Why does hair turn gray at a young age and can it be stopped? Scientists have explained where gray hair comes from and how to deal with it Graying of hair at a young age
Gray hair is surrounded by an aura of mystery. At the same time, this is the most obvious sign of approaching old age. Everyone knows the myths about gray hair, which we will try to confirm or refute in this article. Read on!
Basic myths about gray hair
There is a common theory that a person who pulls out one gray hair from his head will grow seven new ones. What is it based on and how true is it? Why does hair start to turn gray in the first place? Why do some people go gray much earlier than others? We have answers to all these questions!
Hair starts to turn gray as we get older.
This statement is 50% true. It has been proven that gray hair in most cases appears at a certain age, as it is associated with the aging process of the skin. Hair turns gray due to a lack of melanin, the hormone that gives it color. Every person has this hormone produced in varying quantities and at its own rhythm, which is why some people begin to disguise their gray hair as early as 25 years old, while others maintain their natural hair color even after 50.
If you pull out one gray hair, seven new ones will grow in its place.
This statement is 100% false. There is no scientific evidence to support this common myth. It is impossible to estimate what would have happened if we had not pulled out this hair, as well as to understand whether new gray hairs appear because of this, or if it is just a natural process caused by nature. which cannot be stopped or reversed.
Gray hair grows faster
This is not entirely true. There are studies that show gray hair grows at a faster rate than pigmented hair, however, other studies report little change or even slower growth compared to other periods of life.
Stress causes gray hair
Lie. It is difficult to find a direct relationship between stress and the appearance of gray hair. If you are nervous today, you are unlikely to have gray hair tomorrow. Of course, nowadays the level of stress has increased significantly, however, today we see no more gray-haired people on the street than 50 years ago. However, it has been proven that there is a genetic relationship: if your parents went gray early, then you, most likely, will also develop white locks early.
Gray hair is stronger
50 to 50. It is unknown whether the diameter of a gray hair is actually greater than the diameter of a pigmented hair, but it is safe to say that gray hair may appear thicker due to light refraction. Indeed, with the appearance of gray hair, some people's hair actually turns gray.
Gray hair is gray in color
Lie. The fact is that the combination of gray and normal hair creates an optical illusion, thanks to which all hair appears gray to us. Gray hair is actually yellow, not white or gray.
Vitamin B deficiency accelerates the graying process
Is it true. If you are under 35 and already have a lot of gray hair, a vitamin B deficiency, especially vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid, may be the cause. This problem can be solved by starting to take a vitamin complex. It is also worth introducing foods high in these vitamins into your diet.
Smoking causes gray hair
50/50. Everything here is the same as in theory with stress. . Smoking is definitely harmful and it only brings problems. There are scientific studies that show that people who smoke a lot are at risk of developing gray hair at an earlier age, although this process also associated with genetic background.
Gray hair can only be dyed with permanent dye.
Lie. There are many ways to restore color to gray hair, so don't believe the common myth that permanent dyeing is the only effective way. There are many natural dyes and herbal infusions, known to everyone, which are considered less harmful to our hair.
Gray hair can be restored to its natural color
Lie. There is not a single study that proves that a person can return their natural hair color without resorting to coloring or special products. Unfortunately, once gray hair appears, it is forever, because this process cannot be reversed.
Gray hair can be caused by injury
Lie. Surely your grandmother told you about something similar. Just as with stress, it is almost impossible for a person to go gray overnight and wake up completely gray the morning after the injury. However, there is a connection between and the process of graying. but it manifests itself in the long term.
The sun causes hair to turn gray
Lie. Sunlight can lighten your hair a little, making it a little redder, but There is no scientific evidence that ultraviolet rays can accelerate the appearance of gray hair.
Our genes are to blame for gray hair
Absolute truth. Genetically predetermined At what age does a person begin to go grey? What is in our DNA cannot be changed. You will most likely start sitting around the same age as your parents.
Sooner or later, everyone will have gray hair. This phenomenon is not the most pleasant and therefore many people are concerned with the question of how to prevent premature graying of hair and what to do if the first gray hairs have already appeared.
Age of graying
The main factor determining the age of gray hair in each individual is heredity. If your parents turned gray by the age of 30, then most likely you will have to repeat their fate. Unless, of course, you had a grandmother in your family, who at the age of 80 was still a burning brunette, and you took after her.
