Did you know that according to a 2018 study published in the International Journal of Trichology, up to 32% of people start going grey before the age of 30? That's right – premature greying is more common than you might think, and it's affecting younger generations at an increasing rate.
But why is this happening? Is it stress, genetics, or something else entirely? And more importantly, what can you do about it? In this blog, we'll cover all that (and more)
What is Premature Greying?
Also called canities or achromotrichia, the greying of hair is a natural process that indicates ageing. However, if it occurs between the ages of 20-30, it means your hair is greying prematurely.
There are several reasons for this to happen, spanning genetics - completely out of your control, lifestyle - which is in your power to change, and our environment. More on that later!
The Science of Hair Greying
Source: National Library of Medicine
Hair colour is determined by a pigment called melanin. This pigment is made by cells called melanocytes, which are in the deepest layer of the skin. As we get old, these cells start to produce less melanin, which is why your hair turns grey. Sometimes stress, unhealthy habits (and other reasons mentioned later on in this article) can make this happen even faster, leading to premature greying of hair.
Premature greying is defined differently for different races. For Caucasian people, the greying of hair before the age of 20 is premature; for Asian people, it is below the age of 25; and for African people, it is below the age of 30.
Premature greying of hair can, most importantly, indicate the ageing process that takes place inside your body. It is also indicative of any underlying diseases. Hence, finding the root cause of premature greying is crucial in terms of making the necessary changes in lifestyle and environment to enhance general health & well-being and to prevent or treat diseases before they reach a critical stage.
What Causes Premature Greying
Genetics and Heredity
Image Source: BMC Genomics
Genes are an important cause of premature greying. If your parents or grandparents had the condition, it's more likely that you have it, too. It is also, to a large extent, dependent on your race, ethnicity (like mentioned above), and geography.
The presence of a gene associated with hair greying, IRF4, is a marker for premature greying. The gene is responsible for the production and storage of melanin, which determines your hair colour.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Nutrition is necessary for a healthy functioning body, and your hair is no different. Proper nutrition is non-negotiable to make sure that melanin is produced sufficiently.
A deficiency of protein, copper, iron, calcium, zinc, and vitamins D & B12 has strong links to premature greying. Hence, a wholesome, balanced diet is key.
Lifestyle Factors
When our immune system is in defence mode, it will trigger oxidative stress. Ideally, it should come back to control after the immune system does its job, but in some cases, it may be uncontrolled, which will boost the ageing process, resulting in premature grey hair.
Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance in antioxidants. The imbalance could occur due to a variety of reasons, such as pollution, UV rays, and diet. In some cases, though very indirectly, overwhelming emotional stress could also cause greying - there is no concrete evidence to support this, but it was a common observation in many individuals who had premature greying.
Further, obesity can also lead to greying as a lot of individuals with high blood pressure, fasting blood sugar and low HDL cholesterol were found to be affected. A sedentary lifestyle with a lack of sleep is also a major reason for greying - an active life with good sleep will keep up blood circulation to make sure all nutrients are absorbed by the hair follicles.
Medical Conditions
According to this 2008 study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, hormonal changes can lead to premature greying, and manifest as problems with either your thyroid or pituitary gland. Further, inherited diseases like neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis and other diseases like vitiligo, and alopecia areata may lead to premature greying.
Smoking and Alcohol Consumption
This 2018 study clearly states that chemicals in Tobacco attack and damage hair follicles, leading to stunted melanin production which causes greying. Further, overt consumption of alcohol exhausts vital nutrients in the body and intervenes in the general nutrient absorption functions of the body, leading to a decline in overall health.
What are the Impacts of Premature Greying
Physical Impact
Hair plays a crucial role in shaping our physical appearance and is a determinant of one’s character and personality. Greying can cause a sudden and drastic change in appearance. For many, this can get tricky and will take some adjusting to come to terms with.
It can also mean more costs associated with styling and maintenance, as grey hair often differs in texture from normal hair.
Emotional Impact
Since greying is generally a sign of ageing, affected individuals find it hard to snap out of the stereotype and are subject to a mental cage of inferiority complex and self-doubt. Unfortunately for some, friends and family do not help either.
