British dermatologists carried out a series of experiments and found that by age 50, 50% of the world’s population has at least 50% gray hair. Also, the hair of fair-skinned people begins to turn gray after age 30, hair of Asians, around 40, and hair of dark-skinned people, after 40.
It is a natural process called depigmentation; however, gray hair can sometimes start to appear between your 20s and 30s. Why does this happen? We will tell you why your hair is starting to turn gray, what a problem it could be, and how to slow it down.
What Gives Color To Hair?
Hair growth and color depend on the structure and proper functioning of the hair follicles or, being the melanocyte cells that produce melanin. Melanin is made up of eumelanin and pheomelanin, and depending on the amount and proportion of these pigments, the entire spectrum of hair colors that we know is formed.
The activity of melanin decreases with age or under the influence of processes that take place within the body. It literally stops cooperating with hair proteins and this is how gray hair starts to appear at the root.
The process of turning completely gray can take up to 10 years; hair cannot instantly turn gray, even if there is severe stress in a person’s life. These tensions can only accelerate the process of deterioration of the hair structure.
Reasons That Can Cause The Appearance Of Gray Hair
- Genetic reasons If the hair of many members of your family turns gray at a young age, you are likely to suffer the same fate.
- Thyroid problems
- Deficiency of vitamins B and iron in the blood.
- taking certain medications
- Malnutrition, as well as habitual consumption of products with a high sugar content, flour, sodium glutamate, salt, dyes.
- Smoking that prevents the supply of oxygen to the cells.
Myths About Gray Hair
If you pull out one strand of gray hair, you will have 6 new strands of gray in its place. The amount of gray hair will not increase, but it may decrease because the hair will not grow back.
This is because the follicle gets damaged after constant plucking and after a while, it will end up stopping the hair growth process. If you want to get rid of gray hair so much, you can nip it at the root with the help of scissors.
Does the structure of gray hair change? Your hair can become thin. However, most of the complaints are related to increased dryness and stiffness of the hair. This is a consequence of the decreased activity of the sebaceous glands in the scalp.
Gray hair has a gray color. This is a myth. In fact, completely gray hair is transparent. As melanin activity decreases, it may even take on a yellowish tint. It looks gray just because of an optical illusion.
How To Fight Graying Hair And Prevent Its Appearance?
Change your diet to include vegetables, fruits, and foods rich in vitamin B12 (fish and other seafood, milk, cottage cheese, eggs, chicken), B9 (rice, beans, lentils), copper, and iron (cashews, liver, almonds Lots of protein and vitamins will not only help your hair but will also help your body stay in good shape.
Visit a doctor and have a medical exam, especially your thyroid. They can detect problems you haven’t even noticed.
Give your head a regular massage; This will increase the blood flow to the hair follicles and improve their nutrition.
Get a modern hairstyle. Short hair always looks good, is easier to care for, and maintains volume longer. Another win-win option is getting a messy haircut. It enhances almost all face types and can be styled in many different ways.
Get regular hair masks. They will nourish the roots of your hair and activate the exchange processes. Recipe: Mix 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and the juice of half a lemon. Leave the mixture for 10 minutes and apply to the hair with the help of a cotton swab, paying attention to the roots. Massage your head. Rinse after 10-15 minutes. You can also try other recipes like this or this one.
Do you know other remedies that help fight gray hair? Tell us about them in the comments!