When Did You Start to Go Gray, and When Did it Take Over?

IamMCM
IamMCM Posts: 122
in Chit-Chat
This is a question for the vintage models here at MFP. At what age did your hair start to gray? And when did the gray finally take over? I'm curious as I head toward my 50th birthday in a couple of months, with plenty of visible gray hairs but not enough to pull out the dye bottle yet. I won't hesitate to color my hair when it gets too prominent.

I actually don't remember how old I was when the first one cropped up, but it was probably late 30s/early 40s. All I remember is that my husband pointed it out while we were at Disney World on vacation! Yes, honey, thanks for adding cheer as we visit the Happiest Place on Earth (he's a great hubby in most ways but tact sometimes evades him). Thankfully, the progress has been slow for me since then. Curious about how it progresses for others.
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Replies

  • _John_
    _John_ Posts: 8,646 Member
    I'm 33...not a single grey yet.
  • LoneWolf_70
    LoneWolf_70 Posts: 1,151 Member
    i started to get flecks of gray around 39, however id see it more in goatee than hair. I shave my head on monday, but at 43 I really didint have any gray in my hair other than the fleck or two.
  • _crafty_
    _crafty_ Posts: 1,682 Member
    I'm 33...not a single grey yet.

    I'm almost 38 and have been dyeing my hair since my mid twenties to cover gray. First ones were visible by the time I was 21ish.
  • fatmanintransition
    fatmanintransition Posts: 841 Member
    The gray ones started showing up in my early 40's. They have continued to grow in number but haven't nearly taken over yet. The funny part, for me, is that when I let my beard grow in, the gray has DEFINITELY taken over.
  • Unknown
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  • ToddGisMe
    ToddGisMe Posts: 19
    starting going gray at about 38 and at 48 I have lost the battle, oh well. Never really thought about dyeing it, just accepted it I guess
  • GDLAZ
    GDLAZ Posts: 3,784 Member
    Old Bikers don't go gray, they just get more chrome. :smile:
  • CoolDad67
    CoolDad67 Posts: 324 Member
    It runs in my family; so, I started really early.

    I had a gray area in my temple beginning at around 20 or earlier. It has migrated over the years to where I'm mostly silver now at age 47 and has been that way for years.

    My dad grayed similar to me. My grandfather on my mother's side had silver hair when I was a child.

    My son who is 17 now, is already starting to show a few grays here and there. Guess he inherited it too.
  • MizTerry
    MizTerry Posts: 3,763 Member
    I'm 45 and I have a couple of strands, but my hair is light due to the sun so they really don't show much.

    I don't plan to go gray, I plan to go HOT PINK!!!!
  • TheresaC928
    TheresaC928 Posts: 849
    Age 10 started with a few grays. Now in 40's and keeping more of them at bay with hair dyes in lighter colors.
  • Jerrypeoples
    Jerrypeoples Posts: 1,541 Member
    started noticing flecks of gray in my beard probably 41ish (44 now)

    eh if i go gray so be it. its noticeable in the beard/mustache and a few strands on the side burns

    if i go gray and dont like it ill just shave my head. otherwise its not worth the hassle
  • 365andstillalive
    365andstillalive Posts: 663 Member
    I'm not exactly what you'd describe as vintage, but...
    My first bunch of grays showed up at 18, now at 21 I box dye every 6-8 weeks to hide them. I wouldn't be surprised to be mostly grey by 30-35.
  • Limeycat
    Limeycat Posts: 249 Member
    I got my first in my late 20s and now have my hair coloured every 4 weeks - now at 49, I'm as grey as a badger underneath the dye!

    The worst moment tho, was noticing that first grey pube... :noway: :noway: :noway:

    ETA: age
  • nopotofgold
    nopotofgold Posts: 164 Member
    I have some know. Its the shiny ones.
  • liekewheeless
    liekewheeless Posts: 416 Member
    Mid twenties for a couple strays, I now have pretty prominent strands front and center. It's not like a streak, but they are pretty visible, and I'm 31.

