10 Incredible Facts About Premature Graying

So you’re hardly in the mid-twenties and there are strands of gray already showing up in your crown? You seem to be eating right and taking good care of your tresses but nothing seems to work and your hair are still turning gray much before time. Welcome to the club because there are millions across the globe who share your woes.

Premature graying is perhaps one of the most common issue plaguing young men and women today. While you may seek medical help or check out with your stylist for a solution, getting your facts right is equally important. Here are some surprising facts about premature graying that you should know to handle the problem with a better perspective.

#1 -Gray Hair Is “Different” Hair

You will be surprised to know that gray hair is structurally different because it does not have melanin as the natural-colored hair do. Melanin is the pigment that is responsible for imparting the hair its natural color. Loss of this pigment not only results in graying but also changes the texture and feel of hair. You can actually notice that gray strands are thinner, coarser and less manageable as compared to their pigmented counterparts. This means that you have to handle them with a different care and nourishment regimen.

#2 - Blame It on Your Lifestyle

Lifestyle factors such as poor nutrition, exposure to harsh sunlight and environmental pollution, smoking and stress could be to blame for premature graying. Stress, in particular, has emerged as the biggest culprit for premature aging symptoms, including wrinkles, blemishes and hair graying. Long term exposure to stress leads the body to go into fight-or-flight mode which damages the DNA consistently and leads to a host of problems including loss of hair pigmentation.

#3 - Lifestyle Changes Can Stop Graying

Positive lifestyle changes can stop premature graying before it causes havoc. First things first, you have to work on alleviating stress and quit smoking as well. These are the factors that are responsible for oxidative damage which is primarily responsible for aging the body before time. Furthermore, you need to understand and fill in the nutritional gaps by eating healthy to retain the color and luster of your crowning glory.

#4 - Fish, Walnuts, and Zinc Are the Best Foods for Hair

Speaking about eating healthy, there are certain foods that are specifically beneficial for countering the problem of premature graying. Fish make an excellent option because of the high omega-3 content.  Other foods that contain these hair-friendly fats are seeds and leafy greens such as broccoli and kale. These foods also offer a hefty supply of zinc, a nutrient that keeps your hair healthy and black. Walnuts are recommended for premature graying because they are a good source of copper which supports hair pigmentation naturally.

#5 - It Could Be Your Genes as Well

When you notice the first grays appearing, look to your family to check out when your mom or dad had their first tryst with them. Holly Moore from SVHairRegeneres.com explains that some women’s hair starts to gray in their early thirties. Going back to their genetics, it has been found that either or both of their parents experienced graying at around the same age. The reason is that genetics are linked closely to the condition and this has been scientifically proved as well.

#6 - Vitamin B-Supplements Can Help

If you are genetically inclined towards premature graying, it is better to be prepared. While eating the right kind of foods is recommended, supplementation can give you a head start. Opt for vitamin B supplements as they can prepare your body to deal with the early grays effectively. Essentially, chicken is high in vitamin B6 and B12, but vegetarians need to rely on the supplemental form of these vitamins to make up.

#7 - Heat Treatment and Styling Can Cause Graying

Another fact about hair graying that you may not probably know is that excessive heat treatment and styling can be responsible for it. Exposure of hair roots and follicles to excess heat can damage them from within and even deprive them of pigmentation. So if you are habitual to heat styling, change the habit before it gets too late. Let your hair relax and avoid using these techniques on a regular basis. Use them only on special occasions.

#8 - Dyeing Is Not the Right Approach

When you notice those first strands, dyeing might seem like the only option you have. But like heat styling, use of excessive chemicals can accelerate the graying process. A better approach would be to look for natural alternatives such as henna and gooseberry to retain the color of your hair. Alternatively, you can look for products that cover the grays without being high in hair-damaging chemicals. Try a hairstyle that does not emphasize the grays.

#9 -Sun Protection Is Important 

A surprising gray hair fact is that you need to get sun protection to retain its natural color for longer. Scientific studies have indicated that the ultraviolet rays of the sun are capable of melting the cortex, which makes hair brittle and susceptible to graying. If you want to protect your tresses from turning gray before age, make sun protection a routine. Cover your hair with a scarf before stepping out. You can also use a sun protection product as an extra precaution.

#10 - Plucking out Gray's Does Not Make Any Difference

It is often said that plucking out grays will increase the problem, but it does not make any difference to the pace of graying. However, pulling out hair from the root can damage it structurally and make it weak and brittle. In any case, the hair strand will re-grow from the root and it will still be gray due to the basic loss of pigmentation.

These surprising premature graying facts may probably change your perspective towards the problem of gray hair and make you handle it in a different way. The best approach would be to check with a dermatologist or stylist and seek professional advice on handling the problem. Also, make sure that you eat healthy and do not stress over just a few strands of gray!