Premature Graying: Causes And Home Remedies To Prevent It

What Is Premature Graying Of Hair?

Premature graying of hair (PGH) is when your hair turns gray before 20 years in Caucasians and 30 years in African Americans. While genetics is the main reason behind it, premature graying can be triggered by multiple other factors (1). Let’s take a look.

Is Premature Graying A Medical Issue? What Are The Causes?

Premature graying is not a medical issue. However, it is associated with multiple underlying conditions and syndromes. The factors that cause premature graying are:

1. Thyroid Disorders

The thyroid hormones T3 and T4 are responsible for melanin production (melanogenesis) in the hair follicles. A low level of these hormones may cause premature graying (1).

2. Autoimmune Disorders

Premature graying is linked to autoimmune disorders, such as vitiligo and pernicious anemia, and premature aging syndromes like Werner’s syndrome (2).

3. Psychological And Oxidative Stress

Research shows that psychological stress triggered by emotional factors can increase the oxidative load or oxidative stress. This also plays a role in premature graying. Other factors like pollution and UV exposure also cause oxidative stress, leading to premature graying (1).

4. Diet And Nutritional Deficiencies

A study involving 35 schoolchildren found that the levels of nutrients like calcium, ferritin, and vitamin D3 were low in those with prematurely gray hair (2). Low serum iron, copper, and zinc concentrations also play a role in premature graying (3). However, further research is needed to conclude this.

An imbalanced diet causes the body to create free radicals, making your hair turn gray.

5. Smoking

Smoking is harmful for your overall health and is also linked to premature graying. A study found a possible connection between premature graying before the age of 30. It concluded that smokers could have an earlier onset of graying than non-smokers (4).

6. Hair Products

Hair products, such as chemical bleaches and colors, often contain chemicals like hydrogen peroxide. A study demonstrated that hydrogen peroxide could accumulate in the hair follicles, affect the hair pigments, and cause graying (5).

7. Vitamin B-12 Deficiency

Studies indicate a correlation between nutrient deficiencies, such as a lack of Vitamin B12, and premature graying (6). This vitamin is essential for melanin production, hence its insufficient levels may result in premature graying by impeding pigment synthesis, impacting the natural color of hair. Vegetarians and vegans are more susceptible to B-12 deficiencies due to lacking animal product intake, exacerbating the risk of premature graying.

8. Environmental Factors

Exposure to pollutants, harsh chemicals, and UV radiation can contribute to premature graying of hair. These external elements may lead to damage to hair follicles, affecting melanin production and accelerating the natural aging process of hair, resulting in the early onset of gray or white strands (7).

Consult a doctor to determine the exact reason for your premature gray hair. Early diagnosis is crucial for treatment. Meanwhile,  if you want, you may follow the tips below to hide the gray strands.

How To Conceal Premature Gray Hair

• Use Tinting Sprays: Choose a color closer to the natural hair color for even coverage.
• Curl Your Hair: Curly or wavy hair makes the gray roots and strands less noticeable. You may even style your hair in French braids to hide them.
• Use Hair Accessories: Hair bands, headbands, bandanas, and scarves can effectively hide the grays.

You may also try home remedies to prevent premature graying. Check out the recipes in the next section.

Home Remedies To Prevent Premature Graying

1. Indian Gooseberry And Fenugreek

Indian gooseberry (amla) is widely used in traditional recipes to enrich hair pigmentation and health. Fenugreek leaves paste helps preserve the natural hair color (8) (9).

You Will Need 

• 3-5 Indian gooseberries (chopped)
• ½ cup of coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon of fenugreek paste

Method

1. Boil the Indian gooseberry pieces with coconut oil for a few minutes on low heat.
2. Once the oil cools down, mix the fenugreek paste.
3. Pass the mixture through a sieve and store in a glass jar.
4. Massage your scalp and hair with the oil solution.
5. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes or more.
6. Wash off with a mild shampoo.
7. Follow the routine 2-3 times a week.

2. Henna And Coffee Dye

Henna is traditionally used for conditioning and tinting the hair. Often, coffee powder is added to henna to darken the tint. This can be a natural alternative to chemical hair dyes.

