Premature Greying of Hair: Causes & Tips for Treatments

Hair greying is a natural process that occurs in most human beings. It occurs with age when the cells present at the base of the hair follicles stop producing a special pigment called melanocytes. This pigment is responsible for giving hair its natural color. Sometimes, greying of hair can take place prematurely.

Doctors believe that this occurs because of a range of factors, such as deficiency of vitamin B12, oxidative stress, thyroid problems, and genetics, among others. But there are tips and tricks to help you prevent premature greying of hair. We look at the phenomenon of premature greying and ways to prevent it.

Causes of Premature Greying of Hair

It is not uncommon for people to have grey hair. It is especially present in older people. However, sometimes younger people can too experience greying of hair. If you are in your teens or your twenties and still experiencing premature greying of hair, then you may have any one or more of the following medical conditions:

1. Genetics: Genes play an important role in determining the color of our skin and that of our hair. If you are experiencing premature greying of hair, you might have had a father, a grandfather or an uncle who may have suffered from the same problem. It is impossible to change your genes.
   
   However, you can always color or dye your hair and give it the look you always wanted. However, while dying your hair, you must take necessary precautions to protect your hair follicles from harsh chemicals.
2. Stress: While everyone has to deal with stress at some point or the other, in some it might lead to medical problems, such as sleep problems, anxiety, change in appetite, and high blood pressure. Another fall out of stress is the greying of hair strands.
3. Autoimmune disease: An autoimmune disease is one in which the immune cells of the body attack its cells. This might also lead to premature greying of hair and even hair loss in patches. In the case of alopecia and vitiligo, the immune cells can also affect the color of the hair strands. You may experience premature greying of hair due to these autoimmune diseases.
4. Thyroid deficiency: The thyroid is a gland that is responsible for metabolism and a lot of other bodily functions. However, sometimes people can suffer from hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. In both cases, it can lead to grey hair, along with other problems. This deficiency can also force the body to produce less melanin, which can cause grey hair.
5. Vitamin B12 deficiency: This deficiency is perhaps the most common cause of prematurely white hair. Vitamin B12 is a key component in hair growth, hair density, and hair color. A deficiency of vitamin B12 can lead to a host of other complications. Talk to your doctor or dietician on ways to incorporate this vitamin into your diet.
6. Smoking: One study has conclusively found that there is a connection between the early onset of premature greying of hair and smoking. Smoking can also lead to other health problems such as respiratory illnesses and cardiac problems, along with reducing your life span significantly.

7 Tips for Premature Greying of Hair Treatment

1. Get enough vitamins: Diet plays a key role in hair health. Prevent premature greying of hair by taking a balanced diet. In particular, your diet should include vitamin b12, biotin, vitamins A and D, along with zinc, iron, magnesium, selenium, copper, etc. Make sure that you incorporate these protein items into your diet for the best results.
2. Stop smoking: There is good evidence to believe that cigarette smoke can increase oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress is a state in which there is an imbalance between the free radicals and antioxidants. Oxidative stress can cause hair damage, including hair thinning and hair greying.
3. Avoid stress: Stress is one of the most important causes of white hair. Stress can lead to Telogen effluvium in which hair follicles are pushed into the ‘resting’ phase so that they don't produce new hair strands. Over time, hair can fall out more easily, even if you're just washing, combing, or touching it. Telogen effluvium also can be caused by poor nutrition and changes in hormone levels.
4. Protect hair from the sun and pollution: Harsh sun rays and intense pollution can also deplete the pigments that typically give the color of our hair strands. The UV rays of the sun and the polluted air can also play havoc with our hair, leading to hair fall and premature greying of hair. Whenever you are stepping out into the sun, you must protect your hair strands. Wear a large sun hat or a scarf that will protect your precious locks from the outside elements.
5. Try out home remedies: Various home remedies can be tried out to prevent premature greying of hair. Curry leaves have a host of benefits for hair. It stops and prevents the premature graying of hair. At the same time, it moisturizes our hair follicles and gives them shine and bounce. Consuming curry juice and applying boiled curry leaves on the scalp can also cure premature hair graying.
6. Opt for natural hair dyes: There are plenty of natural dyes like Henna that can be used to hide grey hair. These dyes are better than commercial dyes available at the market as they do not contain any type of harmful chemicals, such as hydrogen peroxide. These chemicals can do more damage to the hair than many other hair products available in the market.
   
   Apply a paste of henna mixed with yogurt and a little bit of coffee powder. Apply it as a mask adequately covering all the hair strands and keep them aside for an hour or so. Wash it normally afterward. Regular usage of Henna can hide the grey hair strands and also prevent them from returning.
7. Take care of your hair: Regular brushing, shampooing, moisturizing and a monthly hair pack are essential services that must be incorporated into every haircare routine. This makes hair care easy, leaving you with bouncy and shiny hair with no tinge of greys. Brushing regularly promotes the circulation of blood in the scalp and at the hair roots.

This makes your hair stronger and beautiful. Cleaning your hair with subsequent conditioning not only deep cleans your scalp but also ensures hair longevity. All these ensure that premature graying does not occur. Finally, massaging your hair strands with coconut oil can also help in preventing premature white hair.

Can Premature Grey Hair Turn Black Again?

This depends on what causes your hair to turn grey. If for example, genetic factors lead to premature greying of hair then it cannot be reversed no matter how hard you try. Similarly, it is difficult to reverse premature greying of hair that occurs because of aging. If you are one of these unfortunate souls who is suffering from premature hair greying, then you may opt for natural hair dyes.

Today, dyes are available in a variety of colors and come in options without ammonia or harmful chemicals. However, if on the other hand, you are suffering from any underlying medical conditions, then curing it may reverse premature greying.

For instance, if you are suffering from thyroid issues, liver issues, or any type of autoimmune disease, then curing them would reverse premature greying. This will also cure you of several other hair problems, such as hair loss and hair thinning.

Can B12 Reverse Gray Hair?

Vitamin B12 plays a key role in several bodily functions including hair growth and preventing premature white hair. The human body does not produce B12. As a result, you must get it from several animal sources. Animal products like chicken, eggs, and milk contain plenty of this vitamin. So does fish. Therefore, a balanced diet must incorporate a healthy dose of this vitamin.

Alternatively, you may also opt for vitamin supplements to cope up with the deficiency of vitamin b12. FDA recommends consuming at least 2.4 mcg of vitamin b12 for normal healthy adults. However, doctors point out that if you make up for the deficiency in this vitamin, then it may reverse white hair.

Up your intake of vitamin b12 and see your white hair strands slowly turning black over a few months. The deficiency of this vitamin leads to what is known as pernicious anemia, which hampers the absorption of essential nutrients. One of the most important fallouts is turning hair into grey.

Conclusion

This essay looked at the phenomenon of hair greying. We argued that premature greying of hair can be caused by a variety of factors, such as age, genetics, stress, smoking, and environmental factors. To prevent premature greying of hair, it is important that we first follow a balanced diet containing vitamin b12.

At the same time, you may indulge in home-grown remedies, such as applying boiled curry leaves, massaging coconut oil, and opting for natural hair dyes free from hydrogen peroxide to prevent premature greying.

Reducing oxidative stress and chucking the habit of smoking can also help. Finally, if premature greying of hair is because of underlying medical conditions, like autoimmune diseases, then be sure to treat it to see a reversal of premature greying.

Advanced Hair Studio is your one-stop destination for all sorts of hair problems. We provide a range of scientific hair treatments to counter hair loss and promote hair growth. You can choose from our cutting-edge hair treatments such as AHS Complete or Fitness Program and watch as your hair starts to blossom.