Scientific research has revealed that there are some patterns in the graying process. Normally, it is believed that men go gray between the ages of 35 and 40, and women between 40 and 45. In addition, there is a relationship between this process and race. For example, Asians go gray earlier than Europeans - after 30 years. Representatives of the Negroid race turn gray later than everyone else - closer to 50 years.
The first gray hair can appear as early as 14 years old, if there is a predisposition to this, especially hereditary. Rare exceptions are cases where gray hair does not appear even at retirement age. Such exceptions and average options are determined by a number of reasons, which we will consider separately.
Causes of graying hair
Gray hair can appear gradually, and this process can take years. However, there are cases when people become gray almost in one day. The process of graying depends on the amount of melanin inside the hair. – a pigment that gives color to skin and hair. The more melanin, the darker the skin and hair. Melanin is produced by cells such as melanocytes. In turn, the work of melanocytes directly depends on tyrosinase, a copper-containing enzyme.
Nutrition in general determines our health. When there is a restriction on strict diets or the body does not receive enough necessary nutrients, this can result in the appearance of gray hair.
Even a common flu can affect, and more serious diseases even more so. Diseases of the blood, kidneys, liver and skin contribute to the premature appearance of gray hair. In addition, it is necessary to pay special attention to hormonal disorders. The thyroid gland produces hormones, and hair pigmentation directly depends on the amount of tyrosinase. Changes in hormonal levels can affect the production of this enzyme and deprive the hair of pigmentation.
If premature gray hair appears, it would be a good idea to consult a trichologist. If the causes of graying hair depend on the condition of other organs and systems, then he will refer you to a specialized specialist for diagnosis and treatment.
Stress should be identified as a separate factor that can cause premature graying. Severe emotional shocks can cause almost instantaneous graying. It is clear that it is impossible to avoid stress and creating greenhouse conditions for yourself is also not an option. It may be worth working on rethinking stressors, taking time for relaxation and activities that bring pleasure and strength to increase your energy level.
How to prevent premature graying
In order to prevent early graying, you should follow some rules.
- Proper nutrition. Balance your diet, enrich it with the right amount of vitamins and microelements.
- Take vitamin and mineral complexes periodically.
- Protect your hair from ultraviolet radiation. Do not be under the scorching sun without a hat and use.
- Do a head massage. This improves blood circulation, which improves the overall condition of the hair.
- Increase your own stress resistance.
Folk remedies for graying hair
Nettle infusion has proven to be the most effective remedy for preventing early graying. Pour crushed nettle leaves (about 100 grams) into 500 ml of boiling water. Let it brew for 20 minutes. Use the infusion as a rinse once a week. If you add vinegar (500 ml) to it and boil it, then it is useful to rub this mixture into the roots. Nettle is great for maintaining hair shine and color. Nettle infusion can also be taken orally before meals - half a glass 3-5 times a day.
As practice shows, eating greens, especially parsley and celery, helps delay the onset of graying for a long period. In addition, freshly squeezed apricot, blackberry or pear juice has a beneficial effect on hair pigmentation if you drink a glass of this juice daily.
Early graying is a very common phenomenon. Gray hair appears before the age of 24 in Caucasian men and women, and in dark-skinned people up to the age of 30, and by the age of forty their hair becomes completely white. Agree, aesthetically it’s not very pleasant. Let's take a closer look at why gray hair appears at a young age and whether there are ways to combat it.
At what age does the first gray hair appear?
The norm is the appearance of the first silvery curls at the age of 33-40 years. Once you notice gray hairs, their number will increase significantly every year. You just need to come to terms with this phenomenon, because the process is inevitable.
It should be noted that it is quite difficult to establish a specific norm for the appearance of gray hair, because this natural process is influenced by habitat, genetic predisposition, race and many other factors.
Interesting point: Every ten years, melanin production drops by an average of 20% (the period begins at age 30 for Europeans). Gray hair at an early age is an exception to the rule.
The appearance of gray hair occurs at different times in different races and nationalities. Europeans are most prone to an ashen color, because their first gray hairs appear at the age of 35. Asians follow them - closer to 42 years old, and then the Negroid race catches up - 50 years old. But the palm in terms of pigment durability is occupied by the Indians, who turn gray by the age of 70.
