Thursday, May 2, 2024

Gray Hair: Everything You Need to Know About Causes and Hair Care

how to prevent gray hair

"Reducing oxidative stress on the hair by protecting the scalp from the sun...is advisable," according to Farber. This can be done by wearing scalp sunscreen or protective sun hats. First, you should know that the consensus among scientists and medical professionals is that the root cause of gray hair lies in genetics.

Option 2: Consider removing old hair dye from natural gray strands.

Here are some ways to combat the factors that contribute to graying strands. Gray hair is commonly brittle, so choosing the right products is key, especially if you're coloring your grays. Leake recommends combatting wiry grays with moisturizing serums, hydrating shampoo and conditioner, hair masks, and occasional treatments.

Can Vitamins, Supplements, and Other Remedies Reverse Gray Hair?

Green points out that due to the fact that graying is almost always the result of natural aging, there’s no real way to completely prevent it. “However, under not so common circumstances, gray hair may be the result of some illnesses such as a vitamin B12 deficiency, thyroid disorders, vitiligo, and alopecia areata,” she says. Low levels of vitamin B12 can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath, and yes, dry, thinning, and prematurely gray hair. You can keep your B12 levels topped up by consuming lots of eggs, cheese, milk, and chicken. "We know that stress uses up vitamin B, and some studies have shown that taking large doses of certain B vitamins (B6, B12, folic acid) have begun to reverse the process of graying in three months," says trichologist Sara Allison. L-tyrosine, on the other hand, is an amino acid naturally found in the body that's responsible for melanin production.

Stop smoking

They showed that stress was linked to hairs turning gray, and when that stress was removed, some color was restored in some parts of the hair. A recent study showed that people who experience psychological stress were more likely to develop gray hair. It’s important to know that the study was pretty small, so we need more research to figure out exactly how this happens.

Are there natural remedies that slow hair from graying?

how to prevent gray hair

She loves to practice what she preaches in her everyday life with copious amounts of herbal tea, Pilates, and hyaluronic acid. Knight & Wilson hair expert Scott Cornwall says that hair styling products could have a similar effect. As a final step, a drop of hair oil can remedy dry, brittle strands by locking in moisture. Delicately slather on Davines OI Oil to add shine and softness to wet or dry hair without weighing it down, especially if hair is feeling extra coarse. Bread Beauty Supply’s elixir is a solid choice, too, powered by Kakadu plum for unmatched shine and hydration.

Just because you’re going gray, doesn’t mean you have to dye it

My favorite gray hair shampoo is by White Hot Hair, a company based in the UK that was founded by Jane Mayled. It's a soft violet-colored shampoo that tones the hair and brightens it. The Glorious Shampoo ($22) is a white shampoo for daily use that detoxifies the hair and restores shine. I follow that up with the Luminous Conditioner ($22), which is a creamy conditioner that adds extra hydration, radiance, and shine. It may even contribute to premature graying, especially before the age of 30. Certain nutrients can ensure that your hair follicles are producing pigmentation as they should, especially in the case of premature graying.

How can you care for your hair to stop greys coming early?

For a more graduated, natural look, if only about 20 to 30 percent of your hair is gray, you can also opt for balayage, which works if you don’t have as many grays. "It will camouflage the gray and make it look like highlights," says Hazan. There are so many options out there, it's no wonder you might have color confusion.

One study found that stress induces the release of noradrenaline from sympathetic nerves, which depletes the stem cells that give hair its color. Anyone who has white hair resulting from a vitamin deficiency should consume more foods loaded with those vitamins. Hydrogen peroxide, which is in many hair dyes, is one such harmful chemical. Excessive use of products that bleach hair will also eventually cause it to turn white. There are conflicting research studies on real-life stress, such as that caused by injury, leading to premature graying.

Vitamin deficiencies

Epidemiological and investigative study of premature graying of hair in higher secondary and pre-university school children. The study involved a small number of people, and the changes in hair color were subtle and only seen with a high-resolution scanner. But they provide evidence that turning gray may not be a fixed process. In the study, researchers were able to analyze how individual hair shafts changed over time.

What Are the Causes of Gray Hair as You Age? - AARP

What Are the Causes of Gray Hair as You Age?.

Posted: Tue, 05 Jan 2021 08:00:00 GMT [source]

A small 2020 study in the International Journal of Trichology showed increased oxidative stress markers in those who went prematurely gray (defined as before age 30). Smoking, sun exposure, pollution, and certain chemicals, like those found in some hair dyes (ironic, right?). You can’t exactly trigger or stop grey hair growth based on your diet, but eating certain foods can help mitigate the vitamin and mineral deficiencies that can lead to white hairs. Lentils and chickpeas, for example, are good sources of vitamin B9, or folate. Salmon can provide vitamin D, and tuna, trout, and sardines all offer a healthy dose of vitamin B12. In addition, walnuts are an excellent source of copper, which can aid melanin production in your hair.

"A healthy diet and lifestyle is not only good for your overall well-being but also for your skin and hair health," says Lain. While the genetic aspect of our hair-graying process is out of our hands (thanks, Mom and Dad), a few simple lifestyle shifts can help you hold on to your hued hair longer, experts say. As hair grows from its follicle, melanocytes add pigment via melanin into the hair cells that contain keratin, the protein that makes up hair, nails and skin. According to a 2023 review in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, researchers believe the body has a "melanogenic clock" that can slow down or halt this melanocyte activity. This "clock" is controlled by our DNA, but it can be adjusted based on what the environment throws your way.

Secrets of gray hair revealed: Scientists may have figured out why our hair does this - Fox News

Secrets of gray hair revealed: Scientists may have figured out why our hair does this.

Posted: Sat, 22 Apr 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Do not exceed 350 degrees, and never let the tool remain in one place on the hair for more than a few seconds. I rarely even blow-dry my hair, and when I do, I make sure I never leave the heat blowing in one area for too long. I usually air-dry my hair and create an easy beach wave with a simple styling wand ($169) from The Dry Bar. If you must use a hot tool, it is imperative to use a strong heat protectant before styling with hot tools. I know when I have a great cut, I can wear my gray hair both curly and straight — either way, it looks amazing.

Quantitative mapping of human hair greying and reversal in relation to life stress. Or you can ditch the hair dye and opt to gray naturally and gracefully. As Sarchet points out, at-home color results vary more than salon-quality results, so start small. And remember, color is often more visible once it dries, so if you need to start with one layer of product, it could be worth it to wait and check in after 24 hours to see if you have to go back in for round two. Whether you'll be using a spray or a brush applicator, it's always worth it to perform a test run of the product to see how it will apply. Test out your ability to target your grays on a paper towel first.

In one study, researchers found that, in mice, the response to stress damages DNA which accumulates over time. Although another mouse study has shown a link, there isn’t any scientific evidence on humans that illustrates a direct correlation between stress and gray hair. There are plenty of hair dyes on the market that cover white hair, but many of these contribute to premature graying and may cause allergic reactions. For starters, you want to use a blue or purple-hued shampoo and conditioner several times a month to keep your color strong. “Clarifying and purple shampoos can keep the gray or white hair brighter and will also help prevent the yellowing that comes from the sun,” says Leppard. Purple shampoo, in particular, color-corrects warm tones in blonde hair.

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