What Causes Grey Hair?

Grey hair results from the loss of pigment called melanin in melanocyte cells in hair follicles. As hair follicles produce less melanin over time, new hair grows lighter. This loss is primarily due to ageing, but genetics play a significant role too; if your parents started going grey at an early age, it’s likely, you will too.

Other factors include stress, smoking, and nutritional deficiencies:

Stress has been linked to the production of free radicals (unstable molecules that can damage cells, proteins, and DNA by stealing electrons from other molecules), which damage melanocyte cells. Smoking has been shown to cause premature greying as well.

Some studies suggest that deficiencies in vitamins and minerals like B12, zinc, and iron can also contribute to early greying​, although not enough research has currently been done on this. (Cleveland Clinic)​​ (Canadian Dermatology Association)​.

Some people also have Vitiligo, an autoimmune condition where there is a loss of skin pigmentation through the death of the melanocytes. This can also cause hair, eyebrows, eyelashes and skin to lose their pigment.

How to Prevent Early Greying

While there is no guaranteed way to prevent grey hair, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can delay its onset. This includes eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, avoiding smoking, and managing stress effectively. 

Some products claim to reduce or reverse grey hair, but their efficacy is not conclusively proven. 

If you’re self-conscious about your greys you can always dye your hair at home or professionally. Just make sure you use products that won’t dry out your hair, as greying hair can be more on the dry side!

Dyeing Grey Hair vs. Keeping It Natural

Patrick Dempsey

If you’re blessed with thick, salt-and-pepper hair, then Patrick Dempsey’s greying, wavy, quiff hairstyle is the perfect look if you want to show off your luxuriant barnet to its full effect.

For this look, ask your barber for the sides and back to be cut tighter to make the focus more on the longer top.

How To Style:

• To style a Patrick Dempsey-esque greying, wavy, quiff hairstyle, it works best on ‘second-day hair’ – so ideally don’t shampoo daily.
• It’s also a good idea to use a ‘silver’ shampoo/conditioner on it once a week to stop your greying strands looking dull and drab.
• If your hair needs a bit of extra oomph use golf ball sized amount of volumising mousse on damp hair.
• Then try this trick for extra volume: hang your head upside down as you blow dry it.
• Use a round vented brush to blow dry the fringe into a quiff shape.
• When it’s dry, and if you have 2nd day hair, spritz dry shampoo into the roots to freshen it up and then massage it in. This will give the hair a bit of ‘grit’ and help with texture.
• Then use a little pomade to shape the top of the hair and give it more texture.
• Then rub the palms of your hands along the sides of the hair to make it look a little sleeker.
• You can then use straighteners to fix any rogue bits of hair that aren’t sitting right at the top.
• Spritz with hairspray if you want more staying power.

Tan France

Tan France’s grey quiff hairstyle is as chic and iconic as the Queer Eye host himself.

A haircut like this – with so much length on top – is hugely versatile, too. You could rock a sleek, volume-packed style like Tan; go for a more slicked-back look; or even opt for something with a heap of messy, windswept texture.

For Tan France’s quiff hairstyle with side part, ask for a scissor cut with short or tapered back and sides. (You could also score a more dramatic contrast with an ultra-short clipper cut or fade.) You’ll want a side part, with plenty of top length left to one side for styling. That part of Tan’s hair looks to be around four inches or so, but speak to your barber about what’ll work best for you.

How To Style:

• Style a look like Tan France’s quiff hairstyle by working a few spritzes of heat-protecting pre-styler product into your hair.
• Move your strands into place with a small round brush, then start blow drying. Begin with the shortest side of your part, directing the dryer downwards so that section lies flatter.
• Ready to dry the back and longer top section? Use your hands and the round brush (hold and roll it up each section of hair with the dryer) to build loads of height and volume, especially in the quiff at the front.
• Once your hair is dry, take a leaf out of Tan’s book by running a little moisture-boosting argan oil through it using your fingers.
• Rub a pea-sized amount of matte-finish pomade or styling product between your hands, then use it to direct and shape your finished style.
• If needed, add a pinch of extra product on the ends for bonus definition. Great work.
• Keep grey hair looking fresh and cool by using a silver shampoo once a week or whenever strands start to appear brassy.

Cillian Murphy

Cillian Murphy’s textured greying curtain hairstyle at the Oppenheimer premiere is a big departure from his iconic – and harsh – Peaky Blinders look.

While he does normally opt for this curtain style IRL – albeit usually a longer, floppier version of this cut – MFH prefers the more gently textured version he has here.

It gives his fine, straight hair a bit of movement and volume and balances out his square face shape.

If you like Cillian Murphy’s textured greying curtain hairstyle ask for a mid-length scissor cut on the back and sides. The cut is tapered just above the ear and cut in tightly at the nape. It also needs to be left heavier on the top, with longish layers cut into it to soften the shape and make it sit better.

How To Style:

• For Cillian Murphy’s textured greying curtain hairstyle you’ll need to keep your hair in good condition or it’ll go fluffy.
• Use shampoo/conditioning products containing as few chemicals as possible.
• And, ideally, use a deep conditioning treatment once a week.
• After washing your hair, spritz it from roots to ends with a texturising volume spray.
• Then spritz on some heat protector.
• Part it in the middle using a comb and your nose as a guide.
• Blow dry your hair on a medium heat.
• Hold your hairdryer downwards as you dry it, which helps to keep the hair cuticles smooth.
• After it’s dry, warm a 5p sized amount of pomade between your fingers and gently tousle the hair on either side of the centre part.
• Not too much, just enough to give it a bit of movement and texture.
• Spritz a small amount of shine spray on the hair when you’ve finished.