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How To Stop Premature Greying Of Hair

Handsome man looking at his hair in bathroom

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Pull the brakes on those white strands!

A A A tT

You’re yet to graduate from college, but have MORE grey hair than your old man! While a salt and pepper look is great on older adults, it can be daunting for younger men in their 20s or early 30s. While science hasn’t yet advanced to a point where they can reverse premature greying, there are ways to prevent new ones from sprouting!

CAUSES AND FIXES

Loss of melanin, the pigment that gives our skin/hair it’s dark hue is one of the primary reasons that lead to premature greying! The human body has millions of hair follicles (small sacs lining the skin). The follicles generate hair and pigment cells that contain melanin. As we age, hair follicles lose pigment cells, resulting in white or grey hair. This happens to everyone over time. However, there are some others that accelerate this process. Take a closer look at some factors that lead to early greying along with some tips to counter them….

HEREDITARY

Horrified young man looking in the mirror at the first grey hair on his scalp

If your dad or other members of the family turned grey at an early age chances are that you will too!

THE FIX
SORRY! Life isn’t always fair, and we don’t get to choose our parents or genes!

▶ SMOKING

 man drinking beer, smoking cigarette and shaking ashes to ashtray at bar or pub

There are enough studies and research, which have found smoking to be one of the key factors resulting in premature greying in men under 30! Well, apart from probably giving you cancer or other terminal illnesses, smoking like a chimney accelerates the ageing process—of both your skin and hair!

THE FIX
Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure this one out! Duh. Stop your nicotine addiction, as kicking the butt increases blood circulation, reducing the appearance of those pesky white strands, but also wrinkles!

▶ POOR DIET

Man eating potato chips

Like they say, you’re what you eat! Just like our skin, our hair needs good stuff too. Antioxidants help combat damage caused by pollution, stress, and poor diet. Free radicals tend to speed up the ageing process when it comes to our skin, and this is exactly what antioxidants help fight against.

THE FIX
An antioxidant-rich diet! Avocados, berries, dark, leafy greens, fish, green tea and olive oil are all fabulous sources that reduce the oxidative stress on your cells and prevent damage. Have a shot of fresh amla juice, as it has antioxidative properties and is great for hair. Plus, have eggs and lean meats like chicken and turkey—protein also gives hair the lustre and shine.

▶ VITAMIN DEFICIENCIES

Variety of vitamin pills in wooden spoon on white background with green leaf

A lack of vitamin B12 and copper can accelerate premature greying!

THE FIX
Have multivitamins after consulting with your doctor to make up for this deficiency. Double your efforts by adding Omega-3 fatty acids—as they promote hair growth, strength and the health of your hair follicles—which produce melanin. Fish-oil capsules or flaxseed/hemp seed oils are good sources too!

▶ STRESS

Upset unhappy young man in white t-shirt squeezing head with hands

In a recent study in the US scientists were able to actually link premature greying to high stress levels. When you’re in a state of duress the body has an auto-wired fight or flight response. The culprit behind premature greying is—the sympathetic nervous system! These nerves are all over the body, including making inroads to each hair follicle, the researchers reported. Chemicals released during the stress response—specifically norepinephrine—causes pigment-producing stem cells to activate prematurely, depleting the hair’s ‘reserves ’of colour.

THE FIX
We know it’s easier said than done, but don’t sweat the small stuff. Find time to exercise and some ‘alone’ time to pursue something that you love—be it music, dancing or kickboxing. Exercise is also a great way to increase blood circulation, stay healthy and positive. A hot-oil head massage increases blood circulation and is super calming too. Bringharaj oil and coconut oil with curry leaves are said to prevent your hair from turning white!

So, no more panicking! Keep calm, follow these tips, and prevent greys!

 

[All Image Credits: Shutterstock]

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