There are such options for the appearance of silver hair:
- focal when only certain areas turn gray (for example, the strand of hair at the temple);
- partial(some hairs become ashy in color);
- complete(all hair becomes discolored).
Women's curls first turn silver in the temporal part of the head, then move to the crown and back of the head. And for some reason, young girls' hair turns gray at the end or in separate sections along the length of the hair.
For young people, the picture is somewhat different - they turn ashy in color from roots to tips. Besides, Males always turn gray ten years earlier.
Why do people go gray
As you know, the coloring of our hair in its natural color occurs due to melanin produced by body cells called melanocytes. These cells, in turn, produce certain substances: eumelanin, which colors our hair color into a dark brown or even dark color, and pheomelanin, which gives the hair a reddish tint. These two components, when mixed with each other, create the key color of keratin (hair protein).
Melanocyte cells act even before a person is born. But over time, they “retire”, ceasing to produce melanin. Sooner or later, such a situation will come. But most of us are worried about the question “why does hair turn gray at a young age?”
Not only weak melanin production is the cause of graying hair. Hair follicles are known to produce hydrogen peroxide, which bleaches hair. If the hairs are healthy, then it is destroyed with the help of a special enzyme produced by the liver. Due to age-related changes, the production of this substance noticeably decreases, so hydrogen peroxide lightens hair.
Why do young people have gray hair?
Oddly enough, gray hair is not only for older people. Gray hair can appear at 25, 20, 18, and even in a newborn baby. So let's figure out why the hair of very young people turns gray early.
Trichologists identify a whole range of reasons that provoke hair discoloration. The most important among them:
- strong psycho-emotional shocks (that is, a person’s hair turns gray due to fear);
- genetic factor (if your parents turned gray early, then with an 80% probability we can assume that you will suffer the same fate);
- previous diseases, especially cytomegalovirus infection, as well as common colds;
- improper metabolism, which is associated with diseases of internal organs (gastrointestinal tract and liver);
- diabetes mellitus or atherosclerosis;
- lack of iron in the body;
- hormonal imbalance associated with thyroid dysfunction (especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding and adolescence);
- lack of certain vitamins (as is known, vitamin B10 affects the proper absorption of protein, ensuring hair pigmentation);
- constant diets that lead to insufficient protein intake;
- unhealthy lifestyle (for example, heavy smokers intoxicate their body, which subsequently reduces oxygen saturation of the hair and kills melanocytes);
- improper hair care(regular use of a hairdryer and straightener, frequent washing of hair with hot water, the use of aggressive dyes and even incorrectly selected shampoo worsen the process of melanin release);
- exposure to UV rays, in particular, not using a protective cap when you visit a solarium.
Interesting to know: Gray hair at an early age appears due to fear, since at the moment of stress the body begins to intensively produce neuropeptides that can destroy the bonds between keratin and melanin. The production of the latter stops, and the curls lose their natural color.
Treatment
If a person begins to go gray very early, then separate attempts can be made to avoid rapid depigmentation of hair, so to speak, to slow down the process.
Perhaps the doctor will require PCR diagnostics to determine hormones, study the functioning of the thyroid gland, liver, and gastrointestinal tract organs.
Based on the data obtained, he will be able to select a special therapy for you, which will consist of drug treatment, physiotherapeutic procedures and special masks from the traditional medicine series.
But you must understand one thing, all these drugs and methods of acting on the scalp and hair follicle will only slow down the death of melanocyte cells. It will no longer be possible to return gray hairs to their former color.
Important point! When gray hairs appear, you should absolutely not pull them out. The fact is that new gray hair will soon appear in place of the one that was pulled out, and the pulling out procedure itself can have a detrimental effect on your skin, leading to dermatitis.
Drug treatment
If you have early gray hair, you will most likely be prescribed:
- magnesium injections;
- the drug “Antisedin”, which will ensure proper production of melanin pigment;
- vitamin cocktail (it must contain vitamins such as A, B, E, as well as trace elements: zinc, iodine, iron, copper);
- special lotions and shampoos based on zinc, copper and iron, which are designed to nourish your curls.
Unfortunately, you can’t expect 100% relief from ill-fated ashen hairs, doctors warn about this during your appointment.
Traditional medicine
If you want to enhance the effect of using medications, then turn your attention to recipes for healing masks, lotions and decoctions, which can be used both internally and used to nourish curls externally. Remember, miraculous plants, gifted by nature itself, will improve your curls and can prevent the appearance of gray hair.