Social stigma, jokes of bad taste, and discrimination have further negative psychological impacts on people experiencing premature greying. This can adversely affect their general functioning, social interactions and insecurity.
Common Myths and Misconceptions
- Plucking grey hairs causes more to grow
- Sun exposure causes grey hair
- Stress causes overnight greying
- Hair styling products can cause greying.
- Only old people’s hair turns grey
How to Determine if You're Greying Prematurely
How can you figure out if your hair is greying prematurely or if it is just a natural part of getting older? While there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to this, here are some things to think about.
- Your age: If you're less than 30 years old and have already started seeing a lot of grey hair popping up, it might likely be premature greying.
- Family history: Ask around and find out when your parents and grandparents started going grey. This can serve as a reference for you. If you're greying way earlier than them, it could be considered premature.
- Amount of hair: While a few grey strands of hair are completely normal and shouldn’t cause concern, if you start to notice a significant increase in the greys, especially in certain areas of your head, it could be premature greying.
- Overall well-being: Making a note of your general health and keeping a tab on your stress levels or diet can be key as these factors might play a role in greying.
- Seek professional advice. If you're uncertain, it’s always best to consult a dermatologist or trichologist. They can assess your scalp and hair to determine if premature greying is occurring and identify its causes.
Can Premature Greying Be Reversed?
There isn't a single answer to this question; Whether or not it can be reversed depends on the cause of premature greying for an individual. If your hair is turning grey before 30 only because of genetics, reversing may not be possible; chances are it might be more of a permanent condition. Genetics cause the pigment cells melanocytes to die, and hair follicles cannot create those cells on their own.
If greying happens due to an underlying disease or medical condition, treating its root cause may reverse greying. Cases such as Vitiligo are an exception, as the immune system attacks the hair follicles and, similar to genetic causes, the pigment cells die resulting in permanent greying.
If stress, behavioural or psychological factors are the cause, engaging in calming, therapeutic activities may help reverse greying. More about this later in the article.
Insufficient nutrition is one of the common causes of premature greying, so a healthy, wholesome diet involving all the essential nutrients will definitely help reverse greying (if nutrition is the only cause).
Natural Remedies and Prevention
Diet and Nutrition
A change in diet is most crucial to prevent, stop or reverse hair greying. Foods rich in antioxidants, protein, copper, iron, calcium, zinc, Vitamins D & B12 are very helpful. Below is a list of foods you could include in your diet to ensure proper blood circulation to the hair follicles.
Fruits and vegetables like blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, red grapes, beetroot, carrots and kale, olive oil, organic green tea, and fish are rich in antioxidants.
Lean meats like pork, lamb and beef; poultry like turkey and chicken; seafood like fish and prawn; dairy products like yoghurt and cheese; nuts like almond, hazelnut, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds; eggs, tofu and all legumes & beans are really good sources of protein.
From pistachios to figs and chicken, fish and leafy greens, these are all wonderful sources of copper. Spinach, kale, beans, peach, eggs, and red meat, especially beef liver, are rich in iron and may contribute greatly to reversing grey hair.
For Calcium and Zinc, too, many of the above-mentioned foods in addition to salmon, parsley, cabbage and walnuts are excellent choices. Further, oily fish like mackerel, other fish / sourced shellfish, tuna, cod liver oil, and egg yolk, mushroom, yeast, and banana are rich in Vitamins D & B12.
Stress Management Techniques
Since stress incidentally triggers greying, engaging in stress management techniques like journaling will be very beneficial. They will help you regulate your emotions, increase your emotional awareness and hence make sure you are in control of how and what you feel.
A healthy diet, regular physical activity, positive self-talk and relaxing practices like aromatherapy will contribute greatly to balancing your mind, leading to stress reduction.
