Premature Graying of Hair – Causes and Remedies

Until a few years ago, we could easily determine the age of people just by looking at them. However, stress, unhealthy lifestyle, food habits, etc. have given rise to a number of diseases and other medical conditions like early development of signs of aging, low immunity and premature graying of hair! Now, even as young as 20 year olds have to worry about how to get rid of gray hair!

It is quite normal for aged to have the notorious salt and pepper look (it's a different story that they too don't like their silver locks!) But for young men and women, this is a nightmare, they can't imagine of stepping out from home with all those gray hair. In fact, graying of hair at a younger age is a serious health disorder that needs an immediate attention.

So, what are the causes for premature graying of hair?

Causes of Premature Graying of Hair 

When it comes to premature graying of hair, the most common reasons are chronic stress and genetics. In women, lack of nutrients and iron deficiency also find place in the list of cause for premature graying of hair. Some of the causes of premature graying of hair include:

• Stress
• Genetics
• Hormonal Imbalance / Hormonal Changes 
• Side effects of some medications 
• Poor nutrition
• Abrupt change in diet that leads to malnutrition
• Poor hair care or lack of hair hygiene 
• Too much toxic accumulation in the body which prevents absorption of nutrients 
• Constipation 
• Using low quality hair colors, dyes and styling equipments too often
• Scalp conditions like dandruff, itchy scalp,  etc. 
• Hypothyroidism

Remember, there cannot be a single reason that leads to premature graying of hair. It is always a combination of various causes that give you white hair when you don't deserve it.

How to identify your cause of graying hair to find the right solution? 

Gray Hair at 25? Take a good look at yourself in a mirror

• Check yourself whether your face shows any aging signs like wrinkles, dark under eye circles or baggy eyes, saggy skin, lack of freshness in the skin (younger skin carries a natural freshness and suppleness) etc. 
• If you have any of these signs of aging along with gray hair strands, be assured that stress, poor food habits, poor lifestyle and inadequate sleep are the major contributors for your premature graying of hair. 

Spotted thinning hair? 

Remember, hair loses its color when it is damaged. The hair strands lose thickness and become thin as well as brittle. If you suddenly develop any sign of excessive hair loss or thinning of hair, be wary that it might be a symptom of your hair roots and follicles becoming weak and damaged. This may also lead to premature graying of hair. 

Frequent  onset of headaches?

If you develop a strange headache as a sudden onset for no reason, it is more likely to be a sign of nutritional deficiency that leads to gray hair. This headache tends to remain constant, with varying intensity of pain. It is common in young women. 

Suffering from sinusitis  or frequent cold?

If you suffer from sinusitis or catch cold frequently, you might grow gray hair or it might be the reason for your gray hair strands. The accumulation of cough and other unfavorable conditions of sinus may affect pigment cells and your hair may turn gray.

Are you exposed to chemicals or toxins?

This is not a common criteria that turns hair gray! However, mostly young men working in factory conditions are at risk of being exposed to toxins and harmful chemicals. 

Did your father too had gray hair early in life?

Unfortunately, most of the young men who fall prey to premature graying of hair, face this situation due to genetics.

Are you a woman going through a lot? 

Women are exposed to developing gray hair at a very young age due to so many reasons. Some of these reasons may include, 

• Hormonal Changes – Irregular menstrual cycle, pregnancy, childbirth, etc. Menopause also leads to hormonal changes but graying of hair at such age is not premature one. 
• Poor nutrition – Lack of iron and Vitamin B 12 leads to hair problems too.
• Hypothyroidism – Low thyroid secretion or underactive thyroid gland has a lot to do with premature graying of hair.

Age definitely matters when you see a few gray strands popping! If you are 40, you know it can be so but when you are still 20, you are kind of shaken when you notice your gray hair. 

Remember, premature graying of hair is not just a cosmetic issue, rather a sign that something is not correct in your body. While you can't do much about genetic factor, you can always treat the other underlying causes to stop graying of hair.

In fact, you can control graying of hair with natural remedies easily. Here are some home remedies to help you get rid of premature graying of hair. 

Home Remedies for Premature Gray Hair 

Changes in your eating habits, lifestyle as well as a proper hair care routine are all recommended to treat premature gray hair and delay graying of hair. 

 

Get Adequate Nutrients to battle Premature Gray Hair 

Blackstrap Molasses – A wonder remedy for premature gray hair

Sometimes you may not know what caused your gray hair! Certainly, you may lack some nutrients in your diet. Especially, women suffer a lot from nutritional deficiencies. Have blackstrap molasses daily to meet your nutritional needs.