Essential oils for hair
As you know, some oils, when applied to curls, can give them not only shine and beauty, but also nourish them with useful substances.
You will need:
- 70 ml sesame oil;
- 40 ml thyme oil.
Preparation and use:
- Combine the oils into a single suspension. Shake well.
- Leave to brew for about a month.
- A small amount of the mixture is actively rubbed into the curls.
- Leave for about 15 minutes and then wash off with water.
The course of the procedure is 28 days, while rubbing into the hair should be carried out regularly at intervals of one day.
Advice. In order to save time on procedures, you can simply add rosemary essential oil to your shampoo. The proportions should be observed: for 1 tablespoon of shampoo you will need 3 drops of oil.
An effective pollen-based mask
Bee pollen is a storehouse of vitamins and microelements. In combination with jojoba oil, it is designed to improve the condition of the hair and improve its lipid balance.
You will need:
- 4 tbsp. l. jojoba oils;
- 1 tsp. bee pollen.
Preparation and use:
- Combine the mask ingredients together.
- Mix the resulting mixture thoroughly before use.
- Distribute the suspension on damp hair.
- Wait 20 minutes until the active ingredients penetrate the hair and scalp. To speed up activation, cosmetologists recommend covering your hair with a plastic bag and then with a terry towel.
- After the stated period has expired, simply rinse off the composition with regular running water.
The course of treatment with such a mask is three weeks, and the healing suspension must be applied to the curls every 3 days.
Red pepper
We all know that red pepper improves microcirculation of the skin, which is why all the microelements and vitamins entering our body safely reach the hair follicle, improving the hair structure.
You will need:
- 6 dried red peppercorns;
- 0.5 liters of alcohol or vodka.
To prepare an infusion, just pour red pepper with alcohol and let it brew for several days. The resulting solution rub into the scalp 2-3 times a day for 2 weeks.
Infusion based on ginseng root
Ginseng root is another effective remedy that is designed to eliminate the death of cells secreted by melanin.
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp. ginseng root;
- 0.5 liters of diluted alcohol.
Preparation and use:
- You need to grind the dry ginseng root and pour it with alcohol.
- The resulting mixture should be infused for several weeks in a dark place.
- The infusion is taken orally every morning before meals.
- The course of treatment is 3 weeks.
Salt based scrub
If you carry out salt scrubbing from time to time, you can eliminate dead skin scales on the scalp. Thanks to this simple manipulation, the replenishment of the follicles improves, hair falls out less and becomes stronger.
You can not just rub sea or potassium salt into your scalp, but make an interesting mask by combining fresh tea leaves with iodized salt. Resulting mass rubbed in 2-3 times a week for a month.
Stylists' opinions
If white hair appears on your hair at an early age, all stylists unanimously declare that you can simply dye your hair. And some hairdressing masters believe that gray hair is the peak of this season.
Ash curls give their owners sophistication, emphasize their sexuality, and give self-confidence.
That is why leading fashion houses often offer their clients lightening of gray hair. Mysterious shades of lavender, ivory, wet asphalt and silver provide a truly stunning and extravagant appearance to their owners.
But if you are not inclined to such experiments, then do:
- blonding;
- “pepper and salt” highlighting;
- armoring;
- coloring;
- coloring the strands at the temple (just in the place where you have the most white hair).
Advice. If gray hair covers up to 25% of your hair, you can safely tint your hair or use ammonia-free dyes. In cases where more than half of the head is discolored, permanent coloring with permanent paint will be required.
In terms of color, you should focus on gold or caramel, because this option makes the regrown white roots less noticeable.
Another great way to prevent early gray hair is vitamin therapy. carried out in the salon. You can order:
- nourishing curls with keratin;
- biolamination and screening of hair;
- microelement therapy (acupuncture of useful substances into the scalp, which improves the condition of the hair and prevents the appearance of gray hair);
- nourishing natural masks and compresses based on decoctions of herbs, algae, vitamin essences;
- plasmolifting (plasma is extracted from your blood, which is injected subcutaneously into the scalp - cell regeneration processes, including melanocides, are launched).
