Gray Hair: Prevent It? Color It? Embrace It?

An email came:

Some years ago, Tonya, you wrote that you'd consider going gray at age 60. Well, old girl, you’re there. When are you going to take the plunge? 

When I wrote that gray-at-sixty thing, I thought my sixties were miles away. Well, they crept upon me kinda fast. I thought I’d be old at sixty. But what I’ve learned is that the "raw-foods" 60 is a lot like the "cooked-foods" 40.

During the lockdown, many have opted out of visiting the beauty shop. As a result, they have used the quarantine as an opportunity to embrace their gray hair. I also decided to give it a try and let my gray show—but with the understanding that if I didn’t feel comfortable, I’d resume coloring.

How did it go? Well… let me just say that when I decided to color it, my husband was so happy he even offered to help me. And for some reason, when we were done, I was happier. I know some of you will write me to say: it’s not natural. Please don't. I'm not perfect! Plus, as 63, I allow myself to do whatever I want.

So, when should you go gray? The answer is… when you’re ready, and not a day sooner! Don’t pressure anyone (including yourself) about when the time is right to go gray. Mimi Kirk, a vegan author and public figure, went gray at 82. It was okay with her, so it should be okay with us. Gray looks good only on those who wear it with confidence. And until you are fully confident, don't stress yourself.
 

How to Delay Gray

Heredity is a main factor in determining how much gray hair you’ll have and when you’ll get it. And it seems the offset of gray hair doesn’t have a direct link to health. My husband’s younger sister died from colon cancer at the age of 59, and she had no gray hair at all. My husband's uncle died from a liver disease and had no gray hair. And at the same time I've met some very healthy people (some of them are raw foodists) who have a head full of gray hair. 

My mother is 83, in relatively good health, and to this day she still colors her hair. My mom started to color her hair around the age of 40. For me, it was around 50. What helped me delay the coloring? Two things. First, my raw food lifestyle, and second, my daily use of the High Frequency Ray (Violet Ray).

Charlene has beautiful black hair. On the left, you can see a shot of her hair arrangement on her wedding day. When she stayed with us, I was pleasantly surprised to find that she takes hair-combing seriously and is practicing the old “hundred strokes” adage!

Charlene’s daily brushing habit was reinforced in the most unexpected way… when she was little, she’d visit her grandparents every weekend and comb her grandfather's silver locks while he told her stories. Comb for a hundred times, so I will live for 100 years, he said. So Charlene remembered and did just that! The 100 strokes advice stayed with her as a healthy habit and also as a beautiful memory. Here is her short video on the subject:

When we first met, Charlene gave me the gift of a wooden comb. I was delighted. In my first book, Your Right to Be Beautiful, I dedicated a whole chapter to caring for your hair, and to daily combing in particular. 

As the Mother's Day approaches, I hope you will consider Beautiful On Raw products as gifts for your mom. You can't go wrong with a quality hair care product—perhaps a wooden comb, Scalp Tonic, our Violet Ray, or our highly effective RejuvaRoll.

Whether mom's hair (or your own) be natural, or colored, we all need to give our locks the daily nourishment and stimulation they need to be as lovely as every woman deserves.