Premature Greying of Hair

Is Premature white hair giving you bad nightmares? If you’re among those who are dealing with unwanted premature greying of hair and trying to reverse it through several tricks, this article is for you.

Greying hair is a part of your natural ageing journey. Your skin has millions of hair follicles that contain a pigment which is called melanin. As you grow older, hair follicles lose this pigment turning your hair grey.

What Causes White Hair?

1. Genetics

According to studies, premature greying of hair can be related to genetics. It is likely that you will have grey hair at an early age if your parents had premature grey hair.

2. Stress

Stress can lead to a variety of problems like anxiety, high blood pressure, sleeplessness and so on. And also extreme stress can turn your hair grey as well.

3. Diet

An imbalanced diet can accelerate greying of hair. Processed foods, cold drinks, and excess intake of salt and sugar increase the risk of free radical generation in the body which can cause grey hair.

4. Vitamin Deficiency

A lack of vitamins like vitamin B, D, E, biotin can cause premature greying of hair. Vitamin deficiencies can affect pigmentation but can be reversed using various vitamin supplements.

5. Chemical Hair Products

Haircare products like shampoos and conditioners can lead to premature greying of hair, due to the chemicals present which decrease your melanin content. Hair dyes containing hydrogen peroxide and bleaching agents can also leave the hair white when used for longer periods.

6. Smoking

Smoking not only maximizes the risk of lung cancer and heart disease but puts your hair at risk as well. The toxins in cigarette smoke can affect the hair follicles causing grey hair earlier than even expected.

7. Medical Conditions

When you talk about the reasons for prematurely white or grey hair, you need to consider a few medical conditions as the contributing factors like autoimmune disease and thyroid disorder which can trigger grey hair.

Premature grey hair treatment

1. Medicated/Doctor Prescribed Products

Treatments start with the determination of the type of greying and the underlying causes of them. Your doctor may provide you with shampoos, conditioners, oils, serums and hair masks suiting your hair type.

2. Cosmetic Shampoos

Cosmetic shampoos consist of certain ingredients that can impart colour to your grey locks. Besides offering colour, these shampoos can also reform the texture of your hair.

3. Essential Oils

Essentials oil helps make and maintain melanin to the maximal levels. Rosemary, sandalwood, lavender, fenugreek, argan and amla essential oils are some of the very helpful oils.

4. Food Sources

Antioxidant-rich foods can help with oxidative stress and grey hair. Free radicals form in the body due to certain factors like sunlight, smoking, ageing and pollution. Consume antioxidant-rich foods like berries, green tea, broccoli, olive oil and fish to reverse premature greying and provide hair nourishment.

DIY effective home remedies for white hair

Natural ingredients can be used to slow down greying of hair, without any adverse side effects.

Following are some natural remedies you can use to get rid of the grey hairs:

1. Curry Leaves

Take a few curry leaves and mix them with a carrier oil like coconut oil or jojoba oil. Heat the oil until it turns slightly black in colour. Let it cool down for a while and apply the oil gently to your scalp. Keep it overnight and wash it the next morning for the best results.

2. Gooseberry or Amla

Take the juice of one Amla and mix it with the juice of one fresh lemon. Apply the mix directly to your scalp and leave it for 30 minutes. Wash the hair with lukewarm water and pat your hair completely dry.

3. Black Tea

Black tea has tannic acid, which can make your hair darker and shinier. Take 2-3 tea bags or 2 tsp of tea leaves. Make tea without using any sugar or milk. Allow it to cool down before applying. Always use the concoction on clean and wet hair. Keep it for at least 30 minutes and then rinse it off properly.

4. Bhringaraj

Massaging with Bhringraj hair oil provides you with a calming effect on your scalp and fights issues like hair fall, grey hair, etc.

Take some Bhringaraj leaves or powder and mix it with some coconut oil. Heat the mixture properly. Once the mixture cools down apply it to your scalp.

Ways to prevent white hair

1. Quit Smoking

Smokers have more chances of pigment loss compared to non-smokers.

2. Turn To Antioxidants

Include a lot of antioxidant-rich foods in your diet which helps to prevent oxidative stress and grey hair.

3. Protect Your Hair From The Sun

The harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun can cause premature greying of hair. Protect your hair with a hat or scarf while roaming outdoors.

4. Avoid Stress

Practise meditation and exercise to keep yourself free from daily stress.

Can White Hair Turn Black Again?

Genetic and age-related greying of hair cannot be reversed. However, greying of hairs related to diet, pollution, bleaching and stress can be slowed down with a well-balanced diet and a good hair care routine.

Take Away

Proper hair care and a balanced diet can slow down and can possibly reverse grey hair. Talk to your healthcare professional about treatments, shampoos and other products if you want to stop grey hair without a dye.