Hairstyle, colour, and length of hair play an essential role in people’s self-perception and physical appearance. Hair greying is one of the initial and most noticeable signs of human ageing. Hair greying, also known as canities, is a process of chronological ageing that affects people regardless of their gender or race. The term premature greying is used only when greying occurs before the age of 20 years in whites, before 30 years in Africans, and before 25 years in Asians.
Premature hair greying (PHG) or canities has a considerable detrimental impact on the affected individual’s appearance, and self-esteem, considering the important function of hair in day-to-day social life. It is often thought of as a sign of old age and loss of health.[1],[2]
Did You Know?
Melanocytes are cells within each hair follicle that produce two basic pigments called pheomelanin or eumelanin, according to your DNA. Eumelanin is mostly present in brown and black hair, whereas pheomelanin is found in red and blond hair. The pigments produced in scalp hair degrade more slowly than the melanin that colours the skin. This allows the hair to maintain its colour as it grows for an average of 3.5 years.3
Grey hair develops as the number of melanocytes decreases. But the time when those cells begin to decrease varies from person to person. Here are some causes for hair greying:
Frequently, patients in their late 30s and 40s express concerns regarding premature greying. In such circumstances, counselling is necessary to educate them that greying is a distinctive aspect of ageing, and we must embrace it. In such instances, available safe colouring options can be considered since reversing natural hair colour may not be feasible.
Dr. Arpit Verma MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)
Specific genes related to greying of hair have been found. One study identified the gene responsible for controlling, producing and storing melanin. It was found that those with PHG had a family history of PHG and had a genetic tendency to develop allergic diseases like asthma or eczema.3
Individuals who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop grey hair.3
It was found in a study that smokers were at more risk of developing premature hair greying than nonsmokers. Although the mechanism behind this could not be found, it was suggested that smoking could increase oxidative stress that can damage melanin-producing cells.3
Stress can speed up the greying process. Stresses that are responsible for a fight-or-flight response might deplete the reserve of stem cells present in hair follicles that can be transformed into pigment cells when new hairs form.3
It was observed in a study that a deficiency of vitamin B12 can lead to PHG, which can be reversed when the vitamin is supplemented. Dairy products and meat are common natural sources of vitamin B12. This explains why a vegetarian diet could be a reason for developing PHG. It also might be difficult for older persons to absorb vitamin B12 through digestion.3
According to a study, it was found that diseases like vitiligo and alopecia areata can lead to premature greying. Vitiligo develops when cells that produce melanin stop functioning or die, causing loss of skin colour in patches over the body that commonly grow over time. In a few cases, it also leads to loss of hair colour. In alopecia areata, there can be a sudden loss of colour of hair, which might lead to more noticeable grey hair.[1]
Asking a dermatologist or trichology expert for assistance is the optimal approach to managing premature greying of hair, as identifying and tackling the root cause is crucial. Home remedies may not be universally successful in treating every case of greying.
Dr. Arpit Verma MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)
Also Read: Hot Oil Treatment for Hair: A Comprehensive Guide Based on Experts’ Advice
Other conditions that cause hair greying are:
The average age of onset of premature hair greying ranges from 2-22 years, and the earliest age of onset is 2 years.
Certain remedies are known to stimulate pigmentation of hair. These preparations help restore the natural hair colour and prevent hair greying. Some remedies for dealing with grey hair are:[1]
Sesame seeds, especially the black sesame, are known to blacken the hair. Hence, they can be applied to white hair.6 Eating some black sesame seeds twice a week may help to slow down or even reverse the hair greying process.
Amla enriches hair pigmentation. Dried fruit of amla and coconut oil can be boiled together till it gets charred and used to prevent hair greying.7 You can massage your hair with this amla oil and drink amla juice regularly to avoid premature greying of hair.
Using curry leaves is extremely beneficial in preventing greying of hair.8 Curry leaves crushed into a paste when mixed with yoghurt can be applied on hair twice a week to get the benefits.
It improves blood circulation and prevents premature hair greying.9 Ashwagandha root powder along with Brahmi powder may be formed into a paste and used as a mask. This mask can be massaged on the scalp and washed later for benefits. Consuming ashwagandha tea also helps to reduce greying of hair.
It prevents and deals with premature hair greying. Leaves of Bhringraj may be soaked in any oil overnight, and this oil may be applied to hair.9,10
Hibiscus contains vitamin C and A and iron. Paste of its flower along with any oil when applied to hair helps in managing grey hair by blackening the hair.9,10
Early greying of hair can be treated by obtaining a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Also Read: What Causes White Hair at Early Age? Understanding the Root Causes and Effective Management Options
Premature greying of hair can have a negative impact on young people’s self-esteem, particularly on those with darker hair types, due to the easy sight of grey hair. Therefore, long-lasting and efficient management of grey hair is essential. Today, there are several home remedies like oak galls, barley, onion juice, etc., that are known to be effective in dealing with grey hair.
