Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

When did you start going grey? And do you dye your hair?

96 replies

selfselfiequeen · 05/11/2023 20:05

Just want some reassurance that it's not only happening to me that is having premature grey hairs spout up... I have clusters of grey all over my hair.

They started just after having my 2nd child nearly 2 years ago and I started to get them more after my third child was born 7 months ago.

I'm in my early thirties and used to think going grey only happened to older men and women.

I refuse to dye my hair. But don't know what I will do when grey takes over the whole of my hair.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
cathyandclaire · 05/11/2023 20:09

I had my first one at 17! My grandma was white by 30 so I thought it would be rapid for me - but it's been way slower so I still colour 50/50 white/ brunette in my mid fifties.
My mum stopped colouring at seventy and went fabulously silver, which really suits her, thinking of following the same time table.

StopStartStop · 05/11/2023 20:10

No.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 05/11/2023 20:13

Late 30s but at the sides, got more highlights yo to blend in/cover.

MooseBeTimeForSnow · 05/11/2023 20:13

The first grey hairs I found were not on my head!!

I’m just about to hit 50. Mine is coming in strong now, especially on the sides above/in front of my ears. My hair is short and dyed an ashy blonde so eventually I will stop dyeing it.

RomeoandJomeo · 05/11/2023 20:19

Late 30s is when I noticed it.. though when I made a comment about the fact that I was 'starting to go grey' a friend scoffed and made it clear that I had been going grey for a while 😂(in my defense, my hair is / was blond so it wasn't particularly noticeable - to me - at first). Early 50s now and there's definitely no denying it. Have never dyed it.

truetruebarneymcgrew · 05/11/2023 20:21

Late 30s after first, dc now early 50s and pretty much fully white/ grey. I joke with kids each grey hair is a result from worrying about them!!
Nope don't dye, as hair very fine and I'm happy with going grey, my face is still very young looking, so despite the grey hairs most folk are genuinely shocked when I tell them I'm in my 50s....I've recently been asked for Id when buying alcohol...tbf I think the shop assistant probably should have gone to specsaviours!

Phillipa12 · 05/11/2023 20:23

I was late 20's when I first noticed the grey and started dyeing it. At 40 I decided to embrace the grey. I'm now 47 and 70% grey. I love it, my hairs never been so healthy and I get loads of compliments and a few double glances when my youngest dc, age 8 and 9 call me mummy.

RaisinsOfMildAnnoyance · 05/11/2023 20:24

The first white hair I found was on mothering Sunday in my late 20s... in my eyebrow.

I'm early 40s now, and this collage shows the progression of white hairs in my ashy blond/brown hair. I've never dyed over it and don't plan to start.

When did you start going grey? And do you dye your hair?
RhinestoneCowgirl · 05/11/2023 20:24

Noticed my first grey hair at age 30, but they didn't really multiply until 40. Now 45 and I have some sections that are very grey but whole other sections without. I've never dyed my hair, barring early youthful experiments in my teens.

Gigia · 05/11/2023 20:24

I'm early forties and started going grey a couple of years ago. I dye my hair, I'm brunette and not ready to go grey yet.

ColinFuckingRobinson · 05/11/2023 20:26

19

No, I don't dye it now at 41. Mostly white at the front and temples, mostly brunette at the back.

BitofaStramash · 05/11/2023 20:27

This year. Am 49. Have a few greys starting. Don't think I will bother dying it.

GetWhatYouWant · 05/11/2023 20:27

I was 32 when I started going grey/white, I had natural red hair. Started off with semi permanent dye then as more came went onto permanent colour, always dyed in the salon. Dyed hair for 25 years until COVID when I decided to grow it out, I was sick of the regrowth appearing after 2 weeks and the cost and effort of having it dyed. As I got older I felt it didn't look so natural. Took about 18 months to get it all grown out and I'm now quite white around the front and streaks of white at the back.
Do I like it? Not completely, still a bit of a shock seeing a white haired old woman in the mirror. But I love not having to get it dyed and people have commented that they like it, it seems in better condition too. I will never go back to dying it now. Have had to start wearing a brighter lipstick to stop looking so washed out whereas with coloured hair I didn't feel like that. So not dying it is right for me now at nearly 60 but I don't think I would have left it grey in my thirties. It's a different time now though and there are plenty of younger women with grey hair on social media and they look fabulous.

Lavenderosa · 05/11/2023 20:28

1st grey hair at 17, needed to use temporary dye to cover salt & pepper by mid 20s. By early 30s I was having to use permanent dye all over so at 35 I went blonde and never regretted it since, especially with all the different treatments now, so that it looks natural.

HamstersAreMyLife · 05/11/2023 20:31

I started at about 30 but have always had blonde/mousey hair and then occasional blonde highlights so I don't think it was obvious. For the last year I've been dyeing a range of colours and now (early 40s) when the roots come out I think it all looks grey. So I'm going to bite the bullet and try to grow the dye out next year. I think it will be painful but the roots feel and look awful so I want to get it done

StinkerTroll · 05/11/2023 20:31

I was around 25, initially I was highlighting my hair but it was an expensive nightmare to keep up with, it's a very short style (I'd be a disaster with a self dye kit!) So I decided to just let the silver and white through.... I'm 46 and the colouring is lovely, my hair is in great condition.

DanceMumTaxi · 05/11/2023 20:33

Late 30s. Just a few individual stands, but my hair is dark brown so they stood out. I do colour my hair now. I think if you’re fair it’s less noticeable.

GreekDogRescue · 05/11/2023 20:34

Mid fifties and hair dye all the way!

Reddishraddish · 05/11/2023 20:35

in my 60s, nothing yet, but no, I won't dye it

rentreenothanks · 05/11/2023 20:36

Mid to late thirties. It s like grey / white streaks through auburn hair. People often ask me where I get it done as they think it's intentional colour/ balayage! So I'm not gonna dye it!

user1846385927482658 · 05/11/2023 20:37

It's completely normal for your hair to be turning grey in your thirties. The only reason you don't know that is because of the hair dye industry!

https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/abcs-premature-graying

Premature Graying: Reasions, Options

Experts explain why some of us are destined to sport the 'distinguished' look at an early age.

https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/abcs-premature-graying

Haveallthesongsbeenwritten · 05/11/2023 20:39

selfselfiequeen · 05/11/2023 20:05

Just want some reassurance that it's not only happening to me that is having premature grey hairs spout up... I have clusters of grey all over my hair.

They started just after having my 2nd child nearly 2 years ago and I started to get them more after my third child was born 7 months ago.

I'm in my early thirties and used to think going grey only happened to older men and women.

I refuse to dye my hair. But don't know what I will do when grey takes over the whole of my hair.

Before my thirties, my dad was grey by the time he was 30. I dye my hair indeed!

Gensola · 05/11/2023 20:39

19 and I have dyed it dark brown for 20 years, can’t keep up with it now so going blonde as it will blend better. I don’t know anyone who isn’t aged 10-20 years by grey hair and I don’t want to look older than I am so not ready for the grey natural look yet.

way2serious · 05/11/2023 20:41

Started in mid 30s and it really showed because I am so dark and having been dying ever since. Am very grey now under the dye and my parting and roots come through very quickly so I home dye very frequently!

Minniemouse85 · 05/11/2023 20:42

my mum died in November 2019. I swear to god i’d had no more than 2 hair appointments that year and not due to being grey….. I was 34 and I’ve had to have my greys covered every 6 weeks ever since!
Im sure I literally went grey due to the stress and upset of them 11 days before she died!