How to Make Gray Hair Soft & Manageable

By: Kimberly Johnson

Christopher Robbins/Digital Vision/Getty Images

If the thought of allowing your natural gray to shine through drums up images of wiry, unmanageable tresses, you may vow to never let that silver hue see the light of day. Gray hair does thicken and become courser, but that doesn’t mean that you have to look like the bride of Frankenstein. A complete change-up in your hair-care routine will fix the problem just fine. Add a little much- needed moisture to your tresses to really let that silver mane shine.

Step 1

Ask your hair stylist to cut your hair at shoulder length or shorter, because longer lengths cause gray hair -- which is wiry and coarse -- to look frizzy and flat.

Step 2

Wash your hair with a moisturizing shampoo and a whitening shampoo. Squeeze a dime-size amount into your palm, then add an equal amount of whitening shampoo. Rub your hands together to mix the two shampoos. Massage the shampoo mixture into your hair for 30 to 60 seconds. Rinse your hair with water until it runs clear.

Step 3

Spread a deep hair conditioner over your scalp and hair once a week. Leave the conditioner on for 10 minutes, then rinse it out thoroughly.

Step 4

Once a month, apply a clear gloss or glaze designed to prevent yellowing and staining in gray hair. After shampooing your hair, squeeze a quarter-size amount of gloss or glaze into your hands and work it through your hair and scalp. Leave the gloss on for 10 minutes, then rinse it out.

Step 5

Use a wide-tooth comb to style your hair and and pull it through gently to the ends.

Step 6

Opt for styling products that are clear, as they don't contain dyes which may cause your gray hair to turn yellow. Use a dime-size amount of a clear styling serum or gel to hold your style in place.