Prevention of early gray hair
To prevent your curls from becoming whitish prematurely, we recommend that you start properly caring for them and your body. You just need to follow some rules:
- Your diet should be rich in protein, fiber and vitamins. Therefore, include cheese or meat, fish, and vegetable salads in each portion of your meal. Between breakfast, lunch and dinner, have a light snack of fruit. Apples, bananas, oranges, kiwis and other vitamin-containing foods are suitable. It is advisable to add iodized salt to food.
- Once a year you should be examined by a trichologist or endocrinologist to know what state your hormonal levels are in.
- Stop worrying unnecessarily. Learn to cope with stress and enjoy life every minute. If it doesn't work out very well, try enrolling in a yoga course.
- Take proper care of your curls. For example, make fortified masks once a week. Do not injure your strands with a hairdryer or straightener, and always wear a hat in summer and winter.
- Stop smoking, which causes intoxication of the body.
- Start leading an active lifestyle and follow a rest regime. As you know, if you are often on the move, your blood will be more actively saturated with oxygen, which means that melanocides will be able to serve you faithfully for a long time.
- Choose the right cosmetics depending on your skin type and hair structure. At least once a week, nourish your strands with castor or burdock oil. Rinsing curls does not have to be done using cosmetics purchased on store shelves. It is best to use herbal decoctions - sage, nettle, oak bark, chamomile, birch.
- Massage the dermis of your head regularly throughout the day to improve blood flow. To do this, it is recommended to use a regular massage comb that does not have rough teeth.
Thus, the early appearance of gray hair is not as scary as it might seem at first glance. If you improve the functioning of individual organs and systems in time, start eating right and taking care of your hair, you can stop going gray. To hide already gray hairs, you should choose the best coloring option or simply tint your curls.
Useful videos
What to do with gray hair?
The main causes of graying hair and how to deal with it.
Gray hair is a natural stage in the life of every person. Hair bleaching usually begins after age 35, but in some cases it occurs much earlier.
Oddly enough, the appearance of gray hair is surrounded by a lot of myths. Some of these prejudices are firmly entrenched in the minds of most people. You can read about the real causes and methods of treatment on the site, but for now, let's try to figure out which of the most common statements about gray hair is true, and which is an unsubstantiated prejudice.
Statement 1: minus one, plus five
According to one theory, in place of one torn gray hair, several new ones will certainly appear. The number varies from myth to myth; some talk about two new hairs, others claim that there will be at least seven.
Of course, this is a myth. Removing gray hair can in no way affect the appearance of new ones or the discoloration of old ones. By tearing it out, you will simply lose one hair. After a while, exactly the same gray hair will appear in its place.
It is worth noting that there is no need to pull out gray hair. No, this will not speed up the graying process, but it can damage the hair follicle. In this case, nothing else will grow in place of the torn hair.
Statement 2: Gray hair appears with age
This statement can only be called half correct. The cause of gray hair is a lack of melanin. The color of hair, skin and eyes depends on the amount of this hormone. One of the factors reducing melanin production is indeed age-related changes.
However, we should not forget that there are a lot of factors not related to age that reduce the amount of the hormone.
The most common violations among them are:
- hormonal imbalance;
- diseases of the endocrine gland;
- genetic diseases;
- vitamin deficiency;
- stress;
- deficiency of ultraviolet radiation.
Therefore, if your first gray hair appeared at a young age (before 35), you should not think about old age, but visit a doctor and undergo a comprehensive examination. It is quite possible that the reason lies in a lack of vitamins or other substances that can be replenished, thus postponing the arrival of gray hair for several years.
Statement 3: Gray hair due to stress
It is difficult to call this statement a lie or true for one simple reason: in recent years, the word stress has practically lost its true meaning. Indeed, today most people call this term anything: nervous tension, and just excitement.
In fact, stress is the body's physiological response to serious physical or psychological stress.
If we consider this definition of stress, it can be noted that it can actually cause gray hair. However, not everything is so simple here either.
As noted earlier, stress can cause a decrease in melanin production, which will lead to gray hair. However, this is a rather lengthy process that cannot happen in one or two days.
Moreover, it all depends on a combination of factors. For example, a healthy body that does not suffer from vitamin and mineral deficiencies is unlikely to dramatically reduce melanin production due to stress.
Frequent stress can affect the appearance of gray hair, but it should not be considered the root cause of the problem. Also, do not think that ordinary excitement provokes this phenomenon. If this were true, then most of the students were completely gray after the first session.
