It is normal for our hair to turn grey as we grow older. This occurs because, as we age, we start losing melanin, the pigment in our hair follicles responsible for colour. This makes the hair strands take on a more transparent colour, such as grey, silver or white.

The age at which greying begins is largely determined by genetics, although it averages at about 35 to 40 years for most. However, more and more people are starting to see grey strands sooner. There are many reasons why this may happen. Let’s take a look at the major ones.

What Causes Premature Greying?

1. Dietary Deficiencies

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If you’re concerned about early greying, the first thing to check in on is whether you’re eating a nutrient-rich diet. In particular, make sure you’re getting enough…

• Vitamin B9: Studies have shown that deficiencies of vitamin B9, also known as folic acid or folate, are linked to premature greying. Thankfully, the Indian diet includes lots of vitamin B9-rich foods like lentils and chickpeas, so make sure you are consuming plenty of these.
• Vitamin B12: This vitamin plays a big role when it comes to cell production, and is therefore important for hair. Vegans and vegetarians, in particular, should watch out for vitamin B12 deficiencies, since it is largely found in foods like fish, meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products.
• Vitamin D: Also known as calciferol, vitamin D’s role in calcium absorption and bone health is well known. But did you know that it also has a big impact on your hair? Make sure to include milk, eggs, mushrooms and fatty fish like salmon (also rich in omega 3, which is great for hair) in your diet.
• Protein: Protein is a building block for keratin, deficiency of which can cause hair loss and pigmentation issues. Ensure you are eating your daily recommended portion of protein each day.
• Zinc: Zinc helps the body build protein, so stands to reason that it’s important for hair as well. Foods like red meat and poultry pack in good quantities of zinc, as do beans, nuts, whole grains and dairy products.
• Iron and copper: Both of these nutrients are linked to premature greying. Get your iron from foods like red meat, spinach, whole cereals, etc., and copper from nuts, whole grains, shellfish and others.

2. Stress

There is a commonly held belief that stress causes grey hair. Science has now proven that this is indeed the case.

 A Harvard study has found that when under stress, the nerves in the hair follicles produce something called noradrenaline – a hormone and a neurotransmitter – which causes irreversible damage to the melanin-impacting stem cells located there. This causes any new hair to become grey, and then white.

While stress is a normal part and parcel of modern life, it is important to equip oneself with methods to manage and mitigate it to prevent premature greying. So learn to step away from the pressure and instead, engage in activities that calm and relax you.

3. Smoking

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It’s certainly not new news that smoking is bad for you. Apart from causing a variety of ailments such as cancer, respiratory issues and heart disease, smoking is also responsible for accelerating greying of hair.

This happens because smoking tobacco releases harmful free radicals (unstable atoms) in the body. The free radicals in turn damage the melanin cells responsible for pigmentation in the hair. So if you’ve been looking for another reason to quit smoking, we just gave you a very good one!

4. Other Causes 
  
 Studies have shown a distinct link between thyroid hormones and greying of hair. Thyroid hormones basically tell every cell in the body what to do and at what speed to do it. So if your thyroid gland is functioning poorly, it will affect your hair too. 
  
 Early greying of hair can also happen as a result of autoimmune diseases, such as alopecia or vitiligo, wherein the body’s immune system mistakenly begins attacking the body’s own cells.

Remedies for Premature Greying

But, fear not. With these home remedies, you can prevent and arrest going grey. Take note, it is not possible to reverse grey hair.

Improve Your Diet

To slow down premature greying, it is important to include foods rich in iron, folate, vitamins B9 and B12, calcium, antioxidants, protein, and copper. Have healthy servings of wholefoods, leafy vegetables, dairy products, eggs, soybeans, lentils, dark chocolate and mushrooms in your daily diet.

Ensure your gut is healthy as well. A good intake of probiotic foods helps improve the levels of biotin – which helps synthesise fatty acids and glucose – in your digestive system. This has been found to directly influence the health of your skin and hair.

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Massage with Coconut Oil

Massaging your hair and scalp regularly improves blood circulation on the scalp. Using coconut oil for head massage is said to prevent further greying. Studies also show that applying coconut oil regularly makes your hair appear less grey.

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If you haven’t figured this out by now, coconut oil is the base for most hair masks that prevent grey hair. A few hair masks are:

• 3 tablespoons of coconut oil + 3 teaspoons of lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon of warm coconut oil + 1 teaspoon of warm castor oil + ½ cup of curry leaves paste + 2 teaspoon of amla powder
• 2 tablespoons of heated virgin coconut oil + 1 teaspoon of bhringraj powder

Use Amla Topically & Orally

Amla is rich in antioxidants and also has anti-ageing properties that can help with preventing premature grey hair. Mix 2 teaspoons of amla powder with 3 tablespoons of coconut oil and heat it till it becomes black. Once the mixture cools down a bit, apply on your hair.

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You can also drink a glass of amla juice daily to prevent premature greying. Here is how: Blend the amla fruit in a little amount of water. Once perfectly blended, dilute the concentrate in a glass of water and consume.

Apply Grey Care Oil

Secret’s Grey Care Oil is made from 27 herbal ingredients including neelambari, keshavardhini, water hyssop, henna, guava leaves and coat buttons plant. These ingredients focus on slowing down and preventing further greying of your hair.

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Apply the oil regularly for a longer period of time to see long-lasting results. Other than the arrest of premature greying, it also promotes hair growth, controls dryness and dandruff, repairs lifestyle damage, provides deep nourishment and brings out the natural colour of your hair.

Tell us your hair transformation story on Secret’s IG: @secrethairoil.