White Hair: The Reasons and Prevention

White hair is the most commonly found hair problem that people of all ages experience. Whether you are exposed to extreme sun rays or not, premature graying is not a rare occurrence anymore.

It has been observed that the human body carries millions of hair follicles, which are responsible for generating hair color or pigment cells. These pigment cells comprise melanin, which is a natural pigment responsible for hair color. The loss of these pigment cells over time causes premature hair greying.

Despite the aforementioned reason, there are several factors responsible for hair whitening. In this blog, we are going to explore the key factors influencing premature hair whitening/graying. Further, we will also break down multiple prevention methods to keep your hair color intact.  

Significant Reasons for Premature White Hair

Besides age, there are several factors responsible for premature graying. Having a clear idea regarding this specific issue can help you prevent this problem. So, let’s discuss some of the most crucial yet overlooked factors causing hair graying:

1. Genetics

Apart from age, if there is one of the most commonly conceived causes of premature white hair, it is genetics. It plays a huge role in contributing to hair whitening, resulting in individuals experiencing white hair in their 20s. Additionally, race and ethnicity make a huge contribution to premature graying. For example, white people may experience gray hair at the age of 20 years. On the other hand, people from Asian regions may experience white hair at the age of 30 years.

2. Pre-existing Medical Conditions

Several pre-existing medical conditions can negatively affect the hair color. It has been observed that autoimmune diseases may enhance the risk of premature graying of the hair. According to research conducted by JCEM in 2008, thyroid dysfunction was believed to be directly linked with hair graying. Additionally, white hair is also commonly found in individuals suffering from an autoimmune skin condition called alopecia areata. This specific skin condition is responsible for multiple health problems, including significant hair loss from various parts of the body.  

3.  Stress

Stress is one of the most common reasons for premature graying. Stress caused by any injury can lead to hair whitening. According to research conducted in PubMed Central, stress releases noradrenaline from sympathetic nerves, further affecting the stem cells. As a result, the natural color of the hair is heavily impacted.

4. Oxidative Stress

Although there are several factors influencing the color of our hair, oxidative stress plays a huge role in premature ageing. When the antioxidants cannot prevent the free radicals (small molecules responsible for damaging cells, aging, and multiple health conditions), the human body creates an imbalance. This imbalance is popularly known as oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress is believed to be the primary reason for several diseases, such as vitiligo. This skin condition, which affects melanin negatively, has a significant role in regulating the color of our hair. As a result, you might experience white hair at a young age.

5. Deficiency of Vitamin B12

Vitamins are one of the most essential nutrients in the human body. Apart from providing the required energy, this particular nutrient positively contributes to hair growth and regulates the color of the same. However, its deficiency can cause premature graying at a young age.

Individuals experiencing pernicious anemia may experience Vitamin B12 deficiency, as this condition prevents the body from absorbing Vitamin B12. Consequently, the red blood cells of our body get affected, further resulting in weak hair cells. It negatively impacts the overall melanin production, making the grey hair even more visible than it previously was.

Effective Ways to Prevent White Hair

As discussed above, white hair or premature hair graying is one of the most common hair problems. While there are several factors influencing this issue, we cannot overlook the possible solutions to prevent the same. So, in this section, we are about to discuss how to stop white hair by providing some solutions. Let’s see what those are:

1. Follow a Proper Treatment for Your Hair

Most people might follow the notion of regular hair washing. But it is advisable to avoid washing your hair regularly as it can lead to severe hair damage. Moreover, it is also advised that you select the haircare products catering to your hair problems. Bleaching or the application of harsh chemical-based shampoos can lead to hair damage, further leading to premature hair graying.

2. Apply Curry Leaves

Currey leaves are believed to be one of the most useful home remedies to prevent hair whitening. As a common ingredient found in every Indian household, the application of curry leaves on the hair has gained popularity. All you need to do is mix the curry leaves with oil and apply the mixture to the scalp. It will help to prevent premature graying of your hair.

3. Incorporate Vitamin B6, D, E, and Biotin into Your Diet

Our food habit has a significant contribution towards regulating our overall health condition. Consequently, incorporating enough amount of Vitamins and Biotin into our regular foods has become important. However, a noticeable deficiency of these nutrients can cause various health and hair problems, including white hair. So, it is advisable to eat the required amount of Vitamin B6, D, E, and Biotin supplements and use products containing the same to retain the color of your hair.

White or grey hair is a common problem experienced by every person. From a hectic schedule to following an improper diet, several factors are responsible for this hair problem. It is advisable to follow the possible reasons causing premature graying of your hair to have a clear understanding of the issue. You can also consider following the possible prevention methods mentioned in this blog to have a clear idea about how to prevent it.