Hair Turning White? Your questions answered
Written by: Swati on:
Let's admit it, most of us try to hold onto the natural colour of our hair for as long as possible. In my early 30s, I have a couple of white hair & there are days when I wish it stays this way for as long as possible. However, in recent times, premature whitening of hair has become quite a common issue. So naturally, this means how to stop white hair has become a popular question today.
In the post today, we will be talking about this issue. So let’s get into it.
What causes hair to turn white? Can hair whitening occur at any stage? And does it indicate any health problems?
First and foremost, a whitening or greying hair is a natural process that occurs with ageing. The scalp has hair follicles which have a pigment called melanin. These melanin cells give the hair its colour. With age, the follicles lose the pigment, which turns the hair white. That being said, hair whitening can happen at any age and depends on many things like :
- Genetics/ Hereditary
- Nutritional deficiencies (Vit B12, B6, Biotin, serum ferritin & HDL cholesterol etc. play an important role in hair health & a deficiency can make hair follicles weak & affect melanin).
- Autoimmune disease (like vitiligo or alopecia, the body's immune response can attack the hair follicles and lead to loss of pigment).
- Smoking (it constricts blood vessels which reduces blood flow in your body, including the hair follicles. A study conducted in 2013 found an association between smoking & premature hair greying).
- Chronic Stress (sleep disorders, diet, anxiety etc.)
- Thyroid disorder (both hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism can cause hormonal imbalances which can affect hair & melanin pigment)
- Long term use of chemicals like hydrogen peroxide to bleach hair can also be a factor in. decreasing the melanin pigment.
And now, the much sought after questions - How to stop white hair? And can it be prevented & reversed?
This primarily depends on the cause.
- If the cause is genetics, there isn't much that can be done. However, if the cause is a nutritional deficiency or a hormonal imbalance, then visiting a doctor & starting treatment might help a certain. Extent & melanin pigment can come back.
- Eating a well balanced nutritious diet goes a long way in keeping the body healthy, including your scalp & hair. In addition, a diet rich in antioxidants is beneficial in reducing oxidative stress. Regularly include fresh fruits, leafy green vegetables, green tea, fish, eggs, nuts, & seeds in your diet. If you do not consume meat or eggs, consult your doctor and see if you need supplements.
- Correct your lifestyle if you are a chronic smoker & seek professional help if you suffer from sleep or anxiety disorders.
- In some cases, ayurvedic remedies can also help, to an extent. Ingredients like curry leaves, bhringraj oil, Indian gooseberry/ Amla are all considered good for scalp & hair health.
I hope this post gave you an insight on greying and how to stop white hair. Visiting a medical professional and getting yourself checked to find out the cause is extremely important in managing and treating the condition accordingly.
Lastly, I want to leave you with this thought - I understand that having white hair can take a blow on confidence for many, but it is important to remember that everyone's hair will eventually start to turn white; it is a natural ageing process. Choosing to embrace it or wanting to cover it up using the many methods available today, that decision is entirely up to you - there's no right or wrong.
Stay healthy & happy!
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