Who doesn’t remember the panic they felt on spotting their first grey hair ever? Irrespective of what age you find it at, spotting your first grey is always traumatising, and since then, one question that becomes a constant part of your life is – “how to prevent white hair from spreading?”. Well, lucky for you, we think we may have the answer to this one, which we are going to discuss in this article.
While it is impossible to reverse greying of hair, you can definitely control and delay the greying process with the help of a good hair care routine coupled with a few lifestyle changes and the help of your dermatologist. But if you don’t know what to do or where to start, don’t panic, we are here to help! In this article, we are going to list down everything you need to know about greying. From what causes greying, to treatments and preventions, this article has it all. Read on…
Causes of grey hair
While one cannot be certain about the exact causes of hair going grey, research claims that the ones mentioned below stand a very clear chance –
If your body is vitamin deficient, then that is considered to be a major cause behind premature greying. Vitamins such as B6, B-12, D, E and biotin are extremely crucial for the overall health of your hair, including in keeping those annoying greys in check. This is because these vitamins are essential nutrients for your hair, thereby affecting the pigmentation of the strands. The best solution is to eat wholesome meals as well as consult a doctor on the right supplements for you.
Your genes have been found to be another cause of hair greying. If your parents, grandparents or any other close relative has premature greying, then there is a chance that you could have it too. But visiting a dermatologist early on would help you tackle this problem more easily.
All of us know how exposure to the sun, pollution, dust and other free radicals present in the environment can damage our skin, but did you know that these same pollutants are also damaging your hair at the same time, making them grey faster than they normally would? This mainly happens because the antioxidants present in your body are not enough to fight the oxidative damage, which then leads to greying.
If you are suffering from any autoimmune disorders such as alopecia areata, then premature greying is a common symptom. Other common autoimmune disorders that accelerate greying are vitiligo, thyroid, etc. In these conditions, the person’s immune system attacks their own cells, which can eventually lead to a loss of pigment, leading to early greying.
Another factor is quite commonly known to hasten the process of greying is stress. Tremendous and sudden physical or mental stress can cause a depletion in the number of stem cells in each follicle. This, in turn, leads to pigment or melanin loss causing premature greying. It is best to indulge in some form of stress-reducing activities to relieve common symptoms of stress such as high blood pressure, anxiety, insomnia and skin disorders.
Indulging in regular chemical treatments such as hair colouring, bleaching, smoothening, perming and rebonding, etc., can all end up severely and permanently damaging your strands. Hydrogen peroxide, which is usually present in a lot of chemical hair dyes can permanently alter the natural pigment of your hair by damaging natural melanin production. This causes a change in the colour of the hair. This leads to a decrease in the amount of melanin present in each follicle, which leads to a rapid increase in greying.
Lastly, smoking is yet another very common cause of premature greying, and if you want to find out how to prevent grey hair from spreading, then you must seriously consider giving up smoking. The main reason behind this is that apart from the risk of serious lung and heart problems, smoking also ends up constricting your blood vessels, thereby preventing them from carrying enough oxygen and to your scalp, which causes greying.
How to prevent further greying
If you are wondering how to prevent white hair from spreading any further, then we’ve got you covered. Simply incorporate the hair care tips and lifestyle changes mentioned below to help keep this problem under control.
When it comes to premature greying, your diet and the kind of food you eat plays a major role. To begin with, start with eating a clean, wholesome and nutrient-rich diet. Ensure that each meal contains a good amount of protein, fibre, carbohydrates and fats to deliver your hair with everything it needs. Secondly, consume a handful of seeds and nuts every single day. Lastly, include antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables such as green tea, olive oil, fish, oranges, etc. Following these simple tips will surely go a long way in slowing down the process of greying.
We don’t need to tell you about the harmful effects smoking has on your body, but it also majorly affects your skin and hair. Therefore, a simple way to prevent white hair from spreading is to stub that cigarette right away. You should be able to notice a huge difference in your overall hair health once you take this step.
Hair damage, caused mainly due to the pollutants present in the environment, but also because of chemical and heat exposure, is a major cause of premature greying. A simple way to protect your hair against pollution and sun damage is to cover your head with a wide-brim hat or a thick scarf every time you step out; you could even invest in a hair sunscreen. Secondly, avoid using heat on your hair every single day; for this you could try some no-heat hairstyles or even allow your hair to air dry more frequently.
As seen earlier, stress is a major cause of greying and therefore keeping your stress levels under check is a great way to promote healthier hair as well as prevent greying. We recommend you to indulge in some form of physical activity every single day. Apart from this, you could carve out some time to do things you enjoy such as painting, reading, dancing or something else. Lastly, making time for some simple breathing exercises helps in keeping you grounded to the present and therefore, is a great way to manage your stress levels more effectively.
FAQs about prevent white hair
Q. Can white hair turn black again?
A. No, it is not really possible to change the colour of your hair once it becomes grey or white. Greying happens because of a loss of melanin content in the strands and follicles, which is impossible to bring back to its original state.
Q. Can be plucking white hair lead to more?
A. This is an old wives’ tale and one of the most common hair myths that you really should stop believing. Although plucking white hair doesn’t lead to more coming up, it is still not a great idea to pluck your hair out in the first place. This is because the act of plucking can cause inflammation in the area and can even end up permanently damaging the follicle. This can prevent any sort of hair growth from that follicle in the future, and is, therefore, best avoided.
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Written by Urvi Dalal on 15th Apr 2021
Writer, avid reader and hardcore beauty enthusiast is the best way to describe Urvi Dalal. With over 5 years of writing experience in the beauty industry, you can trust her to have the latest skin, hair and makeup tidbits on her fingertips. In her time working as a beauty writer, she has had the opportunity to interact and work closely with a string of dermatologists, makeup artists and hairstylists. All that knowledge exchange, coupled with her flair and love for writing make it possible for her to bring you some authentic yet fun beauty content. When Urvi isn’t working, you’d usually catch her curled up with a big, fat book, drinking a cup of tea or practising her makeup skills; there is no in-between!