Premature Greying of Hair: Causes and Prevention

Kathmandu. According to the 'World Health Organization', millions of people worldwide experience premature hair graying every year. According to the 'National Institute of Health', more than 25% of people worldwide experience premature hair graying. This is called 'Premature Greying'. Hair starts to look white when the amount of melanin decreases. This usually happens after the age of 40. But if it happens earlier, it is called 'Premature Greying'. Many reasons like genetics, bad lifestyle, and lack of nutrition are responsible for this. Therefore, today we will talk about the problem of premature hair graying. We will also learn, what causes hair to turn gray at a young age? How to change diet to keep hair healthy? Can gray hair turn black again? What is 'Premature Greying'? Answer- The black color of hair is made from melanin pigment. As age increases, the hair roots produce less melanin. This causes hair to look white. If this process starts at the age of 20-30, it is called 'Premature Greying'. If there is no genetic or health-related problem, a person's hair starts to turn gray between the ages of 30-40. By the age of 50, most people's hair turns white or gray. Why does the problem of 'Premature Greying' occur? If the cells in the scalp do not produce enough melanin or stop producing it, hair starts to turn gray. There can be many reasons for this. Reasons for premature hair graying: Smoking, Genetics (hereditary), Nutrient deficiency, Pollution, Stress and anxiety, Effect of ultraviolet (UV) rays, Thyroid problems. Premature hair graying can also occur due to deficiency of some vitamins and minerals. These nutrients cause hair to turn gray: Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Zinc, Iron, Copper, Folate. Why does hair turn gray due to stress and anxiety? Prolonged stress and anxiety increase stress hormones in the body. This affects the melanin-producing cells in the hair roots. As a result, less melanin is produced and hair turns gray. Stress increases oxidative stress, which can destroy melanin-producing cells. Can hair turn gray from staying in the sun too much? Yes, excessive sun (UV rays) exposure can damage hair. UV rays increase oxidative stress, which can harm melanin. However, sun alone is not the main cause of 'Premature Greying'. Genetics, nutritional deficiencies, and other health problems are bigger causes. A bad lifestyle can increase the risk of 'Premature Greying'. For example: Smoking, Lack of sleep, Unhealthy diet, Constant stress, Low physical activity. Due to some diseases, melanin-producing cells can be affected. This can cause premature hair graying. For example: Thyroid disorder, Vitiligo (an autoimmune disease that causes white patches on the skin.), Other autoimmune conditions, Rare genetic problems. What changes should be made in the diet to keep hair black? To keep hair black and healthy, one should eat foods rich in Vitamin B12, Iron, Copper, Zinc, Folic Acid, and Protein. Foods for healthy hair: Milk-curd, Green leafy vegetables, Lentils, Dry fruits, Legumes, Fruits, Eggs, Fish. Make these important changes in your overall lifestyle to keep your hair black: Get enough sleep: 7-9 hours of sleep daily is necessary for body recovery and cells. Manage stress: Yoga, meditation, and deep breathing can help. Exercise regularly: Blood circulation and overall health remain good. Eat a balanced diet: Vitamins, minerals, and protein-rich food are essential for hair. Avoid chemicals and heat: Frequent dyeing, bleaching, or heat styling can damage hair. Do not smoke: It increases the risk of 'Premature Greying'. What to do for healthy hair? Eat protein-rich food. Take Iron, Zinc, Biotin. Drink enough water. Sleep 7-9 hours daily. Control stress. Exercise regularly. Keep the scalp very clean. Avoid heat and chemical treatments. Stay away from cigarettes and tobacco. Protect from sun, dust, and pollution. Do not rub wet hair. Do not ignore any problem. Common FAQs related to 'Premature Greying'. Can gray hair turn black again? Generally, completely grayed hair does not turn black again. If the graying is due to vitamin or mineral deficiency, it can turn black again. For example: If there is a Vitamin B12 deficiency. If there is an Iron deficiency. If there is a thyroid problem. Does plucking gray hair cause more gray hair? No, this is just a myth. Plucking one gray hair does not cause more white hairs to grow in its place. Generally, only one hair grows from a hair follicle. However, repeatedly plucking hair can damage the hair follicle. This can make the hair thinner or stop hair from growing in that place. If parents' hair turned gray early, will their children's hair also turn gray similarly? Yes, genetics is the most important cause of 'Premature Greying'. If parents' hair turned gray at a young age, the chances of their children's hair turning gray early also increase. However, this is not necessary in every case. Diet, lifestyle, health, and environmental factors also play a role. Does applying hair color cause hair to turn gray faster? Not necessarily. Hair color does not affect melanin production. Therefore, it does not directly cause hair to turn gray faster. However, frequent or improper use of hair color, bleach, and chemicals can make hair dry, weak, or damaged. When should one consult a doctor if symptoms of hair graying appear? Consult a doctor if the following symptoms appear: If hair starts to turn gray rapidly at a young age. If hair is falling out a lot along with graying. If feeling very tired and weak along with 'Premature Greying'. If there is sudden weight gain or loss. If white patches also appear on the skin. If feeling unusually cold or hot. If there is a family history of thyroid or autoimmune diseases. (Source: Dainik Bhaskar)