Although White Hair Is Sometimes Associated With Aging, It Can Also Affect People At Younger Ages. Managing This Shift Can Be Aided By Investigating Natural Preventative Techniques And Comprehending The Causes. This Guide Includes Helpful Preventative Advice Along With Insights Into The Causes Of White Hair.
What Causes White Hair?
The Lack Of Melanin, The Pigment That Gives Hair Its Color, Causes White Hair. Hair Gradually Turns Gray Or Becomes Whiter As We Age Because Melanin Production Declines With Aging. Premature Graying, However, Can Be Brought On By A Number Of Causes That Can Quicken This Process.
Genetics:
The Timing And Rate At Which Your Hair Turns White Are Mostly Determined By Your Genetic Makeup. You Could Be More Likely To Suffer Early Graying If Your Parents Or Ancestors Did.
Growing Older:
Aging Is The Most Frequent Cause Of White Hair. Your Hair Follicles’ Melanin-Producing Cells Eventually Stop Working As You Age, Which Results In A Loss Of Color.
Inadequate Nutrient Absorption:
Lack Of Vital Nutrients Can Affect The Synthesis Of Melanin. Premature Graying May Be Caused By Deficiencies In Certain Vitamins And Minerals, Including Iron, Copper, Zinc, And Vitamin B12.
Stress:
Your Hair’s Color May Change If You Experience Ongoing Stress. Although The Exact Relationship Between Stress And Graying Is Still Up For Question, Stress-Related Alterations To General Health Can Affect Hair Color.
Medical Conditions:
Premature Graying Of The Hair Can Be Caused By Autoimmune Illnesses And Certain Medical Conditions. Thyroid Issues And Vitiligo Are Two Conditions That Might Affect Your Hair’s Color.
Exposure To Chemicals:
White Hair Is Caused By The Disruption Of Melanin Production And Damage To Hair Follicles Caused By Harsh Chemicals Used In Hair Color And Treatments.
Natural Strategies For Avoiding And Treating White Hair:
Adopting A Healthy Lifestyle And Employing Natural Therapies Can Help Slow Down The Process And Maintain The Health Of Your Hair, Even Though It May Not Be Feasible To Totally Prevent White Hair.
How early is too early for white hair depends on your genetics. A 2013 study suggested that white or gray hair is considered premature if it pops up before age 30 for black folks, age 25 for folks of Asian descent, and age 20 for white folks.
The study also found that early-onset grays didn’t mean faster progress, so no worries there. But why are you getting these early white strands in the first place?
Genetic factors can be fun when you’re talking about your mom’s gorgeous cheekbones or your dad’s height, but they might be a little less pleasant when it comes to things like premature white hair.
Alas, there’s a hefty link between early white hair and genetics, which you can’t do anything about. *shrug*
A 2016 study of people of European, Native American, and African descent even found a gene that researchers believe is responsible for 30 percent of gray hair. This gene is also more prevalent in people with lighter hair colors (thanks, Mom!).
Smoking:
Lifestyle choices like smoking also come into play. Lighting up is known to speed up skin aging and can cause premature grays. A 2013 study found that people who smoke cigarettes have more gray hair before age 30.
Stress:
Remember your parents saying, “You kids are turning my hair gray”? Well, there may be some truth to it. Stress is thought to cause premature white hair because it depletes melanocyte stem cells (which help create hair color).
Researchers in a recent study found that mice exposed to stress had more depleted melanocyte stem cells in their hair follicles. The more stressed the mice, the less pigment their melanocytes produced.
This would also explain why U.S. presidents often seem to have more gray hair at the end of their terms!
Alopecia Areata:
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that can cause hair loss. In some cases, it also causes regrown hair to lose pigment, thanks to a melanin deficiency.
Vitiligo:
Nearly 1 percent of the world’s population has vitiligo, an autoimmune disease that causes areas of the skin to lose pigmentation. This can also affect parts of the body that have hair, turning the hair white or gray.
Thyroid Disorders:
Hormonal changes due to thyroid conditions like hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism can also be to blame for too-soon white hair.
Thyroid health actually plays a big role in hair color. If your thyroid is overactive or underactive, it can cause your body to create less melanin, which you need for pigmented hair.
Vitamin Deficiencies:
Vitamin B-12 is the big boss of vitamins. It not only gives you energy but also contributes to hair growth and hair color.
B-12 helps healthy red blood cells carry oxygen to the other cells in your body, which — you guessed it — includes your hair cells. A lack of B-12 can mess with melanin production, leading to loss of pigment.
