Causes and Remedies for Premature Gray Hair

Hair is one of the most personal and noticeable parts of a person’s identity. A person’s hair is not just something that covers his/her head, but it is also an important form of self expression. Women and men tend to be conscious when it comes to how their hair looks because they think it affects how other people view them. This is why people have such a deep concern for their hair, and whenever it doesn’t look right to them, it somehow affects their self-esteem.

One of the problems people have with their hair is the development of premature gray hair. Yes, gray hair is a natural part of the ageing process; however, if it comes too early, many people are bothered by it. I mean, who wouldn’t be bothered by it? In our society, having gray hair is always associated with old age. Therefore, if you are only 25, and you start to notice your hair is turning gray, an immediate thought you could have is that you are getting old. This shouldn’t be the case because there are different reasons why premature gray hair can appear.

Causes of Premature Gray Hair

The most common cause of gray hair appearing at an early age is genetics. It is probably passed on to you by your parents or grandparents. A way to know if your genes are the ones that are causing your gray hair is by asking them when they started having gray hair too. If premature gray hair is in your genes, there’s really nothing you can do to stop it because your body has already stopped producing melanin, an agent that gives your hair’s pigment.

Another cause for premature gray hair is the race or ethnicity. There are studies which show that people from the same race start having gray hair around the same age. Caucasians usually start getting them by their mid-30s. Asians get them by their late-30s, and African-Americans get them by their 40s. Scientists still don’t know exactly why this pattern exists. Also, 50% of people have half a head of gray hair by the time they reach 50.

Certain lifestyle choices also contribute to the graying of hair. Excessive stress, smoking, and poor nutrition may show on your body through your hair and skin. All these somehow reduce the nutrients in your body, especially proteins, amino acids, and Vitamin B12. All these nutrients are important in maintaining your hair’s health, so low levels of such nutrients will definitely affect your hair. In rare cases, gray hair is caused by a medical condition, so check with your doctor if you are worried.

How To Prevent Premature Gray Hair

There are many ways to solve your gray hair problems. If your gray hair bothers you so much, you could opt to cover it with a dye. However, dyeing your hair requires constant maintenance, and it could have long term side effects, so be cautious of that as well. If you don’t have gray hair yet, and you want to avoid getting it at an early age, you could also do several things to prevent it. You could eat healthier meals. Consume food that contains a lot of proteins, Vitamin B12, and other nutrients. You could also quit smoking or choose a healthier lifestyle.

Embrace Your Gray Hair

However, if you really are born to have premature gray hair, just remember that things will be okay and you are still beautiful. In fact, many people are actually quite happy sporting a silver, salt and pepper, or charcoal hair. Don’t let something you cannot reverse make you feel bad about yourself. Instead, embrace your uniqueness, and wear it confidently.

Some people who are still young and have gray hair have learned to turn this condition into something positive. You could also try following their example and learn to love your hair. You could get a bold and modern haircut to amplify your youth. You could try dyeing your hair, and have fun with the colors you could go for. Just remember that beauty does not lie in your hair color. Accept yourself for who you are and what you have. Make the most out of what you have instead of dwelling on something you cannot change.