Statement 4: “... and in the morning I woke up with a gray head”
There is probably no person who has not heard of someone turning gray overnight after an injury or shock. A striking example is the legend that Marie Antoinette turned gray the night before her execution.
In fact, it's almost impossible. In medical practice, there has not been a single case of such rapid graying.
However, the relationship between trauma (shock) and a decrease in melanin cannot be denied. As in the previous case, there is a possibility of gray hair appearing after a fairly long period of time (at least several months).
Statement 5: Gray hair is stronger than pigmented hair.
The theory that gray hair is stronger than normal hair can hardly be called a myth or truth. The fact is that hairs that have changed their color have a slightly different structure: they are stiff and rough.
However, their strength is purely individual and depends on the general condition of the body, the quality of pigmented hair and many other factors.
The myth that gray hair is thicker than pigmented hair most likely arose as a result of an optical illusion. Against the background of dark curls, light strands will always look more voluminous.
Statement 6: gray hair is gray or white
This statement is a clear myth, which is again due to an optical illusion. When combined with dark pigmented strands, gray hair can appear white or gray.
In fact, gray hair has a yellow tint. The saturation of the shade depends on the individual characteristics of the body.
The yellow color in hair comes from hydrogen peroxide produced by the body. This substance is the product of any biological reaction in the human body. Hydrogen peroxide has the properties of destroying melanin (which is why “peroxide” is often included in bleaching paints).
In a young healthy body, catalase prevents the destruction of melanin. This enzyme significantly reduces its production due to age-related changes and other factors. It is at this moment that hydrogen peroxide almost unimpededly destroys melanin and gives the curls a slight yellowness.
Claim 7: Gray hair can be caused by a lack of vitamin B
This statement is absolutely true. A lack of B vitamins negatively affects the body's metabolic processes and can cause disruption in the production of hormones.
In the case of hair, one of the most important vitamins in this group can be called pantothenic acid (B5). By normalizing the amount of this element, you can slightly delay the appearance of gray hair and improve the condition of the body. Where is pantothenic acid found?
Vitamin B5 can be found in:
- peas;
- yeast;
- hazelnuts;
- cereals;
- dairy products;
- fish caviar;
- chicken meat.
In addition, if gray hair appears, you should consult a doctor and choose a vitamin complex for yourself.
Statement 8: Smokers go gray earlier
Smoking is harmful, but it is still impossible to say unequivocally that nicotine contributes to the appearance of early gray hair. Naturally, smokers run the risk of disruption of metabolic processes and the production of hormones, which will lead to a lot of problems, including earlier graying.
Scientific studies cannot confirm that every smoker will go gray prematurely. There are a lot of third-party factors (for example, genetic predisposition) that affect the purity of the experiment and do not allow us to answer the question unambiguously.
Statement 9: only permanent dye can cope with gray hair
This statement is a myth. Yes, hair that has changed pigmentation is really difficult to dye, but this applies not only to natural products, but also to professional dyes.
The fact is that gray hair has a coarser texture, and therefore the dye applies unevenly to it and does not last long. Permanent dyes may last longer than natural products, but they significantly worsen their condition.
Herbal infusions and natural dyes perfectly color gray hair. In addition, many natural-based products improve the condition of curls and scalp, giving curls softness and silkiness.
Statement 10: You can get rid of gray hair
Despite the fact that advertisements for products that return gray hair to their original color appear every now and then on the Internet, this is just a myth. To date, there is no reliable evidence that gray hair can be returned to its original shade.
On the contrary, doctors say: graying is an irreversible process. Without dyeing, it is impossible to return the natural color to your curls.
However, everything is not so bad. Today, there are many methods for treating gray hair. They involve strengthening and nourishing pigmented hair and significantly slow down the process of the appearance of new gray strands.
Claim 11: Gray hair from the sun
Stories that a person can turn gray due to ultraviolet radiation are nothing more than a myth that has no scientific basis. Long exposure to the sun can make the strands a little lighter, however, as the hair grows, it will return to its natural color.
It is worth remembering that it is not an excess, but a deficiency of sunlight that can affect the appearance of gray hair. How does ultraviolet radiation affect the appearance of gray hair?
The fact is that UV radiation provokes the production of vitamin D, which is involved in the body's metabolic processes. The lack of this substance negatively affects the immune system and organ function, which can subsequently cause gray hair. Of course, a sufficiently large amount of time must pass for this to happen.
