You have just attained your 20’s or 30's and gray hair has started adorning your head. You feel tempted to disguise those silver strands with different shades of hair dyes, rather than understanding the root cause of white hair. We compassionately understand that gray hair are not only irksome but also drains you emotionally.
You are not alone in this, since grey hair is a common problem among teenagers these days. Cheer up! We have an answer for how to stop greying of hair naturally. Early greying of hair can be slowed down if acted upon timely. You just have to follow the right care, take precautions, and avoid some mistakes. Ditch the dyes and costly treatments because slight modification in your day-to-day life can bring darker shades to your hair. It has been found that deficiencies of vitamins, minerals, other essential nutrients, and stress levels have a significant impact in diminishing natural hair color. A controlled study published in the International Journal of Science and Research has concluded the role of Vitamin B12 in preventing premature graying.
What causes grey hair at early age
Premature greying of hair means you start noticing grey hair in your late 20’s. Hair bears black color because of the melanin pigment present at the root of hair follicles. The level of melanin begins to decline with the progression of age. This is why people get grey hair in their 50’s or even older age, which is a normal process. However, these days even teenagers are developing grey hair due to various reasons, which is a worrisome situation. Some of the major causes are:
- Genetics
- Stress
- Smoking
- Alopecia areata
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Hair dye and hair products
1. Genetics
If any of your family members had grey hair at an early age, then your chances to deal with the same fate are high. A research study published in The International Journal of Trichology has mentioned that genetics is a significant factor that determines the development of grey hair.
2. Stress levels
As per the latest studies, oxidative stress created by raised levels of stress hormones causes the death of melanocyte stem cells, which finally results in grey hair. Apart from premature greying of hair, stress is linked to causing hair loss as well.
3. Smoking
Shockingly, craving for smoking can give you grey hair at a very young age. According to a research study published in the International Journal of Advanced Research in Biological Sciences, teenagers who smoke are at greater risk of early greying than non-smokers. Nicotine in cigarettes and tobacco cause the constriction of blood vessels which obstructs the flow of blood and nutrients to your hair follicles. This finally causes hair loss and white hair. It is always better to discard anything that destroys you physically & mentally.
4. Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata is a condition in which round patches of hair loss appear on your scalp. It is an autoimmune condition wherein the immune system attacks its own hair follicle. Hair that regrows after alopecia areata is mostly depigmented or white.
5. Nutrients deficiencies
Low levels of Vitamin B12 can cause premature graying of hair. Since it leads to a decrease in melanin-producing cells, which ultimately results in grey hair.
6. Hair dye and hair products
If you are inclined towards hair coloring, then you need to be aware of the side effects it carries with it. Hair coloring might look stylish, but it's definitely not a good idea because of the harmful chemicals that these colors contain. It has been found that most hair dyes have an ingredient hydrogen Peroxide, which makes your hair turn blonde easily. Frequent use of such hair dyes creates a buildup of Hydrogen Peroxide in hair follicles, which ultimately leads to grey hair.
Can white hair turn black again?
If one has a family history of premature greying of hair, then it is tough to reverse grey hair. Fortunately, white hair due to dietary deficiencies, wrong hair care products, medical conditions, and inappropriate lifestyle can be reversed.
Top ways to prevent and reverse premature grey hair
- Manage your Vitamin B deficiencies
- Eat more antioxidants
- Natural home remedies for grey hair
- Manage stress
- Right hair care products
1. Manage your vitamin B deficiencies
To fulfil vitamin B deficiencies, you can increase the intake of foods that are a good source of vitamin B. Sea foods, dairy products, eggs, poultry, green leafy vegetables etc are some of the food items that are high in B vitamins.
These are the water soluble vitamins, hence can not be stored in your body. You can consider the topical use of vitamin B to reverse grey hair. It has been found that Pantothenic Acid (B5) in conjunction with folic acid may help to turn grey hair back into its original state & color.
Similarly, Vitamins B3 (Niacin) and B7 (Biotin) play an important role in stimulating the flow of nutrients to the hair follicles. Besides, these vitamins offer anti-aging effects to the hair strand and make hair look thicker and strong.
2. Eat more antioxidants
Hair care experts believe that free radical damage in your body creates oxidative stress which can cause graying of hair. In addition, a research study published in the International Journal of Trichology has also pointed out that oxidative stress reduces the activity of melanocytes (cells forming melanin pigment). This ultimately manifests into gray hair and loss of hair density.
Luckily to fight the free radical damage in the body, it is important to have a diet that is rich in antioxidants. Start including antioxidant-rich foods such as dark green veggies, red barriers, nuts, green tea, etc to reverse premature graying of hair.
3. Natural home remedies for grey hair
Try your hand on natural remedies to stop greying of hair. Some of them are given below:
Coconut oil and lemon – Coconut oil is a great source of essential fatty acids such as lauric acids and vitamins which keep your hair nourished, healthy and hydrated. Similarly, lemon is loaded with vitamins B & C, phosphorus and many other flavonoids that help to reverse gray hair.
Applying coconut oil and lemon home remedy for grey hair twice a week is considered quite beneficial. Both these natural ingredients help to restore the pigment cell in your hair follicles.
Amla and methi seeds (fenugreek seeds)– In Ayurveda, Amla is considered one of the most effective home remedies to keep your black and shiny naturally. Being packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, it lends anti-ageing effects to your hair follicles. It is said that amla boosts the pigment cells of your hair, making them look darker. Fenugreek seeds contain potassium that prevents graying of hair.
Curry leaves and coconut oil–This combination has been found very helpful in the premature graying of hair amongst teenagers. Both these ingredients are known to stimulate pigment melanin and keratin protein in hair.
4. Manage stress
The stress that you accumulate in your head may be contributing to excessive graying of hair. You will be surprised to know that stress is among the biggest culprits for causing graying in youngsters. Do not let this stress weigh down the beauty of your tresses. Start managing it wisely with deep breathing, meditation, and some yoga asanas.
5. Right hair care products
Not only the chemicals in your hair dyes but also harsh ingredients in your shampoo are equally liable for greying of hair. On the contrary, mild shampoos have numerous benefits for your hair and scalp. Mild shampoos remove dirt and impurities from your hair without washing away natural scalp oils.
Shampoos that comprise the ingredients like Niacinamide, Biotin, and Hydrolyzed Wheat Proteins are found quite effective to attain shiny, healthy, and voluminous hair.
Premature greying of hair is not completely reversible. However, identifying the cause of white hair and correcting the mistakes can help to control the spread of greying. The next step towards the prevention of premature greying is the nourishment of your strands with all needed vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients. Moreover, dermatologists suggest reducing the overload of chemicals and harsh ingredients on your scalp and head. Believe us, you can halt the aging of hair by taking the necessary action. Start the right care now and thank us later.
P.S.
In rare autoimmune diseases like vitiligo, loss of melanin pigment causes affected areas of skin to appear white or gray. In some cases, vitiligo also develops in scalp areas, resulting in white or gray hair.
