silvers and white hairs to quickly wishing you had even more of them! It's a journey of letting go and trusting the process.
I love growing and changing along with my hair and I am so happy that my hair is so long, so I have plenty of time to enjoy this transformation.
I feel passionate about normalizing grey hair in society for women of all ages.
In order for that to happen people need to see women with grey hair of all ages. They also need to hear, know and learn that it is fully OK TO GO GRAY ANYDAY IN ANYWAY and then the conversation can go away.
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Where are you at in the journey?
Have you thought about letting your natural hair grow in or to let you silvers shine!? Are you already transitioned?
Do you have anything to contribute? Please say hello in the comments section and let me know where you are from and
of course welcome to the community.
🤍🩷 I am Jenn @embracingthesilverlining on Instagram where I also share an abundance of support, encouragement and education (daily updates, my hair shares and stares etc.)
The entire Silver Sisters community there is waiting for you. It's where I first found support and inspiration. That and of course Pinterest too! You can find a community of women on similar paths.
There are women there for curiosity about the grey and there are many women in different phases of their natural grow out (you could find a grow out partner or search for someone on a similar timeline to your grow out).
And of course we also have the fully grown in beautiful, silky, shiny, salt and pepper, white, gray and silver sparkly stranded women that came before us and paved the way.
