The white hair problem has become widespread not only in aged people but also in adults. Reportedly, white hair issue has become more common in young people, the reason of which is not often acknowledged by the victims. In order to eradicate the dilemma, it is crucial to thoroughly understand the process and to identify the reason of hair-graying.
White Hair Logic: The Process
Human body consists of thousands of hair follicles; they vary with natural hair color and gender. People with black or brown hair usually have an estimated average of 100,000 to 110,000 hair follicles, those with red hair have an average of 90,000 and blondes have 150,000.
Men have a hundred thousand more of these follicles than women. These hair follicles are comprised of pigment cells namely melanin that determine hair color. Hair follicles are bound to lose pigment over time and consequently, hair loses its natural color.
Insufficient melanin causes the hair to become gray whilst, no melanin under the scalp is the reason of white hair.
White Hair At A Young Age: Causes
Though the major reason of hair whitening is the age factor, white or gray hair are likely to appear at a young age; most probably at the age of 21 and above.
Read: Premature Gray Hair
For most people nowadays, hair follicles dispossess pigment at an earlier than average age. The common root causes of white hair are genetics, stress, thyroid disorder, vitamin B-12 deficiency and smoking.
Genetics
Genetics are reportedly the leading determinants of premature graying. It is probable for an individual to inherit genes that expose certain melanin-producing cells to defects. These defects cause the cells to produce melanin at a reduced or abnormal level or may even cause them to permanently inhibit the production. The genetic cause of hair graying cannot be uprooted; hair dyeing is inevitably a favorable option.
Stress
In addition to the various diseases that stress is believed to instigate, it can also hasten the hair graying process. Though any relationship between stress and hair graying has not been scientifically established, experiments and observations have proven that hair are prone to losing melanin almost five to ten years beforehand due to stress.
Read: Does stress cause gray hair?
Health Disorders
It is widely acknowledged by hair experts that certain autoimmune diseases like alopecia areata and vitiligo can cause premature hair graying. In such cases, the body’s immune system fails to recognize its own cells and that provokes destruction of hair follicle.
Furthermore, thyroid disorder and Vitamin-D deficiency can also effect hair cells and restrict melanin production.
Smoking
Similar to the other body organs, hair follicles require adequate blood flow to function properly. Smoking causes latent effects in human body including constriction of blood vessels, reduced blood flow to hair follicles and hence, depigmentation occurs. Thus, in order to avoid premature hair-graying, it is important to forbid smoking.
Preventing White Hair: Nutrients For Hair
As the saying goes “prevention is better than cure”, it is important to provide body with the correct composition of nutrients to keep the white-graying process from emanating. A blend of lean proteins, fruits and vegetables forms the perfect healthy diet to maintain the health of hair.
Lean Protein
Proteins are essential for health and repair of body organs including hair follicles. Out of the twenty amino acids that proteins are made of, nine cannot be manufactured by the body itself and must be supplied to the organs through protein-rich foods. It is recommended for women to consume at least 46 grams and for men to consume 65 grams of protein a day.
Lean protein can easily be incorporated into diet since there are a variety of sources. The sources with high nutrients and low fat and calories mainly include fish, chicken and turkey, lean beef, eggs, low-fat dairy, beans, peas and lentils. Salmon and Tuna fish are especially high in protein and also contain Omega-3 fatty acids that works miracles for scalp, skin and hair growth.
Iron & Zinc
Dermatologists believe that lack of iron and zinc absorption into the scalp can contribute towards unhealthy gray hair. Pairing red meat with non-meat sources such as soybeans, lentils and oranges is ideal to fight the iron and zinc deficiency.
Copper
Copper deficiency in body can be overcome by utilization of yams, nuts, spinach, crab, oysters, sunflower seeds, basil, marjoram and parsley. There are several other copper-rich foods but the aforesaid are likely to promote production of the hair pigment most efficiently.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D contains the power to activate hair growth. It also helps prevent white hair naturally. It is not found in high quantities in common foods except for fish. Some sources are crimini mushrooms (exposed to UV light), fortified tofu and yogurt and soy milk.
Although, sitting the sun for several minutes can induce greater vitamin D production in the body, it is not recommended due to the harmful effects caused by exposure to UV rays.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are unsaturated fatty acids that are easily found in walnuts, salmon, dark green, leafy vegetables, flax seed oil, krill oil and tuna. It is important for the body to consume these fatty acids through food sources as it is incapable of producing these on its own.
In addition to the benefits of moisturizing the scalp, promoting blood circulation, preventing dryness and dandruff, Omega-3 fatty acids also prevent premature white-graying.
