Worried about premature greying? Here are 5 ways to slow it down

We eventually need to accept grey hair, but you can keep it at bay for a little longer with simple steps like boosting your nutrient intake and managing stress.

Representative image of greying hair | Photo: Flickr/Beatrice Murch

It’s a tale as old as time: you’re getting ready and pop in front of the mirror to do a last-minute check. Then, suddenly you spot it—a shiny, reflective strand of hair either on top of your head or near your cheek. Your first grey hair.

Depending on how you feel about the natural aging process, you either accept your new hair reality or try to pluck out the intruder immediately because you’re just not ready for it.

If you fall in the latter camp, keep calm because there are ways to keep those silver strands at bay—for a while at least.

Our hair follicles have pigment cells that make melanin, which is responsible for the colour of our locks. As we grow older, these cells die and aren’t replaced, resulting in the hair colour getting lighter, then grey, and, eventually, white.

Premature greying is when your hair starts turning silver in your 20s. While the exact cause remains unknown, this early onset of greying is associated with aging disorders and autoimmune diseases. It also has a lot to do with genetic disposition. In fact, genetics play such a strong role that if either (or both) of your parents experienced premature greying, then it is almost certain you will too.

The bottom line? Greying is an inevitable part of life. The best we can do is delay it rather than stop it. Delaying the process also allows for a gentler transition to your changing appearance. Here are 5 strategies to slow down the march of grey.

 

Load up on vitamins & minerals

Genetics may play the greatest part in premature greying, but deficiencies in vitamins B12, biotin, D, B6, and E can exacerbate it. For instance, a 2016 paper in the Indian Journal of Trichology pointed to a link between low ferritin and vitamin B12 levels. In some cases, correcting nutritional deficiencies can slow down the greying of hair.

Vitamin B12 is primarily found in animal products like eggs, fish, and chicken, which can be a challenge for those following a plant-based diet. If the latter applies to you, consider fortified foods or supplements to ensure adequate intake.

To boost your vitamin D levels, consider taking vitamin D sachets or D3 tablets, along with having milk and getting moderate sun exposure between 11 am and 2 pm.

Food sources rich in biotin, also known as vitamin B7, include sweet potato, salmon, eggs, nuts, and seeds. For B6, include poultry, fish, potatoes, chickpeas, bananas, and fortified cereals in your menu.

When it comes to hair health, don’t neglect trace minerals, which play an oft-forgotten but important supporting role. Make sure you’re getting enough zinc, copper, magnesium, and selenium to promote hair growth and repair.

Stop smoking

Research shows a link between smoking and hair greying. Nicotine build-up in the hair follicles disrupts melanin formation, resulting in premature greying of hair. If you don’t smoke, it doesn’t mean you’re out of the woods! Even passive smoking is associated with early greying. So, the next time you accompany a friend while they smoke, take care of your hair.

Manage stress

A Harvard-led study showed a strong association between stress and premature greying. It pinpointed the stress-induced release of the chemical norepinephrine throughout the body, including the hair follicles, as the culprit. When norepinephrine reaches the hair follicles, it rapidly increases loss of pigmentation, leading to grey hair.

The direct connection between stress and greying surprised even the lead researcher, Dr Ya-Chieh Hsu of Harvard University. “When we started to study this, I expected that stress was bad for the body—but the detrimental impact of stress that we discovered was beyond what I imagined,” he reportedly said.

Steps that can be taken to manage stress include exercising, meditation, eating a well-balanced diet, and seeking professional help.

 

Protect your hair from pollution & chemicals

 UV rays and pollution are a double threat to hair health. While we remember to use sunscreen for our skin, we often skip the same care for our hair. Wearing a hat or a bandana when out and about in the sun, using hair masks/sheets regularly, and proper hydration are effective ways to protect your hair from sun damage.

It’s also important to be cautious about the products you apply to your hair. To start with, dyeing is a no-no. While it may camouflage those silvery strands temporarily, the chemicals needed for bleaching and dyeing damage hair follicles. So, when your dye has run its course, the greying comes back with a vengeance. If you still would like to colour your hair, discuss non-chemical options with your hairstylist.

Indiscriminate and excessive use of chemical-laden products can also cause follicle damage and contribute to early greying, whether it’s anti-dandruff shampoos, hair tonics, gels, or the latest entrant to the market, hair perfumes. Another bane if you want to slow down greying is hard water. So, if you live in a hard water area, use a filtration agent to reduce the damage.

If your parents had grey hair early and you want to get ahead of the curve, a couple of home remedies can equip you in the battle of the baal.

• Massage your hair with a combination of dried amla and coconut oil boiled together.
• Apply an overnight mask twice a week of crushed curry leaves mixed in yogurt.
• Eat a teaspoon of black sesame seeds daily on an empty stomach.

While we all need to accept grey hair and crow’s feet, slowing down the pace at which they appear is possible. With these tips, you can stay that grey until you’re ready to welcome it.

Dr Deepali Bhardwaj is a dermatologist, anti-allergy specialist, laser surgeon and internationally trained aesthetician. She tweets @dermatdoc. Views are personal.

(Edited by Asavari Singh)