Youthair Crème – Hair Color Restoring Conditioning Formula for Gray Hair Coverage, Made in USA, 3.75 oz

I have been using this product ever since I can remember finding it. About 15 years ago? They use to only have the liquid which works well but is nowhere near as good as the cream. I'm in my mid 50's and have/had blonde hair so I obviously can't speak for any other hair colors. Skip the liquid and buy this. The liquid is more difficult to deal with then the cream which you just rub in. They all smell the same which is to say they smell like chemicals.I go from completely gray to my regular color in just 4 applications with just a few hints of gray here and there. Interestingly enough according to there website they don't tell you how long to keep THIS PARTICULAR version in your hair. They have 3 different versions. They have links to the directions in there other versions as to how long for those but not this one. It also doesn't say anywhere in the directions that come with it. It does say however regarding the other versions and under usage directions... "Youthair should be left on the hair for at least 6-8 hours per application."A confusing website regarding times seeing they have regular liquid, super youthair and lead free (this version). Anyway due to various reasons a handful of times over the years I have gone from completely gray or almost completely gray back to my regular hair color. Even though they don't recommend it I take and old towel on occasions, put it over my pillow and sleep with it on once it's dried in my hair. It will stain fabric but I haven't had it be permanent.I leave it on for about 6-7 hours but during the maintaining stage I have left it on some of the time for as little as 4 hours and it has been completely effective. Again, I have blonde hair so I have found I can get away with once a week in the maintaining stage most of the time as long as I don't do 4 hours all the time and do my best to do 6-7 hours. If I start to see to much gray come back i'll do it twice in a week leaving it in longer. What works for me is the moment I get home from work I put it straight away in my hair. If I go out I wait for it to dry (20-30 minutes) and throw on a baseball cap that I don't care about.I have also found in my case when you are changing your hair color for the first time and using it throughout the week (not just once in the maintaining stage) that no matter how much you use soap and water directly after applying it your nails will look like you just worked on your car. Also be aware that some shampoo's and conditioners will slow the process dramatically if you have them in your hair during the changing stage. Just be sure to read the directions thoroughly that comes with it.

I switched to this after reading about Lead Acetate. That is some nasty stuff, and it is used in most products that eliminate gray hair.This product is not as fast acting as the products with Lead Acetate. But it also doesn't cause Cancer if you accidentally get it on your skin or even worse, if you have a cut or abrasion on your hands or scalp when you apply it.It has to be used a little differently. When you apply it, you have to leave it in for several hours. The smell is kind of funky... not quite chemical like other products, but not quite something you want to smell like. (Almost a "nutty" odor)Your hair will turn noticeably darker immediately after applying. This change is not permanent, and it's not color-fast! It will rub off on nearly everything your hair comes in contact with. It's gets better when it dries a bit, but you do need to rinse before bed or your pillow will stain. It's best to use a gentle soap (baby shampoo?) when washing your hair, or just rinse your hair until it really needs a wash. It does a good job as a styling cream, which is a good thing, because you can't use creams or gels when the product is in your hair.When you rinse out your hair before bed (to avoid a brown pillow) much of the darkness will rinse out. However, each application does increase the amount of darker hair that remains. (And gray reduction, which is why we bought it!)So... it's not quite as easy to use as the Youthair Creme or Just For Men, or Grecian Formulas with Lead Acetate. But if you do 5 minutes of research about Lead Acetate... you'll probably agree that the two minor caveats associated with this product (funny scent and potential for staining) far outweigh the dangers of rubbing a toxic, heavy metal, known carcinogen into your scalp :)