Gray hair is the normal part of aging, but for some people, it begins earlier than they expect. It is the moment to freak out when you notice some gray strands in your 20s or 30s. Well, it is nothing to worry about. Some people begin to develop gray hair in their 30s or 40s, while others may have it earlier. Here are causes and fixes to deal with gray hair.
Why Hair Turns Gray?
Your hair follicles have pigmented cells that form melanin, a chemical that is responsible for the color of your skin, eyes, and hair. When pigment-producing cells in the hair shaft die, your hair turns gray.
Causes of Gray Hair
- Genetics- plays a big part in greying your hair. If one of your parents had premature grey hair, you would most likely develop it at an early age too.
- Oxidative stress- the free radicals that form inside your body or from the outside environment also cause the premature aging of hair. It is crucial to consume a healthy diet to fight the inner radicals and use quality hair care products to deal with the environmental stressors.
- Nutritional Deficiencies or Medical Conditions- The deficiency of vitamin B, D, E, and Biotin contributes to greying hair. In addition, certain medical conditions like autoimmune diseases increase the risk of melanin deficiency in hair shafts.
How to Deal with Gray Hair?
You cannot reverse the process but can try to prevent the worsening of the condition and hide the existing grey strands.
- Eat a Healthy Diet
A diet rich in antioxidants lessens oxidative stress. For example, vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, is abundantly present in oranges, broccoli, and bell peppers. Vitamin E is another antioxidant you may find in leafy green vegetables. Therefore, consume plenty of whole foods, fruits, and vegetables, and avoid processed food.
- Manage Your Stress
Stress triggers the premature greying of hair. Try to reduce the unnecessary stressors in your life or find productive ways like exercise, deep breathing, or meditation to manage stress.
- Quit Smoking
Quit smoking for your hair health and your overall health in general. Smoking is linked with the premature graying of hair. In addition, it activates a stress response that accelerates the aging process. It reduces melanin production in hair follicles and causes the hair to grey much faster. If your hair is already grey, cigarette smoke causes a yellow cast on hair that makes it appear dull and lifeless.
- Use an Anti-Gray Shampoo
Anti-gray shampoos are specially designed to prevent and reverse gray hair. Try Shiny Black- Anti-Gray Shampoo by LYDICCA. It does not contain any dye and works on all hair colors and types. It includes the melanin pigment that helps to restore the original hair color. In addition, it does not include any harsh chemicals to damage your hair.
Though Gray hair is not entirely reversible, eating a healthy diet, managing stress, and using an anti-gray hair shampoo can help you slow down the process. Adopt a healthy lifestyle to hold on to your natural hair color for longer.