I wasn't exactly enthusiastic when I noticed a few gray hairs starting to pop up around my forehead area. At the age of 31, I honestly didn't think I'd start having this problem for a while (cue the side-eye from the universe). Rather than just accept my fate, I decided to look into solutions that didn't involve dyeing my hair religiously. That's when I found Arey, a brand dedicated to helping folks like me who are looking for a solution to prevent premature grays. The great thing about Arey is that its products can also help strands that are already a bit gray by bringing back some pigment.
The products do so by utilizing vitamins, minerals, and a special peptide complex. Intrigued yet? Read on! I'm sharing everything you need to know about the brand straight from the founders as well as my experience using the products.
Premature grays can be pesky—especially if they're small baby hairs. Once I started to see a few pop up myself, I was a bit dismayed but wasn't ready to start coloring my hair solely for that reason. It should be noted that these products may not be for you if your hair is primarily gray already. If you happen to be in your 20s or 30s and have noticed a few more gray hairs than usual that you would like to conceal, then these products are your ticket! Briefly, I'll share the TL;DR below.
Pros:
-The brand provides a full suite of haircare products
-Includes a vitamin-rich supplement to go with the haircare
-Takes a comprehensive and proactive approach to graying hair
Cons:
-Not all the products work well for hair types that are thick, coarse, or textured
What causes premature gray hair?
Founders Allison Conrad and Jay Small explained a bit more about the science behind their brand and philosophy. Here's what they found in their research.
"Once we started to research and found there is only one gene called IRF4 that is linked to gray hair, we began to explore what else could be causing our hair to lose pigment," says Small, who is a hairstylist. "With genetics accounting for about 30%, we found that vitamin and mineral deficiencies along with oxidative stressors like UV and chemical exposure and aging accounted for about 70%. Around this same time in 2019, an NIH article was published showing an increased risk of certain types of cancer in people who have regularly used at-home hair dye on the scalp. As a hairstylist for the last 21 years, I have become accustomed to reactive solutions, like hair dye. Clients would come to me and say, 'I have dry, brittle, or gray hair—how can I fix it?' We set out to create proactive solutions for aging hair that are inspired by the way skincare provides products for future concerns. Thus, we created Arey, the 'wrinkle cream of haircare.'"
How to Combat Premature Gray Hair
"When we started Arey, our goal was to focus on researching why we go gray and what consumers can do to address gray hair," they both explain. "Early on, we were able to identify several vitamin and mineral deficiencies that were associated with hair turning gray. Beyond diet, lifestyle factors like smoking, sun exposure, pollution, and exposure to harsh chemicals play a large role in causing oxidative stress to the body, which can impact gray hair. Our daily supplement—Not Today, Grey—supplies the body with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help to support pigment and hair health from the inside out. As we age, our bodies process these nutrients less efficiently, and we may not be accessing enough of these nutrients from our diets to support cellular turnover and production. Antioxidants are essential in helping to neutralize free radicals that are the result of oxidative stress. Free radicals are cells that are damaged due to oxidative stressors, and if you do not address these cells with antioxidants, the result can be an increase in gray hair."
"Our topical treatments, To The Root Serum, Wash shampoo, and gentle scalp exfoliator scrub contain our patent-pending Mela-9 Complex, which helps to support hair health from the outside in," they continue. "We identified a clinically effective peptide that, when absorbed through the scalp, can give the hair follicle amino acids that support the production of melanin, which is what gives our hair pigment. When our hair starts to turn gray, it is due to a lack of the amino acid tyrosine. In order to preserve and repigment hair, you need to give the body access to ingredients that potentiate this amino acid, which creates melanin (hair color)."
"It's important to note that repigmentation of white hair is less likely since there is typically no longer pigment in those hair strands. If a hair strand is gray, you can supply the body with what it is lacking in the early stages of graying hair, and it is possible to repigment those strands," they add.
Shop Arey's Suite of Products
This serum is the one that I've been using the most. I've noticed a few grays around my hairline—particularly the forehead and around the ears—so I apply the most serum around those areas, and I've definitely noticed a difference. I do have to note, though, that using these products requires patience. You probably won't notice a difference for the first few weeks, but give it a month or two. You'll start to see some promising results. I still have some gray hairs, but I've noticed that they're darkening in color around my hairline, and I'm excited to see even more results with consistent use.
I've been taking the supplements every day for about two months in addition to using the serum. Small says of the formula, "Not Today, Grey supports pigment production and hair health from the inside out. This daily supplement combines vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support healthy cell function and balance free radical buildup from oxidative stress. We use a combination of B vitamins that improve the protein structure and stimulate cell turnover. We also use ingredients that have been shown to support melanogenesis and, when taken proactively, help preserve hair pigment."
This duo is great for preserving pigment and for those who would like their strands to appear a bit thicker and fuller. I really liked this duo, but I don't think it's totally right for my already thick, coarse, and curly hair long-term since it does provide a thickening effect. My hair also needs a lot of hydration, and it didn't quite deliver in that department for me. I think this duo would work really well for folks who have fine or straight hair and want a bit more thickness and volume.
This lightweight mist and leave-in conditioner helps detangle, hydrate, and preserve hair pigment.
For folks who love a good dry shampoo, why not try the brand's pigment-preserving formula?
This scrub also contains the brand's Mela-9 Complex, which supports the production of melanin in the hair. This peptide-containing complex gives the hair follicle necessary amino acids to preserve pigment.
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