Blackstrap molasses is a byproduct of sugarcane. It is extracted during the process of extraction of sugar from sugarcane. While sugar literally has no nutrients, blackstrap molasses are packed with dense nutrients. It is very rich in iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and manganese. 

• Eat one or two teaspoons of blackstrap molasses every day. 
• Within a couple of weeks you can find miraculous transformation in how you look and feel. 
• This is suitable for all, both men and women of all ages. 

If you don’t have access to blackstrap molasses, you can make it at home. 

Things you need: 

• Fresh sugar cane juice (this is easily available)- The juice should be thick and fresh with no additions like lemon or ginger
• Hard bottomed pan / vessel 

How to make it: 

• Heat the pan and add sugarcane juice 
• Keep it over a medium flame for 30 to 45 minutes
• The juice will turn brown or blackish brown and will carry a sweet aroma 
• Remove from flame and let it cool
• Extract the juice and store in an airtight container. 
• Have 1-2 tsp daily

Eat and Drink Copper 

Copper is one of the minerals responsible for your hair color. Drink water stored in a copper vessel overnight. You can escape from copper deficiency and treat gray hair with this simple remedy. You may also use copper utensils to have your food.

Get a lot of iron

Eat a lots of iron rich foods like spinach and dry fruits like apricot and raisin.

Use iron utensils to cook gravies and curries,  especially root vegetables. No iron means uncontrollable hair loss and rapid graying of hair. 

Plantain leaf 

Eat plantain leaf. The leaf contains minerals and phyto-nutrient called chlorophyll (the color green, as you could recall what you studied in your school). It fights off aging signs and keep you younger. One of these manifests in delayed graying of hair.

Hibiscus Tea 

A simple yet most powerful tea to treat premature graying inside out. Hibiscus tea! 

Hibiscus tea isn't a popular home remedy but it is really effective. Hibiscus flower contains antioxidants that are rarely found in other ingredients. It also has trace elements and Phyto-nutrients to meet the nutritional deficiencies. It cleanses your system, improves the quality of blood and enhances blood and oxygen supply. Drink this tea once a day and you will look and feel beautiful! 

Things you need: 

• 3 to 5 red hibiscus flowers 
• 2 cups water 
• 2 teaspoons honey
• ½ teaspoon shredded ginger 
• 1 piece of orange peel (optional, to add more flavor) 

How to make it: 

• Extract the petals of the flowers, chop them or mildly crush them. 
• Boil water and add the flowers. 
• Add ginger and orange peel if using. 
• Let it boil for 3 to 5 minutes. 
• Check the color of the tea, it will change to red
• Filter the tea, add honey and drink it warm! 

Beyond these remedies, you should also ensure that you don’t suffer any hormone deficiency or hormonal fluctuations. 

Good sleep, healthy diet with lots of fresh produce and hygienic practices help you stay younger with no signs of aging such as premature graying of hair! 

De-Stress to Combat the Acceleration of Gray Hair 

An ancient text in Tamil literature mentions a poet who was questioned by a King about how his color remains black at his age of 60 years! His answer was, he had no worries, which made him retain his youth! Yes, stress is one of the major causes of gray hair. Stress impacts the whole body and not only hair. It prevents the secretion of healthy hormones and enzymes. Stress affects the healthy cells and speeds-up the aging process. 

How to reduce stress?

• Move away from the place that makes you stressed
• Take bath and you will find some relief 
• Sip a cup of hot or warm drink. Keep it healthy like herbal tea, soups etc.
• Take a walk for 10 to 15 minutes 
• Eat some dark chocolate 
• Listen to music 
• Meditate

Other Tips to Stop Premature Graying of Hair

• Apply curry leaves and coconut oil mixture
• Eat spirulina every day to get adequate minerals like copper, iron, zinc and folic acid. 
• Eat one piece of amla or the Indian gooseberry daily to get rid of the aging signs, which includes premature graying of hair
• Eat foods rich in antioxidants 
• Avoid using shampoo or use organic or herbal shampoos. 
• Apply henna pack to your hair twice a month for once in two to three months. 
• Get adequate sleep. 
• Take oil bath once a week, if not at least once in 10 days. Apply castor oil the night before. It makes the hair look darker and promotes hair growth. 
• Reduce your coffee consumption. 

Remember, trying a combination of above mentioned remedies for premature graying of hair may help you reverse gray hair too.

Want some more help? Here are a lot more home remedies for gray hair!