BTW, sometimes the cause of a vitamin B-12 deficiency is pernicious anemia. This condition makes it impossible for your body to absorb the B-12 needed to create enough healthy red blood cells.
Vitamins B-6, D, and E and biotin are crucial to hair health too. A deficiency of the mineral copper can also hurt melanin production and lead to gray hair.
Oxidative Stress:
Oxidative stress is an imbalance in your body between free radicals (those nasty unstable molecules that contribute to disease and aging) and antioxidants. This imbalance prevents antioxidants from counteracting the damaging effects of free radicals.
Studies suggest oxidative stress also has a hand in the aging process of hair follicles.
Werner Syndrome:
This rare, progressive hereditary condition causes accelerated aging, including hair loss and/or white hair by age 25.
Harsh Hair Products:
A little research on your go-to hair products (dyes, shampoos, etc.) may go a long way. Many shampoos contain harsh chemicals that may not be doing your hair any favors and may even decrease melanin.
Plus, we all know that constantly bleaching and dyeing hair isn’t good for it. Hydrogen peroxide is one chemical in particular that has been shown to prompt the damaging effects of oxidative stress on hair.
Keep Your Diet Balanced:
A Balanced Diet Full Of Vital Nutrients Promotes General Health And Has A Favorable Effect On The Color Of Hair. Pay Particular Attention To Including The Following Nutrients In Your Diet:
• Vitamin B12: Essential For Normal Hair Pigmentation, Vitamin B12 Is Present In Meats, Dairy Products, And Eggs.
• Iron: Leafy Greens, Legumes, And Red Meat Are Among The Sources. Hair Problems May Be Exacerbated By An Iron Deficit.
• Copper: Copper Aids In The Synthesis Of Melanin And Is Present In Nuts, Seeds, And Shellfish.
• Zinc: Found In Whole Grains, Nuts, And Legumes, Zinc Is Important For Healthy Hair.
Maintain Hydration:
To Keep Your Hair Healthy, You Must Drink Enough Water. To Maintain Overall Health And Keep Your Hair And Scalp Nourished, Drink Lots Of Water.
Control Your Stress:
Make Stress-Reduction Techniques A Part Of Your Everyday Routine. Methods Like Yoga, Meditation, And Consistent Exercise Can Help Lower Stress Levels And Improve General Health.
Use Products For Natural Hair Care:
Choose Hair Care Products Devoid Of Unnatural Dyes And Harsh Chemicals. Hair Health Can Be Preserved With The Use Of Natural Shampoos And Conditioners Including Components Like Hibiscus, Coconut Oil, And Aloe Vera.
Guard Your Hair:
Steer Clear Of Chemical Treatments And Heavy Heat Styling Since These Can Harm Your Hair. Protect Your Hair From Environmental Stresses Like Sun And Pollution By Donning Protective Measures Like A Scarf Or Hat.
Examine Natural Solutions:
It Is Thought That The Following Natural Therapies Can Promote General Health And Hair Pigmentation:
• Amla, Or Indian Gooseberry: Known For Its High Vitamin C Content, Amla Has Long Been Used To Support Healthy Hair And Delay The Onset Of Graying.
• Henna: Henna May Treat Hair And Add Temporary Color When Used As A Natural Hair Dye.
• Curry Leaves: Using Curry Leaves In Hair Oils Helps Promote The Health Of Your Hair Because They Are Known To Have Antioxidant Qualities.
• Black Sesame Seeds: When Consumed In Food, It Is Believed That These Seeds Would Support Hair Coloring.
Schedule Routine Exams:
Frequent Medical Examinations Might Assist In Detecting Underlying Diseases That Might Cause Premature Graying Of The Hair. Timely Resolution Of Health Concerns Can Enhance General Health And Possibly Have An Effect On Hair Health.
When To Get Expert Counsel:
Although Adopting A Healthier Lifestyle And Using Natural Therapies Can Be Helpful, It’s Crucial To Get Expert Help If:
• At An Early Age, You Notice Sudden Or Widespread Graying Of Your Hair.
• You May Be Dealing With Underlying Issues If You Have Additional Symptoms Or Health Concerns.
• You Wish To Look Into Medical Hair Coloring Procedures Or Treatments.
Summary:
Gaining Knowledge About The Reasons Behind White Hair And Implementing Natural Preventative Techniques Might Assist You In Better Handling This Transition. Maintaining The Health And Beauty Of Your Hair Mostly Requires A Natural Hair Care Regimen, Stress Reduction Techniques, And A Balanced Diet. While Some Graying Is A Normal Part Of Aging, You Can Slow Down The Process And Maintain Healthy Hair By Looking Into Natural Therapies And Taking Good Care Of Your General Health.