As we age, we gain wisdom and experience changes in our physical appearance, such as the natural greying of hair. This is a natural part of getting older, much like developing stretch marks, wrinkles, and smile lines. But if you’re not ready to fully embrace your silver strands just yet, there are multiple ways to prevent or slow down the greying process. Today, we’ll share tips on how to reduce the greying of hair.
Is Your Hair Greying Early?
Perhaps the reason you’re not ready yet to embrace the grey is it happens so early. It’s vital to understand the situation before addressing it. Here are some causes of premature greying of hair:
- Genetics: If your parents or grandparents experienced early greying, you’re more likely to as well. Genetics is one of the most common causes of premature greying of hair.
- Nutrient Deficiencies: Lack of essential nutrients like vitamin B12, folic acid, copper, and iron can contribute to premature greying since these nutrients play a key role in your body’s melanin production.
- Smoking: Are you a smoker? The chemicals in cigarette smoke increase oxidative stress and inflammation, which can damage melanocytes or the cells that produce melanin, the pigment that gives your hair & skin its colour.
- Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions like alopecia areata, pernicious anaemia, and vitiligo can cause premature greying by damaging the melanocytes.
- UV Radiation: Excessive sun exposure is never good news for your hair. It can generate free radicals that can lower melanin production & lead to greying.
- Chronic Stress: Too much stress triggers the release of hormones like cortisol, which may deplete the stem cells responsible for regenerating hair pigment.
- Pollution: Like harsh UV rays, environmental pollutants containing heavy metals can generate free radicals that impact melanin production.
How to Reduce Grey Hair
Now that you understand why your hair is greying so early, the next task at hand is to learn how to reverse or reduce your grey hair. Here are some tips that can help you:
1. Manage your stress levels.
As mentioned, chronic stress can deplete the stem cells responsible for regenerating pigment. That’s because when under constant strain, your body produces excess free radicals that can damage hair follicles and deplete melanin production.
So, it is vital to practise stress-relieving activities each day. Whether doing yoga, reading a book, listening to music, or taking a relaxing bath, do whatever makes you feel relaxed, especially after a long, tiring day.
2. Protect your hair from environmental aggressors.
Exposure to UV radiation, pollution, and harsh chemicals can all contribute to premature greying. That’s not to mention they’re bad for your overall health.
How can you protect your hair from these environmental aggressors? Start by wearing a hat or using hair products with UV filters when spending time outdoors. Consider investing in a high-quality hair care routine that includes a UV-protecting hair serum and a gentle, sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner.
3. Try home remedies for hair greying.
Nature has provided us with a bounty of ingredients that can help combat hair greying. Here are some of these ingredients and how to use them properly:
- Amla (Indian Gooseberry): Amla is rich in vitamin C & antioxidants that can help combat oxidative stress, a major cause of premature greying of hair. You can massage amla oil into your scalp, drink amla juice, or use hair masks made with amla powder.
- Black Sesame Seeds: Black sesame seeds are believed to help restore melanin production and darken grey hair. Eat a handful of black sesame seeds twice a week or apply a paste made from them to your hair.
- Curry Leaves: Curry leaves can help boost blood circulation to your scalp and contain nutrients that promote melanin production. Make a paste by crushing curry leaves with yoghurt and applying it to your hair twice a week.
- Ashwagandha and Brahmi: A paste made from ashwagandha and brahmi powders can be used as a hair mask to reduce greying of hair when massaged into the scalp. Drinking ashwagandha tea is also beneficial.
- Bhringraj: Soak bhringraj leaves in oil overnight and apply the oil to your hair and scalp. Bhringraj is believed to prevent and reverse premature greying.
- Hibiscus: The vitamin C, vitamin A, and iron in hibiscus flowers help delay greying of hair. Make a paste with hibiscus flowers & oil to apply to your hair.
- Catalase-Rich Foods: Foods like onions, garlic, almonds, broccoli, and bananas are rich in the enzyme catalase, which breaks down hydrogen peroxide build-up linked to greying. Add these foods to your diet or apply them topically.
While some of these natural remedies for grey hair require more scientific evidence, they’re still worth a try. After all, they are organic ingredients (some are even ancient!) that can benefit not only your hair but also your overall physical wellness.
4. Consider targeted hair treatment.
If you still notice significant greying despite your best efforts, it may be time to explore targeted grey hair treatment. Speak to a trusted hair professional about options like topical hair serums that can help reverse or slow down the greying process and promote healthy hair growth. You can also try these hair care products:
- Anti-Greying Shampoos and Conditioners: Look for shampoos & conditioners containing ingredients like catalase, piperine, amla, bhringraj, and other melanin boosters. These help reduce hydrogen peroxide buildup and stimulate melanin production.
- Hair Serums/Oils with Antioxidants: Hair serums and oils with antioxidant-rich ingredients like amla, coconut, argan, and rosemary can combat oxidative stress while nourishing hair follicles.
- Supplements: Oral supplements containing vitamins B12, C, D, copper, zinc, and folic acid can address nutritional deficiencies linked to premature greying.
- Arcolys-Based Products: Products containing Arcolys (Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora) are known to limit greying and restore natural hair colour.
- Chemical-Free Hair Care: Switch to gentle, sulphate-free shampoos & conditioners without harsh chemicals that can cause hair damage.
Final Thoughts
Hair greying is a natural part of ageing, and there’s no shame in embracing your silver strands when the time is right. However, if you’re not quite ready to go grey, these tips can help you maintain your vibrant locks for a little while longer.
For more insights on hair care, don’t hesitate to check out our blog. And if you’re ready to boost your hair care routine and slow down the greying of your hair, explore our shop today. We have amazing hair care products suitable for you!