Let’s look at some of these causes in greater detail:
Vitamin B12 and Iron Deficiency
Vitamin B12 is a vital nutrient essential for the appropriate development and functioning of various body parts. These include blood cells, nerves, the brain, etc. It helps to generate Red Blood Cells (RBCs) which transport oxygen to every part of your body, including the scalp. Therefore, vitamin B12 deficiency is one of the major reasons for hair whitening.
A lack of RBCs can lead to a lack of melanin, which causes premature greying. You must consume foods rich in vitamin B12, such as shellfish, beef liver, cheese, or eggs for Vitamin B12.
Iron deficiency can also lead to grey hair. Iron is a vital mineral that helps create haemoglobin – the substance found in RBCs. Lacking an adequate amount of iron means lesser blood cells, which leads to insufficient oxygen supply to your scalp. Naturally, this causes grey hair at a young age. Some good sources of iron include leafy greens like kale and spinach and beans, lentils and nuts.
Stress
A lot of people ask this: is gray hair caused by stress? In short, Yes. Stress is a critical factor in the premature greying of hair. When you’re stressed, your body goes into fight-or-flight mode. This can affect the melanin levels in your hair follicles. As a result, your hair will turn white or grey prematurely.
A healthy intake of Vitamin C can help decrease stress hormones in your blood. In addition to helping you manage stress and increase your energy level, vitamin C plays an essential role in producing collagen, which is necessary for healthy skin. It is equally beneficial for your blood vessels and the growth of tissue around the hair follicle. Stress does not cause the hair to turn grey; instead, it stops the pigment cells from producing more melanin.
Excessive smoking and alcohol consumption
Excessive smoking and alcohol consumption can cause white or grey hair because chemicals in smoke and alcohol damage the hair follicles, causing them to lose their pigment cells prematurely.
Apart from greying hair, these habits are detrimental to your overall health. For example, smoking increases one’s risk of cancer and heart disease, among other things. Additionally, indulging in excessive consumption forces your body to constantly repair damage from these activities. Thus, your body is busy coping with the damage instead of producing enough pigment for your hair.
Pollution
Often overlooked, pollution is responsible for premature grey hair in several cases. Pollution in the air causes the creation of free radicals, which are highly reactive molecules that can damage tissues and cells, including our DNA.
The premature greying of hair is a sign that you’re ageing at a faster pace than normal! You must try to limit your scalp’s exposure to dust, smoke, and other pollutants in the air.
Thyroid problems
The thyroid, a gland in the neck, plays an important role in many bodily functions. In people who have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), hair may turn grey prematurely. This is because an inadequate amount of thyroid hormone causes melanocytes to stop functioning correctly.
Symptoms
It’s a no-brainer that the most evident symptom of premature greying is white hair popping anywhere on your scalp. It is easy to spot. You will notice your hair becoming grey, whitened or lighter than usual. When your hair starts to become grey or whitened at an early age, it is not just the colour that is changed but also the texture of the locks. Often, a person with prematurely greying hair will notice extreme sensitivity in their hair and scalp. Nonetheless, this may vary among people.
Grey hair itself isn’t necessarily ugly. What makes it unattractive is when it becomes noticeable because of other things.
First of all, excessive whitening of the hair can cause grey strands to become more prominent than they would be otherwise. If your scalp produces too much sebum due to using an excessive amount of shampoos or lotions, these excess oils will naturally cling to you. This can leave you with clumps of greasy residue that fall out easily enough on their own but combine with natural grey strands to create a noticeable contrast between your white roots and grey hair.
Secondly, if you have medical conditions that affect melanin production, you can experience patches of grey in your hair. For example, an inflammation in the skin surrounding your scalp, some sort of medication causing hormone imbalances, etc. These types of symptoms usually require medical attention from a licensed health professional.
Prevention of Premature Grey Hair
There are multiple things you can do to slow down the premature greying process, prevent, and even reverse it. One of the most important things for protecting your hair is to eat a balanced diet. A balanced, nutritious diet will keep your hair healthy, which will prevent premature greying. Some foods that can help reduce greying are eggs, milk, broccoli and carrots.
You should try to avoid or limit smoking and alcohol consumption.
You must also avoid stress as this can cause premature greying of hair. However, if you have stress-related severe problems, consult a health professional who can suggest ways to deal with them effectively.
Some valuable tips for preventing premature greying are as follows:
- Use organic shampoos and conditioners instead of those made from artificial ingredients.
- Avoid excessive heat like hot yoga or saunas as these put extra pressure on your scalp;
- Oil your roots regularly as it helps keep clumps of dead cells away from the growth area. This ensures that the new cells formed from the follicles stay protected from damage.
- Use homemade masks made with warm oils like coconut oil or castor oil to revive dry skin on wet hair (a common practice among women).
- Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits rich in antioxidants (like blueberries). These naturally fight with free radicals that cause damage to hair follicles and lead to greyness over time.
- Regularly visit the right specialist if needed. This is because certain treatments (such as bleaching) would not be entirely effective or stop at some stage.
