New Poll Reveals Persistent Misconceptions About Grey Hair

New data from Schwarzkopf has revealed that early greying is more common than many believe. 50% of women report discovering their first grey hair between the ages of 31 and 35, with 17% encountering grey strands before reaching the age of 25.

The research, conducted by One Poll and involving 1,000 UK women who dye their hair, underscored the significant role hair plays in shaping our identities. Upon discovering grey hair, over half of the respondents (54%) expressed concerns about ageing. Additionally, 38% felt self-conscious about others’ perceptions of their greying hair, 36% reported diminished self-confidence in themselves and their appearance, and 32% felt less attractive.

With only 6% of participants appreciating their grey hair, Schwarzkopf Oleo Intense collaborated with Eva Proudman, a renowned Consultant Trichologist with over 20 years of experience in hair and scalp health, to debunk widespread myths about greying. Consumer knowledge about hair care has increased significantly in recent decades; however, several myths about grey hair persist. 20% of women still believe that plucking one grey hair will cause seven more to appear, and nearly 1 in 10 think frequent hair colouring accelerates greying.

Regarding the causes of greying, 80% of respondents attributed it to stress, while 71% believed genetics played a role. However, Proudman clarifies that the primary cause is the deterioration of melanocytes, the cells responsible for hair colour, which naturally occurs with age. She adds, “prolonged emotional stress can exacerbate the greying process – but generally isn’t the main cause. The ageing process is by far the major factor in grey hair.”

For many, the natural changes accompanying ageing, such as greying hair, can feel like a loss of identity. Therefore, it’s unsurprising that many women turn to hair dye to regain a sense of empowerment over their appearance. Yet, concerns about the time and expense involved in maintaining coloured hair are significant, with 30% of women worried about these factors and 20% concerned about the health impacts of regular dyeing.

Proudman identifies three main factors that can damage hair through dyeing: the strength of the colour, the duration the colour remains on the hair, and the use of heat to speed up the process. To prevent damage and maintain hair health, it’s crucial that hair dye formulas and their application are as safe as possible.

Schwarzkopf, a brand with a 120-year history in hair colouring, focused on hair health in the development of Oleo Intense. This innovative colouring product, the result of ten years of research involving more than 50 experts, incorporates the brand’s HaptIQ system. This system repairs and strengthens the hair’s inner structure by forming new micro bonds. As a result, Oleo Intense can reduce hair breakage by up to 90% while providing vibrant, long-lasting colour coverage.

“I am really impressed with the ingredients in Schwarzkopf’s Oleo Intense formulation and would be confident to recommend it as a home use colour option that cares for your hair,” says Proudman. “With Oleo, the formulation of the colour means that provided you read and follow the instructions, you will limit the possibility of damaging your hair.”

In the UK, Schwarzkopf Oleo Intense is available at Boots and Superdrug. In the US, it is marketed under the name Syoss Oleo Intense and can be found on amazon.com.