Embracing the natural course of growing out your gray hair has gone from being unthinkable to something inspiring and even aspirational. It’s not even exclusively a sign of aging—genetics, stress, and nutritional deficiencies have been proven to decrease melanocytes in hair follicles just as prematurely, with some having them as early as their teens. While we associate going gray with those closer to their 60s, Asians are proven to have them as soon as their late thirties. 

And while modern technology and innovations have given us more options to color over gray hair, ranging from temporary fixes such as spray-on, powder, and stick root touch-ups, to longer-lasting hair dyes, there’s something liberating about going gray. Lately, it’s looked even downright glamorous thanks to the likes of Andie MacDowell, Tracee Ellis Ross, and locally, Dawn Zulueta who are all celebrating the beauty of gray hair. So if you’re ready to embrace the silver, here are the tips and product recommendations from experts and actual people to keep your hair healthy and looking foxy.  

Meet the experts

Rose Velasco and Jude Hipolito, technical and creative director of JuRo Salon Exclusif 

The Science of Silver 

When it comes to hair porosity, gray hair is its final boss. It can’t hold on to melanocytes, leading to a reduction in color pigments in hair. According to Velasco, most Filipinos’ gray hair can start out as a dark slate shade and gradually become a transparent, glass-like white through the years. Velasco refers to the latter color as “resistant white,” because it’s also tough to bleach and dye.

Anyone who has gone through the bi-monthly upkeep of root retouching knows the struggle. “Gray hair takes at least 15 minutes longer to color and treat, which makes it more prone to breakage,” she explains.

What’s causing the decrease of melanocytes is also what’s causing the lack of keratin that happens as your hair goes gray, creating unpredictable changes in texture and even thickness. “Some hairs are smooth and straight, while others are wiggly,” Hipolito describes. “This variation in texture also makes gray hair more fragile and prone to breakage.”

Understanding these two changes are key in order to have a realistic approach to growing out your grays. But even getting there is a whole different story, requiring psychological readiness and for some, support from your loved ones and peers. For many, gray hair signifies the transition into a new chapter of life, one often accompanied by a mix of emotions. But for some, this shift becomes an opportunity to embrace change and redefine beauty on their own terms.

What to Know Before You Go Gray

With advancements in hair science and freedom of expression, we have more options than just letting it go or covering it all up. Velasco advises, “Treatments must be personalized to your needs.”

For those who have a mix of gray, white, and dark hair and want a less drastic transition in-between appointments, Velasco does a mix of lowlights and highlights for a technique called gray blending. “If clients have more white than dark hair and want to lessen it, I’ll do lowlights to blend gray hair. For clients with a few white hairs, I do more highlights,” she explains.

But for silver foxes with a full head of natural white hair, Velasco advises against coloring it. The long processing time on resistant hair would be more irritating and drying. Instead, she suggests making it stand out more. “We can go platinum white or fashion gray,” she suggests. “It will, however, involve some bleaching to make all the hairs a uniform shade, followed by toning to remove yellowish undertones, creating a trendy silver-gray look.”

All the Products to Help You Embrace—and Elevate—Your Gray

Yellowing and frizziness are gray hair’s two biggest concerns. Prevention is your best bet by staying out of the sun—or wearing a hat when you can’t help it. Saltwater, chlorinated water, and even any tinted products that touch the hair around your hairline can all affect your gray hair’s texture and tone. Here are the top picks for keeping gray hair free of residue, smooth and soft, and never brassy.

Tried-And-Tested Hair Care for Gray Hair

For when only one step will do: One ‘n Only Shiny Silver Ultra Conditioning Shampoo 

Purple shampoos deposit pigment to cancel out the yellowness without making hair feel stiff and dry.

For preventing yellowing from the sun: L’Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Silver Shampoo 

L’Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Silver Shampoo

₱1145 AT Bench Fix Salon

“The yellowing can sneak up on you, especially after long days outside. This shampoo does the trick to keep that silver sharp and knock out the dullness,” says actor Jake Macapagal, who sports a head of salt and pepper hair. “But I use it sparingly, maybe once every couple of months; I don’t want to overdo it and dry things out.”

For preventing hair breakage: The Eco Shift Color Protect and Color Toning – Fire’s Passion Shampoo Bar with hibiscus extract and clementine oil. 

“It is also touted to delay graying,” says writer and stylist Pierra Calasanz-Labrador. “Though this wasn’t my intention, I was pleasantly surprised to discover dark regrowth after a few months’ use!”

A sulfate-free option: L’Oréal Everpure Brass Toning Purple Shampoo 

L’Oréal Everpure Brass Toning Purple Shampoo

₱425 AT Watsons

A sulfate-free formula that Calasanz-Labrador swears by for being gentler on her hair and scalp.

For deep violet toning: Matrix So Silver Purple Shampoo for Blonde and Silver Hair 

For Sally T. Azanza, who decided to go gray after her hair started to break off, this shampoo with deep violet pigments tones down brassiness gently and effectively.

A protective serum: Kerasilk Specialists Liquid Cuticle Filler 

“Humidity can exacerbate the unruliness of gray hair. Anti-frizz products add shine and smoothness to make it behave better,” Velasco says. “Heat tools and direct sun exposure also fade gray or white hair, making them turn yellowish. This also protects hair from heat.”

For split ends: Verb Ghost Oil 

“To keep the ends soft,” explains Velasco. This contains moringa oil, bamboo extract, hydrolyzed soy protein, and vitamin F to work in synergy in strengthening hair and retaining moisture.

For taming frizz: Kerasilk Smoothing Shampoo and Kerasilk Smoothing Conditioner 

Velasco’s top pick to keep hair manageable even as its texture changes.