When hair is deprived of moisture and exposed to harsh ingredients again and again, the follicle breaks down, making it more prone to damage and less able to hold color.

The Fix:

When picking hair products, take a minute to look at the ingredients to ensure they don’t contain any sulfate or parabens. Many hair professionals have said parabens are bad for hair because they’re proven to cause damage to the actual hair follicles and the scalp.

Sulfates, which are also in many hair products, usually work in tandem with shampoos to rid it of oil and dirt, but sometimes they can dry out the hair.

The bottom line is: shop for sulfate and paraben-free hair products. When in doubt, get a few opinions from local hair stylists or ask your friends what natural, healthy hair products they recommend.

#3. It’s Genetics!

As we women age, it’s natural for genetics to kick in even stronger. In fact, many women with black hair report their hair changing to brown. What do the professionals say? Not to get all science-y, but hair color is passed down generations.

According to Lunda DNA, black hair has a large amount of something called eumelanin, a type of melanin that is more brown and black in pigment. It protects the skin and hair from UV light. Unfortunately, as happens with age, “hair can turn white or gray as fewer pigment cells produce and store melanin.”

The Fix:

There’s no fighting genetics. Since you can’t reprogram DNA, take steps to pamper your hair and strengthen its blackness. One of the ways you can do this is by following the step above – only using products that don’t contain parabens or sulfates.

You can also purchase hair masks or make them at home with the ingredients you have right in your kitchen. One of the simplest ones mixes equal parts raw organic honey, apple cider vinegar, and coconut oil. Apply to your damp hair, let it sit for 20 minutes, then rinse it out with shampoo.