Anyone who’s ever spotted a gray hair knows that our strands show signs of aging. But there’s more to mature hair than just going silver. If you’re covering your grays, you need this expert advice for post-color care!
Featured Experts
- John Moroney is Beautynova’s senior vice president of global education
- Steven Picciano owns Glass Beauty Bar and national artist for Goldwell
How does our hair age?
“As we age, two major changes happen to our hair,” explains national Goldwell artist Steven Picciano. “The first is that we stop producing as much melanin, and our hair begins to come in gray.”
“But aging also affects texture—hair becomes finer, drier and more prone to breakage due to reduced oil production and structural changes in the follicle,” adds Beautynova’s senior vice president of global education, John Moroney. “That’s why mature hair needs extra care: more moisture, nourishing treatments and protective ingredients to maintain strength and shine.”
What does mature hair need post-color?
“Mature hair needs leave-in serum or deep conditioner post-color,” says Picciano. “It is important to bring the hair’s natural acidity back into the acid mantle where it belongs.”
When you use a permanent hair color, the formula needs to be alkaline, with a pH above 7. This allows deeper penetration of color for a lighter and more vibrant look but leaves your strands in need of protection that helps lock in the color.
“The most important thing we can do after the service is to not wash for 48 hours after,” Picciano adds. “That allows for the pigments to settle in and find comfort.”
“After coloring, hair is more porous and vulnerable—it needs replenishment,” says Moroney. “A gloss treatment to seal the cuticle, lock in pigment and boost shine can help strands recover. Moisture, protein and antioxidant-rich products are essential, along with color-safe shampoo and UV protection to maintain vibrancy and prevent fading.”
Post-Color Care for Aging Strands