Herbal Remedies and Essential Oils
Apart from diet and exercise, you can also try natural homemade remedies. Along with coconut/ argan or olive oil, you can add one or more of the following:
- Amla: Rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants
- Curry leaves: Rich in vitamins B, C, D, and antioxidants; promotes melanin production; (it can also be mixed with yoghurt instead of oil)
- Hibiscus flowers: Rich in vitamins A, C and iron; doubles as a natural dye
- Aloe vera Gel: contains vitamins A, C & E; it hydrates the scalp, locks in the moisture and stimulates hair follicles
- Bhringraj: Contains proteins, vitamins and antioxidants that help boost melanin production
- Black sesame oil: rich in biotin (vitamins A and B), vitamin E, iron and antioxidants
Black sesame seeds/ powder can also be eaten to slow down or in some cases, even reverse premature greying. The quantity should be ¼–½ teaspoons if consumed daily in the form of powder or 1-2 tablespoons of seeds if consumed 2-3 times a week.
Ashwagandha increases blood circulation and contains antioxidants that aid in melanin production, thus preventing premature greying. Creating a paste of Ashwagandha root powder and Brahmi powder and applying it as a hair mask is an excellent step to add to your hair care routine.
Apart from being a natural dye for grey hair, henna also contains tannins and antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that can help prevent premature greying. It can be applied to the hair as a paste mixed with water and should be kept for 1-2 hours for best results.
Other Hair Care Solutions
While traditional methods like hair dyes have been the go-to for covering grey hair, they often come with drawbacks like harsh chemicals and potential scalp irritation. Fortunately, newer advancements in hair care science have introduced promising natural-based ingredients that target premature greying at a more cellular level:
- Arcolys: This patented complex, derived from yeast extract, is designed to stimulate melanin production in hair follicles. It works by activating specific genes involved in melanin synthesis and offers a more targeted approach to combating grey hair.
- Melanogray: This proprietary blend combines plant extracts with biotechnology-derived compounds. It's formulated to support the natural pigmentation process of hair by protecting and revitalising melanocytes (the cells responsible for producing melanin).
Real Results with Masofta Hair Darkening Serum
One promising option is the use of specialised hair serums designed to address greying at its root. For example, the Masofta Hair Darkening Serum combines scientifically backed ingredients like Arcolys and Melanogray with natural extracts. This unique formulation aims to gradually darken hair while also nourishing the scalp and strengthening hair follicles.
What sets this type of product apart is its holistic approach. Instead of just masking the grey, it works to improve overall hair health. Ingredients like Bhringraj and biotin can help strengthen hair and improve its texture, addressing the brittleness often associated with grey hair. This means you're not just covering up the problem but potentially improving your hair's condition in the long run. So, if you're looking for a middle ground between flaunting your greys or using dyes, this kind of solution might be worth exploring.
Medical Interventions
When to Consult a Doctor
If premature greying persists and doesn’t improve or starts increasing rapidly, you have to consult a dermatologist. Based on the reason for your condition, the dermatologist may either provide you with solutions or refer you to a doctor if there’s an underlying disease that’s causing your hair to grey.
Treatment Options
Based on your reason, your doctor may either prescribe supplements that will boost hair health or treat the underlying cause in case of a disease that’s causing premature greying. If a disease is not the cause of it, apart from introducing changes in diet and lifestyle, you could also opt for hair dyeing options.
This can be done in salons or by using DIY dye kits. However, if you want to be completely chemical-free and want to use only natural products, henna is the best choice. Hibiscus and sesame seeds can also be helpful.
Final Note
Premature greying can be a challenging experience, but remember – it's a natural part of life for many people. Whether you opt to keep your silver strands intact, conceal them, or explore treatments to slow down the process, what truly matters is you feel confident and comfortable with it.
Here at Masofta, we recognise the difficulties associated with greying – the surprise, the worry, and sometimes even the frustration. We've listened to countless stories from people just like you, seeking solutions that align with their needs and lifestyles. That's why we're hell-bent on providing hair care products that are innovative, gentle alternatives to harsh chemical treatments.
So here's to you and your beautiful, unique hair – whatever colour it may be. Remember, grey, silver, or any shade in between, you have the power to rock your look with confidence. And if you ever need a little help along the way, we’re here for you.