Statement 12: genes are to blame for everything
The age at which gray hair appears is determined by genes - this is the absolute truth. In the vast majority of cases, gray hair appears at the same age as the parents.
It is important to remember that there are many factors that negatively affect the body and provoke the appearance of gray hair at an early age.
According to recent studies, heredity only determines the age of gray hair by 30%. That is why you should not rely solely on genes. A healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet and taking care of your health will help delay the graying of your hair.
No matter what age gray hair appears, remember: this is an absolutely normal stage in the life of any person.
.The hair of all people is colored by the same substance - melanin. Thus, gray hair is those hairs that do not have melanin or have received very little of it. This substance (melanin) is created by synthesis in special cells that are located in the skin and are called melanocytes. About a tenth of skin cells are melanocytes. In their shape, they vaguely resemble octopuses, and inside they contain special amino acids that are detached from proteins that enter the body with food and are synthesized under the influence of enzymes into melanin.
The resulting melanin turns into tentacles of the cell, with which it interacts with neighboring skin cells and transfers melanin to them. Thanks to this process, the skin has its natural color, accordingly, the more melanin there is in the skin cells, the darker it will be. Human hair grows from special “tubes” called hair follicles. They contain skin cells, that is, melanin. It is from the follicle that the pigment makes its way into the hair, giving it a particular color.
Causes of gray hair
When melanin stops flowing to the hair, it begins to lose its color (grey). There are two reasons why hair turns gray:
- Melanocytes begin to produce less melanin, resulting in their tentacles becoming shorter and, as a result, they no longer contact the hair follicles;
- Reduction of melanin synthesis in malanocytes due to human age. In this case, some hair begins to receive less than the required amount of this substance and begins to lose its color.
It should be noted that the skin can also lose its color with age, but this process is not so noticeable.
There are cases where melanocytes completely disappear around the hair follicles. In such situations, the hair becomes completely white.
Why does hair turn white?
This is due to the fact that the natural color of undyed keratin is white. Keratin is the backbone of the hair shaft. There are times when it seems that you can see a shock of gray hair on this or that person. However, very often this is just an optical illusion. Because gray hair grows mixed with dark hair.
Why does hair turn gray early?
If your gray hair begins to appear early enough, then most likely one of your parents also began to experience gray hair at a fairly early age. Since it depends on the parents or grandparents when and why the hair of young people turns gray.
According to the results of a study conducted among Australian men, they showed that between the ages of 22 and 34, almost 22% began to go gray. Also, almost 95% of people have gray hair after 55 years.
However, there are very rare cases when a person lives to old age, maintaining his original hair and not having a single gray hair.
A very interesting fact is that people with light hair (blonds) are much more susceptible to full gray hair, but the white highlights are more visible in the dark-haired population.
Why do melanocytes disappear?
Scientists still can't find the answer to what causes melanocytes to disappear over time. There is an unconfirmed belief that free radicals (created from the oxidation of biological "fuels") somehow damage melanocytes.
It is also a reliable fact that some diseases (influenza, typhus, malaria and other diseases) can lead to significant damage to the structure of melanocytes. The same effect is obtained with radioactive irradiation, diabetes mellitus, and increased activity of the sugar gland. Loss of hair color is possible due to poor nutrition, especially with vitamin B12 deficiency, but by returning to a normal diet, it is possible to restore the normal amount of melanin in the body and your hair will return to its natural color.
How to prevent gray hair
Nutrition
Proper nutrition helps prevent graying hair Balancing our diet is one of the key factors that contribute to maintaining youth, health and beauty. To prevent graying, you should include foods rich in these six minerals in your diet:
- calcium– dairy products, soy, nuts, wheat, greens;
- copper– eggs, beans, green vegetables, almonds, mushrooms, pumpkin seeds;
- zinc– mushrooms, whole grains, oysters, egg yolks;
- chromium– oysters, wine, wheat bread;
- iron– seaweed, apples, legumes, buckwheat, beef, eggs, cocoa;
- iodine– black currant, sea fish, persimmon, seaweed.