Even with the proper understanding of the causes of grey hair, the exact reason for its premature onset is not well studied. Hence, satisfactory management for its reversal remains indescribable as of today.5
Also Read: Home Remedies For Hair Thinning
The pigment called melanin that gives colour to the skin and eyes also is responsible for determining the hair’s colour. Hair colour is determined by the quality and combination of melanin.12
Grey hair is melanin-depleted hair, whereas white hair is completely devoid of it. This is partly due to a decrease in the number of stem cells that mature into melanin-producing cells. The cells may become worn out, damaged, or lose the support systems that are responsible for keeping them functioning. Genes play a role in melanin production since they help regulate it. There are multiple causes for developing PHG, such as a poor diet, genes, vitamin deficiencies, obesity, smoking, stress and some diseases.12
Natural and synthetic hair dyes or colours are available. Indian gooseberry, false daisy, and henna are popular natural colours that are usually safe to use but necessitate frequent touch-ups due to weak colourants. There are two types of synthetic hair dyes- oxidative (use an oxidising agent like hydrogen peroxide to produce hair colour) and nonoxidative (do not contain an oxidising agent)5
Vitamin B12, biotin, folic acid, and vitamin E can be taken orally for the management of grey hair.5
Compounds like calcium pantothenate, green tea extract, phytoestrogens, and para-aminobenzoic acid can be taken orally to manage grey hair.5
Also Read: Effective Home Remedies For Frizzy Hair
Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
Our hair can speak volumes when it comes to overall health and well-being. From time to time, our hair gives us many silent signs, and we should pay attention to these, as they could be underlying reasons for something big! In most cases, these symptoms can also indicate that you ought to change your diet and lifestyle.
Here’s a curated list of some of these symptoms that will allow you to better take care of your hair health.
Hair loss
Losing some amount of hair each day is a regular phenomenon. But if you start to notice significant strands of hair on the pillow and bathroom sink, don’t ignore it. In most cases, loss of hair is an indication of an underlying illness or stress. However, sometimes it may also indicate the early occurrence of a scalp infection. Many times, diabetes patients also experience the condition of hair loss and hair thinning. Speak to your doctor if you are facing any allergies to your medications. In some cases, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies and autoimmune disorders can also cause hair loss. However, do not self-medicate.
Read: Mintop Forte Hairfall Solution
Premature Greying of hair
Greying of hair doesn’t always mean that you are catching up on the age front. Many times, this condition can be caused due to thyroid issues, anaemia, vitamin deficiency, and early signs of vitiligo.
A healthy scalp should not have any redness or dryness and should be free of flakes or any signs of infection. Your scalp should look clean, smooth, and moisturized with no dryness on the surface. If you are experiencing any itchiness, irritation, or burning, this can indicate that your scalp is unhealthy.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Dry hair
Most of the time, dry hair can indicate that you are suffering from dehydration or a thyroid disorder. To counter this situation, it’s best to up your water intake immediately and avoid the consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and artificial sweeteners. Addressing the underlying cause of the problem is the key.
Dull hair
Dull and frizzy hair can talk a lot about your health. This condition primarily occurs when your body is experiencing a shortage of iron, protein, zinc and other essential vitamins.
Hair shedding and hair thinning are very commonly seen but frequently ignored situations that are affected by dandruff and Seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, which are reported to cause premature hair loss even though dandruff alone usually does not cause hair loss.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
Your hair is not growing
Shunted and slow hair growth indicates a lack of protein. When this happens, it’s probably time to add some protein-rich food to your diet.
Nonetheless, we should not ignore these symptoms and consult a dermatologist or trichologist immediately to avoid any potential risk. You can also take these health checkups to further understand the cause of these signs. Avoid self-treatment and seek medical help.
Also Read: Peppermint Oil For Hair: A Research-Backed Guide To Benefits And Usage
This package includes important tests such as Iron Profile, Thyroid Profile, Serum Zinc, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin D Total which help understand the causes of hair fall. People of all age groups can take both these tests once every 6 months.
To treat the problem of hair fall, it is essential to understand and address the underlying cause of it. In simple terms, hair fall indicates our body responding to a stressful event, illness, hormonal imbalance or medication. Some medicines may result in severe side effects and should be immediately brought to your doctor’s notice. It may be due to a nutritional deficiency of essential minerals and vitamins or hormonal imbalances. Focus on the root cause of the problems, and keep flaunting your hair.
The right foods can help your hair grow. Read more HERE.
