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Early graying

Why do gray hairs appear early and how can they be avoided?

Human aging manifests itself in many forms. The body changes its appearance as cell division decreases and metabolism changes over the years. One of the most common signs of aging is the loss of hair pigmentation, which leads to the famous gray hair, and although there is such a fashion, most people are not happy about it.

Early graying

Why do gray hairs appear early and how can they be avoided?

Human aging manifests itself in many forms. The body changes its appearance as cell division decreases and metabolism changes over the years. One of the most common signs of aging is the loss of hair pigmentation, which leads to the famous gray hair, and although there is such a fashion, most people are not happy about it.

Causes of premature hair graying

Why do early gray hairs appear?

Graying is a natural process, but sometimes it can happen at an early age. Why are there some people who go gray even at a young age? BEARBEARD has looked into this issue, so now you can find out why gray hairs appear early and how to avoid them.
There are people who are genetically more prone to graying than others or have gray hairs appear earlier. Usually, the first gray hairs appear between the 20s and 30s, and then they become more abundant over time until most of the scalp is covered with gray hairs.

However, if gray hairs appear earlier, at the ages mentioned above, they are considered early gray hairs. Some of the causes of premature graying may be:

  • Lack of B vitamins and vitamin D3 can reduce the production of melanin, which is responsible for hair pigmentation.
  • Stress can also be a decisive factor, as it can negatively affect the stem cells of hair follicles. In fact, there is an undeniable link between stress and premature graying.
  • Smoking can also exacerbate this problem, as well as cause other hair conditions such as baldness.
  • Medical conditions such as heart problems, anemia, or thyroid problems can also be associated with premature graying.
  • Genetics. There are people who have a genetic predisposition to premature graying.

By following a suitable, healthy lifestyle, we can prevent many causes of graying.

PHASE 1

0%
gray hair

PHASE 2

5-25%
gray hairs appear on the sides of the head and in facial hair

PHASE 3

25-50%
hair and facial hairs start to turn gray more and more noticeably

PHASE 4

50-75%
hair and facial hair are almost white

How to avoid premature graying?

Many people who are going gray early are looking for solutions on how to prevent or reduce the appearance of gray hair. Below are some suggestions on how to avoid premature graying. The effectiveness of these solutions always depends on what is causing the premature graying.

  • Consume vitamins
    Follow a diet including foods that are high in vitamins B12, B5 and B1. This will help maintain hair health and prevent premature graying. These vitamins play an important role in the production of melanin. Some vitamin-rich foods are seeds, fish, offal, egg yolks, beets, and carrots.
  • Check your iron intake
    Iron promotes the formation of melanin and helps protect the hair. If you have an iron deficiency, your hair can become weak. The absorption of iron improves the production of red blood cells and prevents anemia, which can be one of the causes of premature graying. Foods rich in iron include fish, seafood, corn, green leafy vegetables, beef, and seeds.
  • Use onion enzymes
    Raw onions contain the catalase enzyme, which helps protect hair follicles (it’s interesting that onions are good for hair follicles, isn’t it?) and thus reduces hair color fading. You can use it in two ways: rub your hair with a halved onion or spray the juice on your hair roots, then rinse your hair thoroughly after half an hour.
  • Stop smoking
    Smoking accelerates premature graying, especially in smokers under 40. The toxins in tobacco damage the hair and contribute to hair loss.
  • Protect your hair from the sun
    Using caps and hats protects your hair from the sun’s rays, which contribute to premature graying.

A healthy lifestyle can therefore help a lot in prevention.

The most important question

Can graying be reversed?

Graying cannot be reversed if it is due to aging or genetics. This is because the melanocytes in the hair follicles die naturally. However, if the causes of graying are stress, lack of nutrition or a health problem, the process can be reversed by increasing the production of pigment.

The solution

hair loss preparations for men

What is the best way to prevent/stop hair loss and graying?
One of the most effective ways to prevent or reverse graying is to ensure that your body is getting enough essential nutrients.

BEARBEARD has already found a solution to gray hair
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Do you have a question? We have the answer.

What causes premature graying?

In addition to aging, the causes of gray hair include genetics, a stressful lifestyle, lack of nutrients in the body, and health problems. These are factors that affect how melanocytes work and can cause a reduction in pigment production, thus causing premature graying.

Is it normal to go gray at age 25?

The appearance of your first gray hair on your head can be quite a shock, especially if you are only in your 20s. However, expert Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones says some strands are completely normal, even for men in their late 20s and early 30s. However, stress, genetics, and other factors can also play a role.

What does catalase enzyme do to hair?

The catalase enzyme is of great importance in the fight against gray hair. Catalase is an enzyme that converts hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. In terms of long-term preservation of the natural color of our hair, it is therefore very important, because hydrogen peroxide causes the formation of gray hair.

Can premature graying be a sign of a health condition?

In some cases, premature graying can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. For example, vitiligo, an autoimmune disease that causes loss of skin and hair pigmentation, can lead to premature graying. It has been observed that thyroid diseases and pernicious anemia can also be related to the appearance of premature graying.

Is premature graying different from gray hairs that occur naturally over time?

Premature graying is different from graying due to natural aging. While graying with aging is associated with a decrease in the production of melanin in the hair, premature graying can occur for various reasons, such as genetics, stress, certain diseases, lack of nutrients in the body, or the use of substances that are harmful to the hair.

Can I dye my hair to hide premature gray hair?

Dyeing our hair can be a solution to eliminate premature graying, however, it should be taken into account that there may be some risks of frequent hair dyeing, such as scalp irritation, allergic reaction to the chemicals in the dye, and hair loss. Also, some hair dyes may contain ammonia and hydrogen peroxide, which can damage hair and cause earlier graying. If you decide to dye your hair, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and choose a mild, ammonia-free dye to minimize risks.