For normal hair pigmentation, your daily diet should include foods high in the following vitamins:
- beta carotene– carrots, cabbage, fish, spinach, liver;
- E– almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts, sea buckthorn, dried apricots, pistachios, wheat, spinach, viburnum;
- WITH– citrus fruits, rose hips, kiwi, apples, berries, bell peppers, wild garlic, Brussels sprouts;
- group B (B3, B5, B6, B7, B10 and B12)– pine nuts, cashews, lentils, pork, rabbit, mackerel, sardines, liver, champignons, eggs, dairy products, beans, walnuts, sea buckthorn;
- folic acid– liver, peanuts, walnuts, beans, spinach, hazelnuts, broccoli, wild garlic;
- inositol– melon, nuts, meat, prunes, kiwi, legumes.
The above minerals and vitamins are important not only for normal hair pigmentation, but are also necessary for maintaining hair health. Daily inclusion of foods rich in them in your diet will improve your hair and make it shiny and strong.
In addition to these vitamins and minerals, your diet should include foods high in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids:
- flax seeds;
- fish oil;
- salmon;
- olive oil;
- oats;
- almonds, etc.
All these beneficial substances can be taken in the form of dietary supplements and vitamin-mineral complexes:
- Melan+ for men and Melan+ for women;
- Neurobex;
- Complements selenium.
They should be taken with meals and with plenty of water. These medications should not be taken after heavy meals, as in such cases they will not be fully absorbed.
Drinking regime
Hair follicles are extremely sensitive to lack of fluid in the body. Lack of water impedes the intake and absorption of nutrients and can cause graying of hair. That is why, to maintain their health, it is necessary to drink 1.5-2 liters of water daily.
Proper hair care
When the first gray hair appears, you should pay close attention to hair care:
- Wash your hair with water at a comfortable temperature.
- Use shampoos, conditioners and masks that contain non-aggressive detergent ingredients, vitamins, natural extracts and nutrients.
- Minimize the use of hair dryers, curling irons, straighteners, aggressive dyes and styling products.
- Wear hats in hot and frosty weather.
- Avoid styling that disrupts normal blood circulation in the scalp: ponytails, braids, the use of hairpins, elastic bands, etc.
Salon treatments
The appearance of gray hair can be stopped using the following procedures performed in beauty salons:
- laser therapy;
- plasma lifting;
- ultrasound therapy;
- microelementary mesotherapy.
Hardware hair treatment methods can be supplemented by the use of nourishing masks and vitamin serums:
- Dikson POLIPANT COMPLEX;
- Dercos Technique Vichy;
- Intensive Energizing Complex, etc.
Folk remedies
To prevent the appearance of gray hair, you can use various folk remedies that help restore their health.
Garlic mask
Pass the garlic through a press. Add a little burdock oil to the resulting paste and rub into the hair roots with gentle massaging movements. The head should be wrapped in a warm towel. Rinse off the mask after 10-15 minutes, rinse hair with shampoo. Repeat the procedure 2 times a week.
Applications with infusion of burdock roots
Pour 2 tablespoons of chopped burdock roots and 2 teaspoons of dill fruit into 0.5 liters of boiling water and leave for about 3 hours. Rub into clean scalp 2 times during the day. The procedure should be repeated daily for 3 months.
Wheat germ oil mask
Mix 30 ml of wheat germ oil with 7 drops of lavender, rose and sandalwood oil. Apply with massaging movements to the scalp, wrap and keep for about 1-2 hours. Wash off with shampoo. The mask should be applied 2 times a week for 2-3 months.
Before using these and other folk remedies, you should make sure that there is no allergic reaction to the components of the recipe.
Stress management
Normal functioning of the body is possible only in the absence of stress. The mechanism of action of numerous neurotransmitters on the body and hair pigmentation, which enter the bloodstream during stressful situations, helped to understand the discovery made by 2012 Nobel Prize winner chemist Robert Lefkowitz. It is long-term exposure to stress factors that can cause graying and many other negative consequences.
To avoid physical and psycho-emotional stress, it is recommended to get rid of all provoking factors and bad habits, master relaxation techniques, normalize sleep and rest patterns, spend more time in the fresh air, engage in physical exercise, hobbies and lead a healthy lifestyle. If necessary, you should undergo treatment from a neurologist or psychotherapist.
Treatment of chronic diseases
Regular follow-up with a specialist and following all his recommendations will help prevent the appearance of gray hair in various chronic diseases - autoimmune pathologies, diseases of the skin, thyroid gland, digestive tract, kidneys.
