Gray hair trend: what causes this phenomenon and can it be called a trend?

Alexandra Grant, Eva Longoria, Salma Hayek... The list of stars who are not shy about wearing gray hair goes on and on! Professional publications are also increasingly discussing the topic of gray hair, and cosmetic brands are gradually expanding their arsenal of gray hair care products.

What is the expert opinion on this matter? Can gray hair really be called a trend? And have there been such “spikes” in the relevance of gray hair in history?

We talked about this with international class stylist Vyacheslav Dudenko, and read the results in the article.

Vyacheslav Dudenko , international class stylist, owner of the premium salon DYUDENKO art of hair and DYUDENKO ACADEMY, commander of the Order of Chevalier of the World Organization of Elite Hairdressers Intercoiffure Mondial

Does such a trend really exist?

The gray hair trend is real. This is due to the fact that the population is maturing. Life expectancy has increased, and there are many more active adults. They lead an active lifestyle, monitor their health, and adhere to certain diets. But such an active life does not prevent people from having gray hair. This is how they demonstrate that gray hair is not a death sentence at all.

Have there been any spikes in the gray hair trend in history?

Yes, I remember that a similar trend already existed in the early 2000s. I saw this in Las Vegas, when a large team of fellow masters and I went to the World Championships. We stayed in a good five-star hotel. And somehow we get out of the elevator, the doors open, and in the hall there is a whole group of women with gray hair. For us then it was an absolute shock.

It was a group of feminists participating in a congress that was held in this hotel. At that time, the crowd did not make any good impression, since everyone’s hair was tousled, unkempt, they had neither haircuts nor styles. Everything looked very untidy. My colleagues and I did not understand this trend; frankly speaking, it looked terrible. And today, when women with gray hair give themselves excellent haircuts, dyeing them in pastel shades with incredible tints, everything looks different.

What is driving this trend?

The current attitude towards gray hair is different from the early 2000s. Now the trend has been picked up by world stars, and this is a definite statement that women reaching a certain age can be advanced members of society and gray hair does not play any role in this.

What else could be causing this trend? In all countries of the world there is now a certain demand for stability. Gray hair personifies this stability. We received a technological breakthrough - social networks that unite us: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok. People have gone there and lead a virtual life there, and sometimes they cannot cope with real life. There is some kind of subconscious demand for people who personify stability. And these are just people with gray hair.

Is this trend a plus or a minus for hairdressers?

If we talk about clients, those who always went to the salon and looked after their image and it is important to them, then gray hair is a definite different stage. They can afford to be gray today, but not tomorrow. But this so-called trend can be grabbed by slobs who have always grown their hair with gray hair, never dyed it, and they will definitely say that they always knew and said that it was a trend.

Let me give you an example. I once met a client at our academy, she brought her daughter for service. And the following conversation ensued between us:

- Oh, hello! You were serviced by me 20 years ago.

- Hello, yes, I was your client.

- It wouldn’t hurt for you to put on some makeup already. You can sign up for a service at the academy, it won’t cost that much.

- No, what are you talking about! I won't wear makeup! After all, then they won’t give me a seat on the subway or minibus.

- How old are you, excuse me?

- I'm 49

This is how people feel about gray hair.

If a female client decides to go with gray hair, then hairdressers should explain to her that very long gray flowing hair does not look good. We need to talk about this correctly. If an older woman has gray hair, then it is necessary to formalize this with a shorter haircut, for example, above the shoulders or more sporty. It will look very organic.

You also tried out gray hair a few years ago. Why did you return to this image again?

As for me, I left 2015 with a gray and white gray beard. Then I even did a photo shoot with this image. I played around and removed this image. I'm just interested in change. Why did I return to him again?

Just a photo from that photo shoot of mine in 2015 was used for the cover of the 2019 World Barber Championship in Italy. And, accordingly, after I changed my image, none of the hairdressers identified that it was me.

Then for me it was a certain PR move. At this stage, I often publish my works on social networks in various professional Ukrainian and international groups, where I wear exactly this image at a master class or at a show. So gradually they began to identify me with that photograph that was scattered everywhere. I am collecting a collection of photos of how my image is used in advertising posters and shop windows in different cities around the world.

My acquaintances and friends still take photographs and send me these photos. But gradually it starts to get boring. I can’t say that I’ll be in this character forever. I think that after some time, perhaps in one day, I will change my hair color again, remove my beard, and everyone who knows me will not be surprised.