Read:
Biotin
The vitamin B family also contributes towards white hair prevention. It is comprised of vitamin H or Biotin that is known to improve the health of hair. The deficiency of this vitamin in body is though very rare, it causes adverse effects on hair growth and color if it occurs.
Some of the biotin-rich sources are organ meats (such as liver or kidney), egg yolk, nuts (such as almonds, peanuts and walnuts), soybeans and other legumes, whole grains, bananas, cauliflower and mushrooms. The recommended potion of biotin ranges between 30 and 100 micrograms (mcg) per day for adolescents and adults.
Must Read:
- The Role Of Vitamin B In Reducing The Growth Of Gray Hair
- Why Vitamin B12 Deficiency Leads To Gray Hair?
- 20 Foods That Are Highly Loaded With Vitamin B12
The ‘all-encompassing’ Foods
It is possible to obtain all the essential nutrients for white hair prevention through daily singular consumption of some food items. Some of these foods are the following:
Mushrooms
Mushrooms’ consumption serves as a great white hair remedy. It contains all the required nutrients that keeps melanin intact. It also serves as a natural antioxidant and drives away a fungus named ‘Malassezia’ that is responsible for formation of dead skin cells underneath the scalp.
The plenty of copper in mushrooms helps retain the hair color over and above the age at which the hair follicles are likely to lose pigment.
Green Leafy Vegetables
Green leafy vegetables provide the perfect set of minerals and vitamins that can extend the life of natural hair color. Among the variety of options, silica is quintessential. The daily consumption of blends and smoothies that leafy greens is absolutely worthwhile.
Read: Top 8 Vegetables That Act As A Prevention Of White Hair
Blueberries
Apart from the variety of antioxidants that blueberries encompass, they also contain a plant chemical named ‘proanthocyanidins’ which interacts with hair follicles to accelerate melanin production. Blueberries are well-known to increase blood flow to body organs especially the scalp. The increased melanin production through blueberries does not only prevent hair whitening but also provide shine and volume to hair.
Oysters
Oysters qualify for the ‘all-encompassing’ foods list for white hair prevention as they contain zinc, copper and vitamin B-12. These minerals stabilize melanin production and provide nourishment to hair follicles and thus, its use can significantly reduce hair fall and slower down the hair-graying process.
Sunflower Oil
The exposure of hair to UV rays often damage hair cells and scale down their capacity to produce melanin. The use of sunflower oil prevents absorption of UV lights into hair.
Sunflower oil is packed with vitamin A, B, C and E, iron, potassium and calcium; all of which are advantageous to hair. It is also known to contain high levels of Oleic acid or Omega-9 acid. The acid not only stimulates melanin production and prevents gray hair but also prevents brittle hair and hair loss.
These are must read articles:-
- Top Listed Fruits For White Hair Prevention
- Top 11 Fishes That You Should Eat To Prevent White Hair
- The Top Listed Vitamins and Minerals to Prevent White Hair
Hair Color Restoration
The hair-whitening omnipresent issue can luckily be prevented with much ado. The onset of white or gray hair can be delayed under some aforesaid circumstances. However, if hair-graying symptoms are not given due consideration on time and the process has set in, it is fortunately possible to restore hair color.
The Natural Treatment
The natural method of regenerating hair color and enhancing melanin production requires efficient supply of specific nutrients to hair follicles. It is a time-taking process and usually requires months to years of consistent and proper hair care.
Vitamin B Complex, Brewer’s yeast, blackstrap molasses, Omega 3 fatty acids and coconut oil are some of the essential nutrients/ supplements that stimulate melanin production.
Vitamin B Complex
The ideal consumption of Vitamin B Complex requires half the daily dose in the morning and the other half in the evening. It enhances hair color by maintaining vitamin B at appropriate levels in human body.
Brewer’s Yeast
Brewer’s yeast is a scientifically proven method for restoring hair color. It contains a powerful element namely Biotin which is necessary for cell regeneration, hair growth and blood circulation. Biotin is also available in other food items including almonds, walnuts, eggs, milk, berries, carrots and Swiss chard.
Blackstrap Molasses
Hair color restoration can be made instantaneous with the use of Blackstrap molasses. It only requires two teaspoons for a few months to eradicate the vitamins and minerals deficiency that are necessary for hair color and growth.
Coconut Oil
In addition to increased hair growth, coconut oil is globally accepted to play a vital role in providing essential minerals to hair follicles and preventing or restoring hair color. It works wondrously when combined with Amla (Indian Gooseberry) and massaged into the scalp daily.
Also Read:
- Why Is Coconut Oil The Best Choice For Reversing Gray Hair?
- Amla Oil – Benefits, Facts, How To Make and Use Properly
Home Remedies For Preventing White Hair
Fortunately, hair experts & dermatologists have developed home remedies that largely help people regain their hair color. These home remedies use ingredients that are readily available in the market.
