To begin with, let’s understand what grey hair is.
Our hair follicles’ pigment cells gradually deteriorate as we age. A hair strand will no longer contain as much melanin when there are fewer pigment cells in the hair follicle, and as it develops, it will take on a more translucent hue like gray, silver, or white.
As we age, it’s common for our hair to alter. Perhaps we had a full head of brown, black, red, or blonde hair when we were younger. As we become older, our hair may thin out or turn gray or white instead of remaining its original color in specific places on our heads. That is due to the pigment cells that start to gradually die which causes the hair strand to no longer contain melanin.
The uncommon thing is to have white or grey hair in our 20s, and that could be due to many reasons, among which we mention:
1. GENETICS
Your genetics strongly determine whether or not you grow white hair. If you begin to see graying or white hair at a young age, it’s likely that your parents or your grandparents did as well.
Genetics can’t be changed, yet if you think that your grey hair doesn’t appear nicely, you can simply dye it.
2. STRESS
Everyone deals with stress from time to time, but we should know that chronic stress can be a cause of early grey hair.
Studies found a strong connection between stress and the depletion of stem cells in hair follicles. That also explains why some leaders appear to age or gray faster.
3. VITAMINS DEFICIENCY
Some vitamin deficiency can be a cause of grey hair at an early age. Such as Vitamin B-12. This vitamin plays an important role in your body. It gives you energy, plus it contributes to healthy hair growth and hair color.
A vitamin B-12 deficiency is associated with a condition called pernicious anemia, which is when your body can’t absorb enough of this vitamin. Your body needs vitamin B-12 for healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen to cells in your body, including hair cells. A deficiency can weaken hair cells and affect melanin production.
4. SMOKING
Smoking and early thinning of the hair are related. It is well knowledge that smoking cigarettes raise the risk of heart disease and lung cancer. However, the long-term effects can harm the hair in addition to the heart and lungs. Smoking narrows the blood vessels, reducing the blood supply to the hair follicles and resulting in hair loss. Additionally, smoking’s chemicals can harm your body’s tissues, including your hair follicles, which results in early aging of the hair.
Now the question is, Can we prevent early hair greying?
The answer is yes. Knowing the direct cause of your grey hair is the key to either being able to prevent it or not.
First of all, If you suspect a health problem, consult a doctor to see if an underlying condition is responsible for white hair.
On the other hand, a healthy lifestyle is a great solution for early grey hair. Here are some tips to consider:
- Get enough vitamins:
The best vitamins that keep your hair healthy are: B vitamins, especially B-12 and biotin, Vitamin D,E, and A
- Get enough minerals
Some of the most important minerals that can help in repairing your hair as well as growing healthy strands are zinc, iron, magnesium, selenium, and copper.