The good, the great and the "wait, that's actually interesting."

Let's get one thing straight before we dive in: grey hair is not a problem to be solved. It's biology. And like most things biology throws at us, it's a lot less scary once you actually understand it.

Whether you're embracing your silvers, covering them up, or somewhere in between- knowledge is power. Here's everything you need to know about grey hair, from why it happens to how to handle it on your own terms.

Why does hair go grey in the first place?

Every hair follicle contains cells called melanocytes. Their job? Producing melanin- the pigment that gives your hair its colour. Over time, those melanocytes slow down and eventually stop producing melanin altogether. No melanin, no colour. Hello, grey.

It's not dramatic. It's not a crisis. It's just your follicles clocking off early.

The result depends on how much melanin is left. Less melanin = silver. None at all = white. A mix of pigmented and unpigmented hairs growing together = that salt-and-pepper look everyone's suddenly obsessed with.

When does it start?

Earlier than most people expect, honestly. The average person starts noticing their first greys in their mid-30s- though it can happen earlier or later depending on a few key factors.

A general rule of thumb: if one of your parents went grey early, there's a good chance you will too. Genetics is the biggest predictor of when greying starts and how quickly it progresses.

Is it really genetic?

Mostly, yes. Studies suggest genetics account for the majority of when and how you go grey. But it's not the whole story.

Other factors that can accelerate greying include stress (yes, really- more on that in a second), smoking, nutritional deficiencies (particularly B12, iron and copper), and certain autoimmune conditions. Environmental factors like UV exposure and pollution can also play a role over time.

Wait - does stress actually cause grey hair?

This one's not just an old wives' tale. Research has shown that chronic stress can deplete the stem cells responsible for regenerating melanocytes in hair follicles. Less stem cells = fewer melanocytes = less pigment = more grey.

So no, one bad week won't turn your hair white overnight (that's a myth- more on that below). But sustained, chronic stress over time? It can genuinely speed things up.

Another reason to book that holiday, honestly.

Common grey hair myths - busted

Myth: Plucking a grey hair makes more grow back. False. Plucking one hair cannot affect the neighbouring follicles. You won't sprout three greys in its place. That said, repeatedly plucking from the same follicle can damage it over time- so maybe just leave them be.

Myth: Stress can turn your hair white overnight. Not quite. There's a phenomenon called diffuse alopecia areata where stress can cause pigmented hairs to fall out rapidly- leaving behind predominantly grey or white ones. It can look sudden, but it's not actually an overnight colour change. The grey was always there.

Myth: Grey hair is coarser and harder to manage. Grey hair can feel different- often drier and slightly coarser in texture- because sebum production slows as we age. But it's not the grey itself that's the culprit. Good hydration and the right haircare routine goes a long way.

Myth: You can't colour grey hair at home. Absolutely not true. In fact, grey hair tends to colour beautifully- it's a blank canvas. The key is using a quality permanent colour with the right formulation. Which, conveniently, is exactly what we do.

Why is grey hair harder to cover?

Grey hair- especially stubborn, resistant greys- can be trickier to colour than pigmented hair for a few reasons.

First, grey hair has a different structure. The cuticle (the outer layer of the hair shaft) tends to be more tightly packed and resistant, making it harder for colour molecules to penetrate. Second, without natural melanin to "anchor" colour, the dye has to work harder to bond properly with the hair.

This is exactly why the size and quality of colour molecules matters so much. Smaller molecules penetrate the hair shaft more effectively- which is the thinking behind Done's Molecular Magic™. Tiny, fast-moving molecules that bond deeply and last longer. Grey hair covered in 10 minutes, and colour that actually sticks around.

How long does grey coverage last?

With a quality permanent colour, you can expect 6–8 weeks before new regrowth becomes noticeable. The colour itself doesn't fade- it's the new growth at the root that gives the game away.

That's why root retouch kits exist. Rather than colouring your whole head every time (which is unnecessary, time-consuming and hard on your hair), a targeted root retouch covers just the new growth- keeping things fresh without the effort.

Should you embrace grey or cover it?

Entirely up to you. And we mean that.

The "go grey gracefully" movement is real and beautiful. So is wanting fresh colour every 6–8 weeks. Both are valid. Neither requires justification.

What we're against is the idea that you have to spend a whole afternoon and half your pay cheque to feel good about your hair. Whatever you choose- embrace, cover, or somewhere in between- it should be quick, easy and on your terms.

That's kind of our whole thing.

The bottom line

Grey hair is normal, it's natural, and it happens to almost everyone eventually. Understanding why it happens- and what actually affects it- means you can make informed choices about how you want to handle it. No guilt, no pressure, just good hair days ahead.

And if covering your roots is your thing? We've got you. Done in 10 minutes, free from the nasties, developed by world-leading colour experts.

No more grey days. Consider it done.

Ready to find your shade? Click here to get started.