Black Tea
The black tea cure works on premature grey hair but when frequently performed, it can also reverse white hair. The ingredients include two tablespoons of black tea leaves and water.
Directions
Boil the tea leaves and allow tea to cool down at room temperature. Drain the water and apply the residue to hair. For long hair, the easiest way of even application is to pour tea in a spray bottle and spray onto the hair.
Sage Water Treatment
Sage water treatment is another home remedy for stopping the growth of white hair. It can be called the natural hair dye. The results are not instantaneous; it might take a few weeks but once they appear, they are long-lasting.
For sage water treatment, the ingredients include sage leaves (preferably black sage) and water.
Directions
Boil the sage leaves and allow tea to cool down at room temperature. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray all over the hair. Wash hair after two hours with a mild shampoo.
Coconut Oil and Lemon
To slow down the hair graying process, the coconut oil and lemon mixture is an effective home remedy. For good results, it should be used twice a week. The ingredients include coconut oil and three tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.
Directions
Mix the two ingredients together in a bowl. Apply the mixture to hair and gently massage for a few minutes. To spread evenly, comb it through the length of hair. Wash hair with a mild shampoo after an hour.
Coconut Oil and Fenugreek
Coconut oil is in itself a potent element for decelerating the hair graying process but when mixed with fenugreek (Latin name: Trigonella Foenum-graecum), it becomes more efficacious. This remedy requires fenugreek leaves or powder, water and one tablespoon coconut oil.
Directions
Mix the fenugreek powder and coconut oil. Apply the mixture to hair and leave it for half an hour. Rinse hair with water only. In case of fenugreek leaves, the leaves will have to be washed and then, mashed into a paste first.
Sesame Seed
Sesame seed is capable of turning absolute white hair to black. It also helps reduce hair loss. The treatment requires sesame seeds and water only.
Directions
Soak sesame seeds in water for several hours till they become soft. Crush the seeds to make a paste. This can be done either through food processor or using pestle and mortar. Apply the paste on the scalp and through the length of the hair and massage gently for a few minutes. Keep the paste applied for an hour and then, wash with mild shampoo. Use of conditioner is not required as this remedy itself provides sleek and soft hair.
Earth Wash
The earth wash remedy does not only slows the greying process but also cures headaches, sleeplessness, and eye inflammation. The ingredients used for the remedy are earth dug deep within the garden and water.
Directions
The first step is to mix the two ingredients, followed by filtration of the mixture through a sieve or coffee filter. Wash hair with the residue. This remedy shall be used once a week to restore hair color.
Rosemary Powder & Gooseberry
Rosemary powder acts as another natural dye for hair. Result is instantaneous and long-lasting. The two ingredients do not allow hair to turn grey for extended period of time. The ingredients required for this remedy are rosemary powder, gooseberry and water.
Read: Grey Hair Dye – What Should Know Before You Start To Color?
Directions
In a bowl, create a paste by mixing the two ingredients with water. Leave the paste for at least half an hour at room temperature. Apply the paste on the scalp and evenly throughout the hair.
Onion and Lemon Juice
Onion juice is well known for the benefits it provides to hair. It contains all the essential nutrients that are required to nourish hair follicles. When combined with lemon juice, it becomes capable of reducing hair fall, dandruff and getting rid of premature greying. The ingredients include three teaspoons of onion juice and two teaspoon of lemon juice.
Directions
Measure quantities and admix the onion and lemon juice. Apply the mixture to scalp and leave for thirty minutes. Wash hair with lukewarm water. This remedy shall be used for two to three times a week for best result.
Castor Oil
The natural compounds that castor oil contains, fight hair loss, thicken hair, repair split ends boost hair growth and enhance hair color. Castor oil contains Ricinoleic acid (Omega-9 fatty acid) that penetrates through hair follicles.
This acid helps return scalp the optimum pH level and enhances melanin production. Though castor oil is self-sufficient to provide cure to white hair problem, it can produce rapid results when combined with jojoba oil and peppermint oil.
Directions
Take 3 tablespoons of castor oil, 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil and 3 drops of peppermint oil. Massage hair using the mixture for several minutes. Leave it applied onto the hair for twenty minutes and then, wash them with a mild shampoo. For best results, it is recommended to use this treatment 3 to 4 times a week at first and then, once a week as soon as the results start to show.
Must Read:
- Top 9 Oils That Are Good For Forestalling Gray Hair
- Egg Oil: A natural Solution For Hair Treatment
- The Wonders Of Kalonji Oil For Hair Treatment
- Can Cod Liver Oil Reverse Gray Hair?
