Quick Answers
Going grey is a natural part of aging for most people. While it’s not possible to completely prevent grey hair, there are steps you can take to potentially slow down the greying process. These include eating a healthy diet rich in antioxidants, avoiding smoking and excess sun exposure, reducing stress, and using anti-greying haircare products. However, greying is primarily genetic so you may still eventually go grey even with these preventative measures.
What Causes Hair to Turn Grey?
Grey hair is caused by a loss of melanin, the pigment that gives hair its color. Melanin is produced by melanocyte cells in the hair follicles. As we age, the melanocytes become less active, produce less melanin, and hair loses its color.
This process is largely determined by genetics. People whose parents or grandparents went grey early are more likely to start greying at a younger age. Ethnicity also plays a role, with Caucasians tending to go grey sooner than Asians or Africans. Gender is a factor too, with men greying earlier and more extensively than women on average.
While genetics are the primary cause, other factors can accelerate greying:
- Oxidative stress – Reactive oxygen species generated by factors like smoking, sun exposure, and pollution can damage melanocytes.
- Inflammation – Conditions like autoimmune disorders, infections, and chronic stress promote inflammation that can deplete melanocyte stem cells.
- Nutrient deficiencies – Low intake of nutrients like vitamin B12, copper, and iron needed for melanin production.
- Hormonal changes – Declining levels of melanocyte-stimulating hormones as we age.
- Medical conditions – Premature greying can be linked to thyroid disorders, vitiligo, and alopecia areata.
Can Greying Be Prevented?
While greying is inevitable for most at some point, the process can potentially be slowed down by:
Eating a Healthy Diet
Make sure your diet provides key nutrients involved in melanin synthesis:
- Copper – Found in seafood, nuts, seeds, beans, potatoes, bran cereals, leafy greens.
- Vitamin B12 – Found in meat, fish, eggs, dairy, fortified cereals.
- Iron – Found in red meat, poultry, seafood, beans, spinach.
- Zinc – Found in seafood, meat, eggs, nuts, seeds, beans, dairy.
- Folate – Found in legumes, dark leafy greens, citrus fruits.
Eat plenty of antioxidant-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and green tea to combat oxidative damage to melanocytes.
Avoid Smoking and Sun Exposure
Smoking causes oxidative stress. Excessive UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds can damage melanocytes and deplete melanin levels. Wear sunscreen when outdoors.
Reduce Stress
Chronic stress promotes inflammation and hormone changes that may accelerate greying. Practice stress management through exercise, meditation, getting enough sleep, and making time for relaxing activities.
Use Anti-Greying Hair Products
Certain natural ingredients may help support melanin production in follicles:
- Biotin – B vitamin that aids amino acid metabolism needed for melanin.
- Catalase – Antioxidant enzyme that protects melanocytes.
- Copper peptides – Aid production of tyrosinase enzyme needed for melanin.
- Fo-Ti – Chinese herb said to help restore hair pigment.
Look for shampoos, conditioners, and serums containing these ingredients.
Medical and Cosmetic Options
While natural preventatives can help slow greying, they cannot completely stop the process. When grey hairs become more extensive, medical or cosmetic options may be considered:
Medications
No medications have been approved to prevent or reverse greying. However, some drugs may potentially help:
- Topical latanoprost – Glaucoma eye drop that may stimulate melanin in hair follicles when applied to the scalp.
- Oral metformin – Anti-diabetic drug found to increase melanogenesis in studies.
- Topical methoxsalen – Used in some cases of vitiligo to stimulate melanocyte growth.
But more research is needed on their effectiveness and safety for greying hair. Consult a dermatologist before trying any unapproved drugs.
Dyes and Colorants
Hair dye is the most common cosmetic option to conceal greying. Permanent chemical dyes penetrate strands and alter melanin, while semi-permanent coats the surface. Try to avoid irritating ingredients like ammonia and bleach. Natural plant-based dyes like henna are gentler alternatives.
Melanocyte Transplants
Surgical transplantation of melanocyte stem cells from pigmented scalp areas to greying areas can restore color. But the procedure is expensive, invasive, and results may fade over several months.
When to See a Doctor
Premature greying before age 30 may require evaluation for an underlying medical condition:
- Thyroid disorders – Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
- Vitiligo – Autoimmune condition causing pigment loss.
- Albinism – Genetic disorder affecting melanin production.
- Malnutrition – Severe deficiency of copper, vitamin B12, or other nutrients.
- Autoimmune diseases – Alopecia areata, pernicious anemia, etc.
Sudden rapid greying can also be a red flag for health issues. See your doctor if you have no family history of premature greying and it occurs quickly over several months. Testing for thyroid, anemia, and autoantibodies may be recommended.
Treating any underlying medical condition may help improve melanin levels and hair color. But greying from aging, genetics, or lifestyle factors is normal and not considered a medical problem.
Coping With Grey Hair
While greying is a natural process, the transition can still be tough for some. Here are tips for embracing your grey locks:
Gradually Transition With Highlights
Get subtle grey lowlights at first to ease into the look, gradually increasing to full grey coverage. This helps avoid a harsh sudden change.
Experiment With Styling Products
Grey hair tends to be coarse and wirey. Try moisture-boosting shampoos, conditioning masks, leave-in treatments, and anti-frizz serums to soften texture and improve manageability.
Change Your Haircut
A sharp modern haircut looks best with grey. Avoid outdated styles and get a cut that flatters and complements your natural hair color.
Enhance Your Complexion
Grey hair can wash some people out. Try coral blushes, peach lipsticks, copper eyeshadows, and other warm tones to prevent looking washed out.
Rock Grey With Confidence
Grey hair is beautiful – embrace it! Having a positive attitude and owning your natural color proudly will ensure you look stylish and chic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you reverse grey hair naturally?
There is no reliable natural remedy proven to reverse grey hair once it has occurred. Products that claim to restore pigment are not supported by strong evidence. However, eating a healthy diet and using anti-greying haircare may help slow further pigment loss.
At what age is grey hair abnormal?
Up to 50% of people start greying by age 50. Greying before age 30 is considered premature and may warrant an evaluation by a doctor for any underlying conditions. However, some people naturally grey in their 20s or even teens based on genetics.
Can stress cause premature greying?
Yes, chronic stress can potentially accelerate greying. Stress elevates cortisol and inflammatory cytokines which can impair melanocyte function and deplete stem cells that produce pigment. Managing stress is important for overall health and may slow the greying process.
Can smoking cause grey hair?
Yes, smoking has been linked to premature greying since it increases oxidative stress. Chemicals in cigarette smoke can damage DNA and mitochondria in melanocytes, reducing melanin output. Quitting smoking can help minimize oxidative damage.
Do highlighted/dyed hair turn grey faster?
Bleaching and dyeing hair does not cause it to go grey faster. However, since grey only occurs in untreated roots, previously colored hair often transitions faster to grey. Roots appear immediately grey while the lengths remain artificially colored until growing out.
The Bottom Line
While greying is inevitable as we age, adopting a healthy lifestyle and diet may offer some protective effects against premature pigment loss. If grey hairs do start to show, cosmetic solutions like hair dye and a flattering haircut can keep your style looking current. Embrace your new salt and pepper locks with grace and confidence!
