Have you noticed a few grey strands popping up on your scalp or of someone you know in their teens or early 20s? It can be a real bummer to recognise the sign of ageing prematurely.
The colour of your hair comes from melanin, a pigment found in follicles. When our body stops producing melanin, hair turns grey. And as we get older, this happens to most people.
Premature greying is medically called Premature Canities. For many people, it sets in early, and without any family history.
Causes
Vitamin B12 Deficiency: It is a common cause of premature greying (PHG). If this is the reason for your greying hair, taking Vitamin B12 supplements may help reverse it.
Vitamin D3, Calcium, and S ferritin deficiency: These are the next common causes for prevalent PHG these days. And yes, greying can be reversed if deficiencies are corrected timely.
Sun exposure and Vitamin D: If you don’t have enough Vitamin D, you might notice your hair turning grey earlier than expected. This is because it affects the production of melanin in your hair follicles. Also, getting too much sun can damage your hair and make it grey faster than it normally would as you age.
Chemical treatments: Teenagers who colour or bleach their hair or use harsh chemical shampoos regularly are at risk of premature greying. Anti-dandruff shampoos are also known to cause early greying if used for long. It is ideal to restrict the use of anti-dandruff shampoo to once a week and to use a gentle shampoo that is free from sulphates, parabens, silicones, perfumes and dyes that can damage your hair.
Stress: Studies show that stress can cause grey hair. The body’s fight-or-flight response plays a key role in turning hair grey. So, if you are under a lot of stress, it could be the reason behind your premature greying hair.
Genetics: While scientists do not know exactly why some people go grey early, genes play a significant role. If early greying is due to genetics, it may not be preventable but can be delayed.
Hormonal imbalances: Problems with the pituitary or thyroid gland can cause premature greying, but these can be corrected with proper treatment.
Environmental factors: Early exhaustion of melanin is seen to be compounded by environmental factors such as exposure to pollutants or toxins. Both smoking and passive smoking can lead to it. As toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke also cause oxidative stress, which can accelerate the ageing process and contribute to PMG.
Inflammation or psychological stress: Some research suggests that inflammation or psychological stress can cause premature greying. If this is the case, finding ways to reduce inflammation or managing stress can help prevent or delay greying hair.
Although premature greying can be a tell-tale sign of some underlying cause, you can still dig deeper and take precautionary measures. Fortunately, there are several ways to prevent and reverse the greying of hair, such as eating a healthy diet and lifestyle, addressing deficiencies, and using natural remedies.
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Prevention
Eating more antioxidants: Antioxidants are known to combat oxidative stress and free radical damage, which can cause premature greying of hair. Adding citrus fruits like oranges, grapes, pineapple, berries and melon to one’s diet can also help. Consuming vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, beans can be beneficial. Red meat, chicken liver, and fish are other antioxidant options.
Addressing deficiencies: Deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals, such as B12, D3, and iron, can contribute to premature greying of hair. Addressing these deficiencies by incorporating supplements or nutrient-rich foods into your diet can help.
Quitting and reducing smoking: Smoking is a known culprit that can cause premature greying of hair, as it reduces blood flow to the scalp, which can negatively impact hair health. Therefore, quitting smoking is an essential step to prevent and reverse the greying of hair. Additionally, reducing exposure to passive smoking can also help prevent premature greying of hair.
Placenta extracts cream: Placenta extracts cream can help prevent premature greying of hair by promoting hair growth and improving overall hair health.
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The natural remedies
Natural remedies can be effective in preventing and reversing premature greying. Amla, a herbal hair supplement, is known to reverse greying of hair. It can be applied in hair and also consumed orally. To apply as oil, heat 2 teaspoons of amla powder in 3 tablespoons of coconut oil until it becomes black. Cool the mix and apply it to your hair. Aloe vera gel mixed with coconut oil can also be applied to your hair. Curry leaves are another natural remedy that can be very helpful. Heating a handful of curry leaves with coconut oil till it turns black and then cooling it down before applying it to the scalp can be effective. Including curry leaves, sesame seeds, amla, bitter gourd, and cow ghee in your diet will also help. It is also important to avoid washing your hair with hot water as it can damage your hair and cause PMG.
It is worth noting that even after the age of 30 if the cause of PMG is a deficiency, it can be corrected. It is not a big deal, and simple measures such as basic home remedies, having a healthy lifestyle, going to bed early, having less stress, and correcting vitamin deficiencies such as B12 can make a significant difference. As a dermatologist, I would recommend avoiding excessive use of hair products containing chemicals that can damage the hair and contribute to premature greying.
Dr Deepali Bhardwaj is a dermatologist, anti-allergy specialist, laser surgeon and internationally trained aesthetician. She tweets @dermatdoc. Views are personal.
(Edited by Anurag Chaubey)