know the causes of white hair and easy ways to prevent it naturally
wellhealthorganic.com/know-the-causes-of-white-hair-and-easy-ways-to-prevent-it-naturally :White hair is caused by a loss of pigmentation in the hair follicle. This loss of pigmentation is usually a natural part of the aging process, but it can also be caused by factors such as stress, poor nutrition, and certain medical conditions.
To prevent white hair naturally, there are several things you can do. First, ensure you are getting enough vitamins and minerals in your diet, especially vitamin B12, iron, and copper, which are essential for hair health. Second, manage your stress levels through activities like meditation and exercise. Third, avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, which can damage hair follicles. Finally, consider using natural remedies like henna and amla powder to promote healthy hair growth.
What Causes White Hair
Hair growth happens when old cells are pushed out by the hair follicles due to the production of new cells. It occurs in three stages – growth (anagen), cessation (catagen), and rest (telogen). During the rest period, your hair reaches its lifespan and falls out, and a new strand grows in its place. Hair color is produced by hair melanin, which is formed by melanocytes. Hair pigmentation, unlike in skin, is not continuous. The hair is actively pigmented in the anagen phase. Pigmentation reduces in the catagen phase and is absent in the telogen phase (1).
Casey Simmons, a curly hair expert, says, “Hair can change in color and shape as you age due to changes in skin cells and hormones.” She also adds, “Other health factors like thyroid issues, lack of iron, iodine, and vitamin B12 may also cause hair to gray.”
With age, the amount of pigment that is injected into each strand of hair gets reduced, which is why it turns gray and eventually white. In the section below, let’s discuss common white hair causes and how to prevent white hair.
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1. Genes
Dr. K. Harish Kumar, MD, DVL, says, “Genes are the predominant factor in determining at what age your hair loses pigment.” For some people, it can happen even before they turn 20. For others, the first strands of white appear rather late (1).
2. Deficiency Of Melanin
In most of the cases, a deficiency of melanin is the leading cause of hair whitening. The production of melanin depends on appropriate hair nutrition and protein supplements. The lack of these nutrients causes melanin to fall below acceptable levels (2).
3. Hormones
Research suggests that an imbalance in hormones can trigger or increase premature graying of hair (1), (3). If you have excess graying of hair and aren’t sure if you have a hormonal imbalance, please consult a doctor.
4. Medical Conditions
Certain underlying medical conditions can trigger a loss of pigment in your hair. PGH is also triggered by autoimmunei diseases like vitiligoi , pernicious anemia, thyroid diseases, and premature aging syndromes (4).
5. Vitamin And Mineral Deficiency
Deficiency in iron, vitamin D, folate, vitamin B12, and selenium may also cause the whitening of hair follicles. Deficiencies of Vitamin B12 and folic acid with lower levels of biotin were found in people having premature graying of hair (5).
6. Stress
Emotional stress also plays a role here. Studies have shown that the oxidative load caused by psychological stress can trigger premature graying of hair (1).
7. Chemicals
Sometimes, the use of chemical-based shampoos, soaps, hair dyes, etc. may directly cause this problem. However, it can result from some allergic infections as well.
8. Oxidative Stress
Oxidative stress can cause premature graying. It is caused due to an overproduction of oxidants in the body, which are also affected by extrinsic factors like ultraviolet (UV) rays, pollution, emotional factors, or inflammatory causes (2).
9. Smoking
Studies have shown that smoking is one of the major factors leading to premature graying of hair. Smoking causes reactive oxygen species damage to hair follicle melanocytes, which leads to premature graying (1).
10. Hydrogen Peroxide
The hair follicles produce small amounts of hydrogen peroxide, which gets accumulated overtime on the hair shafts. It bleaches the hair and causes it to turn gray, and eventually white (6). Removing this build-up may help your hair regain its natural color.
Can You Get Rid Of White Hair
Whether or not hair graying can be reversed to help white hair turn black largely depends on the cause of graying. If genetics are responsible, there is not much one can do to reverse the change.
If the cause is an underlying health problem, consulting a doctor to see what can be done is the best course of action. Once the problem is treated, it may help restore pigment to your hair. However, this cannot be guaranteed.