    I color my hair on occasion but that's because I like different colors,.. not for the gray.
  • Pedalpush
    Pedalpush Posts: 246 Member
    I got my first sparklers when I was 25 or so. I was able to pluck for a few years but I have to color regularly now at 44. I haven't decided when I'm going to let it take over.
  • summer144012
    summer144012 Posts: 41
    I started going gray around mid 40's. My mom at the age of 82 has gorgeous salt and pepper hair...me? not so lucky! I color it every 5 weeks. My twin brother, on the other hand, looks distinguished with all his gorgeous silver hair. Not fair !! *stamps feet*
    Don't plan on ever stopping either! :)
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    This must be where all the old people hang out.
  • EmmieBaby
    EmmieBaby Posts: 1,235 Member
    26 and I've started =)

    It's in my family to grey early...also stress is a big factor...meh...I don't mind it
  • MizTerry
    MizTerry Posts: 3,763 Member
    This must be where all the old people hang out.

    Who you callin old, Waffle man? LOL
  • rmsrws
    rmsrws Posts: 639 Member
    Too Funny!!! I just recently had this conversation with my friends. I am 44 and about 6 months ago I noticed I had a few gray hair, but not on my head!!!!! Have a great day!!!
  • tedrickp
    tedrickp Posts: 1,229 Member
    Started noticing gray flecks in beard and at the temples this past year (35). :cry:

    All the new hair growing in my nose seems to be normal color though. :mad:
  • kender54
    kender54 Posts: 58 Member
    I think I'm in the minority here. My first gray hairs started to pop up when I was 19 (17 for my sister, 14 for my father). So, I don't let them "take over" at all, because I'm too young to look that old. I refuse to let my hair grow out to see how much more gray I am, now nearly 15 years later)
  • LAT1963
    LAT1963 Posts: 1,375 Member
    First grey hair: 19
    Took over: 40-ish. Hard to tell exactly because I was dying my hair for fashion reasons anyway, not grey coverage.
  • Missjulesdid
    Missjulesdid Posts: 1,444 Member
    I'm 42 and I dye my hair because the natural color has become very faded and dull. I used to have a beautiful rich chestnut color hair but a few years ago I noticed that it was just looking "old" not gray.. just old looking. So I boost up my hair with some more vibrant brown with a bit of red mixed in. In the past three or four years, I've noticed some grays for sure. but honestly, I'm not sure how much I have since I keep my hair colored anyway.
  • laura2813
    laura2813 Posts: 84 Member
    I will be 48 in about 10 days and don't have any yet. I do have to say it has something to do with genetics because my father is 82 and the only gray to speak of is in his side burns.
  • BlueButterfly94
    BlueButterfly94 Posts: 303 Member
    I'm only twenty, my roots have been gray for about a year... .-.
  • LastMinuteMama
    LastMinuteMama Posts: 590 Member
    I don't feel like a vintage model yet (39), but I have quite a bit of gray.

    I used to color my hair when I was younger just for the fun of it, now I need to color it every four weeks or everyone over 5'3" will know my dirty little secret!

    I am always toying with the idea of letting it just go gray, and then I'm all "I'll just color it one LAST time."

    edited to add - It started coming in fast & furious after I had my first son - at 28!
  • donnat238
    donnat238 Posts: 309 Member
    in my mid 40's. My hair is light enough that what I do have just kind of blends in. I plan to start with highlights when it becomes more visible.
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    I'm 37 -- but I got my first grey hair at 16 or 17. I was still in high school and had waist length mousy brown hair so it wasn't too noticeable at the time, but it was definitely grey and not blonde. I've had a few greys here & there since then, but I've always colored my hair so it hasn't really mattered.

    I was about 27-28 when I started getting a small yet visible patch at each temple when I hadn't colored my hair in awhile. Ten years later that hasn't changed much, those patches are still small and haven't really "spread" BUT I do have a sprinkling of a few random silver hairs around my hairline now, too, ugh.

    My dad is 68 with snow white hair. He was fully grey at 30.
    My mom is 63 and recently thought she might stop coloring her hair (dark brown) and let it go grey. It turns out her greys are about at the same level as mine at 37. Just a little patch at each temple and a few around the hairline. LOL. She didn't get her first grey hair until she was in her 40's as far as she knows, but she's colored her hair forever too so who knows.

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