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All About Hair...and So Much More.
Welcome to All About Hair—where education meets inspiration for stylists and hair lovers alike.
Whether you’re starting your career behind the chair or just obsessed with all things hair, this channel is your go-to spot for real tips, honest advice, and plenty of inspiration.
You’ll find pro techniques, career-building tools, and everyday hair hacks—plus the encouragement to grow with confidence and creativity.
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All About Hair...and So Much More.
EP 342: How To Slow Gray Hair With Science-Backed Habits
Gray strands don’t arrive as a failure; they arrive as a signal. We explore what pushes hair toward silver sooner—scalp inflammation, oxidative stress, and nutrient gaps—and share a practical roadmap to slow the process with habits that also boost overall health. From the truth about genetics’ limited role to how sun exposure targets your hairline and part, we connect the science with simple, sustainable steps you can start today.
COOLA Organic Scalp Spray & Hair Sunscreen Mist with SPF 30
amika mirrorball high shine + protect antioxidant
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Hey guys, and welcome back to the show. So today we're talking about that silver shimmer that starts showing up in the mirror sometimes way before it's invited to the party. Gray hair. And listen, I love it. I celebrate it, but I also completely understand wanting to slow it down, pause it, or at least not have it sprint toward white like it's late for an appointment, if you know what I mean. I want to start with something interesting. One of the experts I follow, stylist and trichologist Tiffany Nicole, explained that going gray is literally melanin saying, I'm out of here. And when melanin fades, hair doesn't just look different, it acts different. It's coarser, it's drier, it's wirier, if that's a word. And sometimes it's really, really stubborn. And yes, genetics do play a part, but a lot smaller part than we thought. Tricologist Jay Smaw says that there's really only one gene actually linked to graying. One. Let that sink in. That means the gray patterns you share with your family, they might just come from shared habits, shared lifestyles, shared love for sun-soaked vacations, or you know, the late night snacks you all pretend don't count. The point is, we can influence this story. We're not powerless. We might not be able to reverse hair that's already snow white and gray, but slowing the process, yep, evidence says we can absolutely do that. Welcome to All About Hair, where we talk shop, share stories, and spill the secrets behind great hair and a great career. I'm your host, Denise Keilitz, a former salon owner, educator, and a lifelong hair crusader. Whether you're a new stylist building your book, or just someone who loves learning about all things hair, you're in the right place. So let's break down why grays happen faster for some people. Inflammation on the scalp, oxidative stress in the body, and nutrient shortages. And all three of those things are connected deeply to your daily routine. The food you eat, the sun, the supplements, the sleep, the habits. Yeah, we're going to talk about all of that today. So let's talk about food first, because your hair is the last thing your body nourishes when vitamins come through town. Jay Small literally said, your hair is a nice to have, not a need to have. I had to laugh at that, but also, come on now, that's facts. Your body divvies out nutrients to your organs first before it checks in on your strands. So if you're eating too many processed foods, think drive-through, microwaveable meals, things with ingredient lists longer than your weekend plans, you're creating oxidative stress on the inside. And oxidative stress isn't just a skin thing or a wellness buzzword. It's wear and tear at the cellular level. It speeds aging, including hair aging. Experts recommend loading your plate with vitamin B12, folate, zinc, copper, especially copper, like avocados, leafy greens, eggs, clean protein. But here's the twist. The amount of food your body would need to really impact melanin, it's a lot. I don't think you can eat that much. That would be enough eggs to open a brunch cafe, or enough avocados to offend any millennial out there. So yeah, clean up the diet. But also you might need reinforcements, which brings us to supplements. And before you roll your eyes at supplement claims, listen, they actually ran a clinical study. 88% of users saw less gray hair regrowth after six months. That includes copper, iron, selenium, B vitamins, all the nutrients we know that help the hair follicle produce pigment. And again, hair follicle is picky. It wants specific profiles of antioxidants and minerals. But even J Small emphasized it works best paired with whole body movement, you know, like walks, light exercise, weights, yoga. These things, these movements, signal your system to allocate the nutrients better and it reduces inflammation. Okay, now let's talk about the sun. And I know you weren't expecting a sunscreen commercial inside a gray hair episode, but here it comes because it matters. According to the experts, UV exposure is one of the biggest triggers for graying around the front hairline and the part line. Those areas take the hit first because that's where the sun hits. You can imagine that, right? Now there is an organic sunscreen mist by Kula. It's got an SPF of 30, it's non-greasy, protects both scalp and hair, and yes, it works even if you sweat. I will make sure to put that link in my show notes so you can find it there. Okay, now let's talk hair care routine next. If you've been using the same shampoo and conditioner for a really long time, it might be time to upgrade. Experts say to treat hair care like skincare, meaning that ingredients matter. You want anti-inflammatory elements, moisture, gentle cleansers, and UV protectants built in. One product that made the expert list is Amica's Mirror Ball Highshine and Protect Antioxidant Shampoo. It's sulfate-free and packed with antioxidants to preserve vibrancy in your hair's remaining pigment. And yes, the link will be in my show notes. And now, the wild card tip. Skip the hair dye at the first gray siding. I know, I know it sounds bananas, but experts say that putting color on the scalp too early increases stress and inflammation, which can actually create more gray hairs. So instead, they want you to see a gray as communication. A little hair mail from your body saying, hey buddy, maybe we're low on nutrients, maybe the scalp needs TLC. And yes, I know, no routine is 100% guarantee. Amazing habits can slow the process big time, but life still goes on, right? Some people gray early no matter what, but most people will preserve pigment longer if they reduce inflammation, improve diet, incorporate supplements wisely, and protect from UV. Plus, create better oxidative balance in the body. And oxidative balance, that's stuff like quitting smoking, lowering alcohol, sleeping more, handling stress better, all those things. We're all trying to do those things anyway, right? Why not just do it for your hair as well as your overall health? So here's what I hope you walk away with today. Gray hair isn't a mistake, it isn't a deadline, it's a transition. You can honor it, you can delay it, you can slow it, or you could support it, you can respond to it, you have options, you have agency, and science finally agrees. I love that for us. Alright, that's it for today. Take good care of those strands and that scalp. And remember, when you know better, you do better. Thanks for tuning in to All About Hair. If you loved this episode, hit subscribe, leave us a review, and share it with a fellow stylist or hair loving friend. You want more tips, tools, and behind the scenes goodness? Follow me on YouTube or head to my website at deniseKeilitz.com. Yes, I know it's hard to spell, so don't worry, the link is in the show notes. Until next time, keep learning, keep creating, and keep loving what you do.
