13 Natural Ways to Prevent Premature Greying

What Causes Grey Hair?

While greying of hair is an inevitable process that occurs gradually with ageing, there are several other factors that can lead to early loss of pigment in hair strands. They include:

• Genes: The formation of hair is largely governed by the genetic makeup of our bodies. If your family has a history of early greying of hair, there is a high chance you will experience the same.
• Obesity: Excess body weight can possibly lead to premature greying of hair due to inflammation, increased oxidative stress and hormonal imbalances in the body.
• Smoking: Recent studies have linked smoking to greying of hair [1] . Smoking can constrict blood vessels and limit blood supply to hair, while cigarette toxins can directly accelerate the greying of hair.
• Stress: One of the biggest factors in premature greying of hair is chronic stress. Stress directly affects melanocytes and makes hair strands lose pigment, leading to the early appearance of white hair.
• Vitamins: If you are noticing too many greys, it’s possible you are lacking vitamin B12. Other nutritional deficiencies that can cause early greying of hair include low folate, copper, and/or iron levels.

What Are The Symptoms of Grey Hair?

Grey hairs are generally accompanied by common symptoms such as:

• Change in Colour
• Change in Texture
• Hair Thinning
• Patchy Distribution

What Are The Benefits of Using Home Remedies?

Home remedies for grey hair can offer convenient and affordable alternatives to managing white hair. Benefits of using the following home remedies for treating grey hair include:

• Natural Aand Chemical-Free:

Organic solutions come with unprocessed ingredients that can be trusted to be chemical-free. However, because everyone’s skin is unique, a patch test is essential to prevent unwanted reactions or allergies before applying directly to the scalp.

• Nourishes Scalp And Hair:

Natural substances have many vitamins, nutrients and minerals that can promote scalp health, fight pollution and slow down greying. Coconut oil, onion juice and amla are excellent sources of hydration and nourishment for the scalp.

• Helps Restore Pigment:

The Indian kitchen is full of ingredients like the humble methi (fenugreek) seeds and curry leaves that help darken hair by boosting melanin production over time,

• Improves Overall Hair Health:

 By providing nourishment, increasing melanin production and strengthening hair strands, natural remedies can improve overall scalp environment and make hair healthier and glossier.

What Are The Home Remedies For Grey Hair?

To prevent early greying of hair, you can rely on numerous natural cures. Let’s take a close look at the various home remedies for grey hair:

• Amla: Indian gooseberry, or amla, is a powerhouse of a fruit that is renowned for its potent antioxidants. Since it is rich in vitamin C and tannins, it prevents the early onset of white hairs and helps improve melanin production in the hair follicles.
• Curry Leaves: Grey hair can be delayed and managed well by the application of curry leaves. This is due to the presence of vitamins A, C, E and B as well as their antioxidant-rich composition.
• Ashwagandha: This is an effective home remedy for premature grey hair as it prevents it by neutralising free radicals and preserving hair’s natural colour.
• Bhringraj: One of the most long-standing Ayurvedic treatments for preventing premature greying as it stimulates melanin production.
• Hibiscus Flower: This gorgeous flower can naturally darken hair and act as a natural dye to camouflage grey locks. Applying hibiscus mask for 20 minutes, twice a week, can delay hair greying and improve the overall scalp environment.
• Coconut Oil: If mixed with curry leaves or amla, coconut oil can provide deep hydration and prevention from environmental damage and greying of hair.
• Black Sesame Seeds: Highly nutrient-rich, black sesame seeds can help in delaying premature greying. This is due to the presence of antioxidants and melanin-improving nutrients like copper, sesamin, and zinc.
• Onion: The high sulphur content in onions makes it an effective home remedy to prevent early greying of hair. Applying onion juice to the scalp for 15-20 minutes before shampooing can nourish hair follicles and lead to stronger, darker and shinier hair.
• Carrot Juice: Carrot juice is one of the healthy home remedies for premature hair greying. It is rich in beta-carotene, antioxidants and vitamin A that help in stimulating melanin production and overall circulation in the scalp.
• Almond Oil: Studies have shown that the fatty acids present in almond oil protect hair against damage from UV radiation [2] . Though almond oil does not directly play a role in treating grey hair, it hydrates, conditions and nourishes hair. Combining it with rosemary oil can help manage grey hair.
• Rosemary: Rosemary is an antioxidant-packed herb that is excellent for boosting scalp circulation and preventing early greying of hair. Diluted rosemary oil is known to improve hair texture, volume and shine.
• Fenugreek Seeds: The iron and potassium in fenugreek seeds or (methi) make them one of the effective home remedies for premature grey hair They also possess powerful antioxidant properties that help fight free radicals and keep grey hair at bay.
• Aloe Vera Gel: Pure aloe vera gel can help reduce scalp inflammation and moisturise it. This keeps the scalp environment healthy, and hair hydrated, preventing breakage and reducing the appearance of greys by enhancing natural hair shine.

When To Consult A Dermatologist?

Usually, a harmless process attributed to the natural process of aging or other lifestyle factors, grey hairs are harmless to ones health. However, pay attention to certain unusual ways in which they might appear on your scalp, including sudden and significant grey hair over a short duration. Likewise, if you experience premature greying or white hair along with white patches on your skin, consider seeking expert opinion before long.

A dermatologist will thoroughly examine your scalp and conduct comprehensive tests to arrive at an informed diagnosis. This will rule out underlying medical conditions, if any, for a customised, long-term and clinically proven treatment.

Takeaway

Hair can start turning grey for many reasons beyond natural ageing. From genes to stress and nutritional imbalances, premature greying of hair can cause aesthetic concern in some individuals. Home remedies for premature hair greying can help prevent early signs of greying. However, if you suspect underlying medical conditions and notice usually fast, early or excessive greying of hair, consult a specialised professional for precise treatment.