Introduction
Greying of hair is a natural part of the ageing process. However, sometimes your hair follicles prematurely begin to lose their natural pigment due to many factors, such as:
Ø oxidative stress
Ø antioxidant intake
Ø genetics
Ø obesity
Ø lifestyle habits
Ø stress exposure
Ø medical conditions.
Premature greying of hair can have a negative impact on young people’s self-esteem, particularly in those with darker hair types. As a result, long-term and effective grey hair management is critical. While it may not be possible to reverse the process, no matter what some marketers claim, the good news is that you can reduce premature greying of hair by following some simple tips and home remedies.
Read on to explore some simple tips to preserve your natural hair colour.
Tips to reduce premature greying of hair
1. Improve your diet
The foremost solution to every health issue – including premature greying of hair — is correcting your diet routine. There are a few foods that you must consume in order to recover your black, lustrous hair, which include:
a. Copper-rich foods stimulate melanin synthesis and result in increased pigmentation of your hair. Foods like cashews, potatoes, chickpeas, and mushrooms contain significant quantities of copper. Similarly nuts and seeds such as almonds, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds also help reduce premature grey hair.
b. It is also important to include Vitamin B-rich food sources such as curd, paneer, banana, carrots or even a vegetable juice of your choice. These foods boost the body’s oxygen supply, which helps maintain your cells healthy and active, resulting in strong, lubricious hair.
c. Increase your protein intake. It gives your hair a natural shine and a good texture.
d. Include more minerals in your diet. Have foods rich in zinc, iron and copper,
Simply said, a well-balanced diet enriched with essential nutrients and minerals such as copper, vitamin B, omega 3, iron, and iodine can prevent premature greying of hair.
2. Stop damaging your hair
Certain hair care actions can cause damage your hair. These include:
a. Bleaching and hair colour
b. using a brush instead of a wide-toothed comb, especially with wet hair
c. applying too much heat with a straightener, curling iron or hair dryer
d. using soaps and shampoos that have harsh detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate.
e. washing hair too frequently
3. Make lifestyle modifications
Premature greying may also be attributed to environmental and lifestyle factors. A number of factors, including lack of physical activity and smoking, may contribute to premature greying. Quit smoking and incorporate exercise in your daily routine to promote proper blood circulation to hair follicles.
4. Avoid Stress
New research suggests that there is a direct correlation between stress and grey hair. The body’s fight-or-flight response plays a key role in depigmentation, or greying of hair. Indulge in relaxing activities like yoga and meditation that help de-stress and rejuvenate.
5. Sleep well
A lack of a regular sleep cycle can also cause your hair to grey faster than usual. This is because the hormonal imbalance caused by a lack of sleep causes your body to produce less eumelanin (a type of melanin), the pigment that causes your hair to be black. Getting between seven to nine hours of sleep every night can have a positive impact on the cells that are responsible for maintaining the pigment in your hair follicles.
6. Tackle deficiencies with supplements
Deficiency of adequate amounts of iron, calcium, vitamins B12 and D3 in your diet can accelerate greyness in your hair strands. While supplements can fill in the gaps, it is important to consult your dermatologist before starting any supplements.
7. Protect hair from the sun
UV rays are harmful to your hair, just as they are to your skin. Constant exposure to UV rays can discolor and lighten your hair over time. The most effective and simplest way to protect your strands from the sun is to cover them with a physical barrier like a hat, scarf or an umbrella every time you step out under the harsh sun.
Final thoughts
Premature hair greying is one of the most common hair concerns among both men and women, owing to poor eating habits, stressful lifestyles, and the use of chemical-based hair products. Unless your hair is strong and healthy from the inside. It can be exceptionally challenging to tackle hair greying. Therefore, the first and foremost way to delay premature hair greying is to modify your diet and lifestyle routine. Chemicals like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), parabens, strong fragrances, etc. dry and damage your hair, so it’s best to avoid products that have these ingredients.
