Buzz
If you notice a few gray strands, you might want to address this issue before it gets out of hand. The age at which gray hair starts to appear is largely determined by genetics, so there's little you can do to change that. However, lifestyle changes can help maintain your natural hair color for as long as possible before it turns gray. The first gray strand might seem like the beginning of the end, but of course, you don't have to accept gray hair if you don't want to. Like millions of others, you can use hair dye to restore your original hair color.
Steps
Lifestyle Changes to Maintain Hair Color
Ensure adequate vitamin intake. Vitamins, including B12, are essential for the health of your skin and hair. A deficiency in vitamins can lead to premature loss of hair pigment or even hair loss (which can also be due to zinc deficiency), resulting in gray hair or baldness (both of which you likely want to avoid). Vitamins are abundant in animal-based foods like beef, fish, eggs, chicken, as well as in vegetables, fruits, nuts, and dairy products.
- Consider taking a multivitamin if you're concerned about premature graying. While supplements aren't a miracle cure that guarantees hair color retention, they can delay the onset of gray hair.
- Vegans often lack sufficient B12 because it's harder to obtain from non-animal sources. Vegans should pay special attention to their B12 intake, possibly through supplements if necessary. Vegetarians can get B12 from eggs and dairy.
Massage your hair with egg oil. Massage your scalp twice a week with egg oil and leave it overnight. Egg oil contains antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, which slow down premature aging (graying) and can even prevent the early stages of hair turning gray. A tip for overnight hair treatment is to use a plastic sheet to cover your bed. Although slightly inconvenient, this method saves a lot of time when cleaning up.
Quit smoking. Smoking is linked to premature graying before the age of 30. If you smoke and are concerned about gray hair, this is one of the most valid reasons to consider quitting now. If you only smoke occasionally, this habit isn’t hard to break. If you’re a heavy smoker, you might need help to quit. In any case, it’s never too early to start quitting. Smoking in any form is equally harmful.
- Smoking also makes hair dull and brittle. Damaged hair is more prone to falling out compared to healthy hair.
- Smoking causes premature skin aging and can even dull your complexion (in some cases, skin may even turn gray).
- Smoking weakens teeth, causes discoloration, leads to gum disease, damages enamel, and results in early tooth loss.
Take care of your hair to prevent hair loss. While unhealthy hair doesn’t necessarily gray faster than healthy hair, it is more prone to falling out. When it grows back, new hair often has less pigment than the original, especially as you age. Therefore, consider changing your hair care habits to keep your hair healthy and undamaged, preventing hair loss.
- If you bleach, frequently dye, or chemically straighten your hair, it becomes more prone to falling out.
- Hair extensions can cause hair loss, especially if applied incorrectly.
- Daily use of blow dryers, curling irons, or straighteners damages hair, even with heat protectants. It’s best to let your hair air dry naturally.
- Even brushing tangled hair, especially when wet, can cause breakage and hair loss. Use a wide-tooth comb and be gentle.
Try other natural remedies to maintain shiny, healthy hair. While there’s no conclusive research proving that natural supplements can prevent graying, many ingredients popular in India and other regions are believed to delay hair turning gray. If you decide to add natural supplements to your diet, consult a doctor or nutritionist to ensure it’s a healthy choice. Here are some popular options:
- Molasses
- Black sesame seeds
- Chlorophyll supplements
- Nettle leaves
- Seaweed
- Amla (an herb in traditional Indian medicine)
Dispelling myths about gray hair
Don’t stress over stress. One of the most common myths about gray hair is that stress speeds up the graying process. It’s like the age-old saying parents tell their rebellious kids: "You’re giving me gray hair!" The truth is, stress itself doesn’t directly cause hair to turn gray. So, you can stop worrying that your job, family, lack of sleep, or other issues are stealing your natural hair color.
- However, if stress leads to hair loss, that’s a concern because regrown hair may be lighter in color. If you’re that stressed, it’s best to seek help. Consider talking to a therapist, practicing meditation, or exploring other therapies to restore your happiness and health.
Don’t believe that plucking gray hair makes more grow back. This is an old wives’ tale with no factual basis. If a gray strand stands out and bothers you, feel free to pluck it without worrying about more grays appearing.
- First, plucking can damage the hair follicle and prevent regrowth. Second, a plucked gray follicle will always produce gray hair, not your original color. Third, eventually, there will be too many grays to pluck, and you’ll need a better solution.
Forget the fear that dyeing your hair causes graying. If you’ve experimented with various hair colors, you might have heard that dyeing leads to premature graying. However, this is entirely false, so there’s no need to worry. That said, excessive dyeing and bleaching can damage your hair, leading to hair loss and lighter regrowth.
Feel free to let your hair soak up the sun. Sunlight lightens hair but doesn’t turn it gray. Hair naturally loses melanin—the pigment responsible for its color—over time. External factors like sun exposure don’t cause graying.
Caring for your hair as it turns gray
Use temporary cover-up products. When gray roots start to show, you can use powders, gels, or other products to temporarily mask them. Choose a product that matches your hair color. In most cases, you’ll need to apply it to your roots after washing and drying your hair. Rinse it out during your next shampoo.
Opt for permanent hair dye. If you dislike gray hair, you can permanently dye it. Keep in mind that you’ll need to touch up the roots regularly. There are many types of dyes and hundreds of shades to choose from. Do some research beforehand to decide which color suits you best.
- Consider consulting a professional colorist, who is trained to handle gray hair. They can guide you in selecting a product that will leave you satisfied.
- Alternatively, you can save money by using boxed hair dye. Make sure to read online reviews before choosing a product. Look for dyes specifically designed for gray hair.
Embrace it naturally. Many people (both men and women) prefer to let their gray hair grow out naturally. Instead of hiding it, why not take pride in your hair? Gray hair can be just as striking as any other color if styled well, proving to the world that you’re still “in vogue.” Just keep your hair shiny and healthy by using shampoos, conditioners, and products specifically designed for gray or white hair.
Warnings
- Consult your doctor before using herbal supplements.