You Will Need

• 1 packet of henna powder
• 1 tablespoon of instant coffee
• 1 tablespoon of almond oil

Method

1. Mix coffee and water.
2. Add the henna powder to the coffee and combine to form a paste.
3. Cover the cup and let it rest for 2-3 hours.
4. Once done, mix the almond oil with it.
5. Apply the paste from root to tip.
6. Cover your head with a shower cap and leave it on for an hour.
7. Rinse off with a mild shampoo.

Lauren, a blogger, wrote about her ordeal with premature grey hair. She has an allergy to hair dye and admits to having tried resorting to henna to give color to the hair. She wrote, ”I had to stop using conventional dye, and switched to henna. Henna is awesome, it’s all natural, made from the flowering plant Lawsonia and also indigo (i).”

Pro Tip

It is said that Cleopatra and the Egyptian army used to apply henna on their nails and greying hair.

3. Ridge Gourd Oil

Ridge gourd oil is often used to prevent premature graying. However, there are no clinical studies to prove the efficacy of the oil on gray hair.

You Will Need 

• 1 cup of sundried ridge-gourd
• 1 cup of coconut oil

Method

1. Soak the ridge gourd pieces in coconut oil for 3-4 days.
2. Boil the pieces and the oil for 10 minutes.
3. Strain the oil solution and store it in a glass jar.
4. Massage your scalp and hair with the oil for 5-10 minutes.
5. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes.
6. Rinse it off with a mild shampoo.
7. Follow the routine 2-3 times a week.

While treating the underlying condition (if any) causing premature graying is crucial, it is also important that you follow a balanced lifestyle, as a lot of lifestyle factors may also contribute to premature graying. Here are a few tips to stay healthy and manage premature graying.

Ways To Manage Premature Graying

1. Consume A Balanced Diet

Nutritional deficiency is one of the factors responsible for premature graying. Get yourself tested for any deficiencies and eat your way to health. Follow a diet consisting of whole grains, vegetables, seafood, poultry, dairy, and fruits. Consult a doctor and take supplements to cover vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Avoid processed foods. This will keep your health in check and help prevent premature graying.

2. Prioritize Your Mental Health

Stress turns your locks gray. Hence, take some time out and indulge in any activity that calms your mind. Listen to music, burn your stress (and calories) with exercise, travel, read books, try yoga and meditation, get a pet, or take up new hobbies. You may take professional help and reach out to counselors and therapists.

Did You Know?

You can start a journal and jot down your positive and negative moments of the day.

3. Focus On Overall Well-Being

Quit smoking. It is good for your lungs, hair, and overall well-being. Take care of your hair indulge in spa treatments, use hair nourishing masks and oils, and follow a hair care routine. This helps keep your hair healthy and prevent premature graying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you reverse premature graying of hair?

While premature graying caused due to genetic factors may not be reversed, taking precautions and having a balanced diet may help reverse graying caused by nutritional deficiencies or other underlying medical conditions.

Can anxiety cause gray hair?

Yes, anxiety, stress, and emotional imbalance may lead to hair graying.

Does plucking gray hair increase it?

Plucking gray hair will only result in gray hair regrowth in the same hair follicle. It wouldn’t affect other hair follicles or hair strands.

Check out this video to learn how to manage premature graying. Get expert insights and tips like what can be used topically, and what lifestyle changes can be made to help you keep your hair vibrant and healthy.

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Dr. Sreekar HarinathaMBBS, MS, MCh, DNB

   

Dr. Sreekar Harinatha is a double board-certified and award-winning plastic and cosmetic surgeon with 18 years of experience. He specializes in various cosmetic surgeries and treatments, including liposuction, gynecomastia surgery, hair transplantation, mommy makeovers, Brazilian butt lifts, rhinoplasty, lasers, and other skin treatments. He is also the author of the bestselling book titled, 'The Male Breast: What You Should Know...more

Ramona SinhaEditor

 

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal. She also did a certificate course in dermatology offered by the Novosibirsk State University...more

Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy. She has taken it upon herself to show...more

Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach. Her passion for and understanding of all things related to skin, hair, and beauty propelled her to pursue a career in writing....more