Scientists don't know exactly why some people go gray early, but genes play a large role. Also, a vitamin B-12 deficiency or problems with your pituitary or thyroid gland can cause premature graying that's reversible if the problem is corrected, Benabio says.
POSSIBLE ETIOPATHOGENESIS OF GRAYING
Reversible hypopigmentation of the hair can be seen in nutritional deficiencies protein-energy malnutrition and diseases of chronic loss of protein. Copper and iron deficiency also can cause graying of hair.
It is not uncommon to have a few white hair strands at any age. The cause could be genetic, stress, or nutritional deficiencies. You may want to consult a doctor or a nutritionist to determine the root cause and to see if there are any dietary or lifestyle changes that can be made to help prevent it.
In most cases, once hair has turned grey or white, it cannot naturally return to its original color. This is because the melanocytes in the hair follicles stop producing melanin. While there are exceptions due to specific factors, regaining natural hair color without external intervention is rare.
Many things can cause our hair to gray, including genetics and stress. The graying of hair most of the time is unrelated to stress, but it can worsen the graying.
Premature graying may be reversed with vitamin B12 supplementation only if vitamin B12 deficiency is the cause. If you are graying due to other factors, such as genetics, zinc deficiency, and medications, your gray hair cannot be reversed.
No, most experts agree that pulling out gray hair is an impulse best avoided. Though plucking white hairs may seem like a quick and easy solution to your haircare woes, repeated plucking can damage the hair follicle and potentially cause the hair to thin.
Although the primary cause of premature hair graying (PHG) is considered to be genetic, certain environmental factors also play a role. Trace element deficiencies such as Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3, and calcium may also be associated with PHG.
The average age of onset of hair graying appears to be mid- to late forties; however, this varies with race, with the average age for Caucasians being mid-thirties, that for Asians being late thirties, and that for Africans being mid-forties.
It has been found that some hairs can become colored again when stress is reduced. One study with experiments on mice found that stress caused white hair even if the immune system was suppressed (ruling out auto-immune response) and if the glands producing cortisol were removed.
In some individuals, the change in color of pubic hair may occur around the age of fifty, but it can happen earlier or later, depending on individual genetic predispositions and lifestyle factors.
Disrupted sleep patterns can disturb melatonin production, affecting the balance of melanin in the hair follicles. Inflammatory Response: Poor sleep can trigger an inflammatory response in the body, potentially affecting the hair follicles and contributing to greying.
Environmental Factors: Environmental stressors can also cause premature graying. Exposure to chemicals, pollutants, and toxins can inhibit melanin production, affecting the hair's health and causing white hair. Furthermore, UV-induced damage is yet another cause of white hair at an early age.
Dr Mahajan explains that vitamin and mineral deficiencies, along with hormonal imbalances, can contribute to premature greying. "Low levels of iron, copper, and Vitamin B12 are particularly associated with early greying.
While moderate caffeine consumption is generally safe, excessive intake may negatively impact hair health. Potential Effects of Caffeine on Hair 1. Hormonal Imbalance: Caffeine can disrupt hormonal balances, particularly affecting the thyroid gland. Hormonal changes can contribute to hair graying, thinning, or loss.
Get Enough of These Vitamins and Minerals
"Ensure you have an adequate level of vitamin D3 and vitamin B12, since deficiencies in either of these may accelerate graying," explains Lain. Other important micronutrients for healthy hair include vitamin E, vitamin A, zinc, iron, copper, selenium and magnesium.
One 2018 review notes various deficiency studies on vitamin D3, vitamin B12, copper, zinc, and calcium and their connection to graying hair. It finds nutritional deficiencies affect pigmentation, suggesting color can return with vitamin supplementation.
Analyzing hairs from fourteen volunteers and correlating what they saw with their stress diaries showed that while some gray definitely followed stressful times, some hairs regained their pigment when stress abated. So yes, stress can absolutely cause gray hair.
Inadequate intake of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B12, iron, copper, and zinc, plays a significant role in the onset of premature greying. Further, a lack of RCBs and iron can lead to reduced melanin, thus causing early grey hair.
If you're looking at how to increase melanin in hair, you must include in your diet, melanin rich foods and foods that are rich in vitamins. o Vitamin A – stimulates the oil-producing glands in the hair follicle and keeps the hair moisturized. Found in carrots, kale, spinach and sweet potatoes.
The primary — and most scientifically-sound — reason for gray hair is in your genes. This is especially true if you go gray before 20 years old, which is referred to as premature graying. If your parents developed gray hair at a young age, chances are you will, too — and there's not much you can do about it.
A century or so ago, white hair had different significance for men and women. For men having white hair was a sign of distinction, hinted at nobility, and was even a sign of virility. It couldn't have been more different for women. It was a sign of their deterioration with age, and the end of their fertility.