What causes premature greying of hair?

There are two major reasons for premature greying of hair – genetics and nutritional deficiency. Dr Radhika Raheja, Dermatologist and Hair Transplant Surgeon, Radical Skin and Hair Clinic, Faridabad, tells FIT , "People who have hair greying in their 40s or 50s, their kids might start greying as early as in their 20s." This means that with each generation, people are likely to get grey hair at a younger and younger age. The other major cause is nutritional deficiency – vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron, zinc, copper – or lower than normal levels of haemoglobin or thyroid. Physical and emotional stress can also accelerate greying. Dr Seema Oberoi Lall, Consultant, Dermatology, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, explains,

Can premature hair greying be treated?

According to Dr Raheja, whenever a patient comes in complaining of early greying of hair, the doctor’s first task is running basic tests to determine if it’s genetic or caused by nutritional deficiency.

Do desi nuske or home remedies work?

Not entirely. Dr Raheja explains that since early greying usually happens due to nutritional deficiencies and genetics, external remedies like homemade hair masks or gels can only do so much.

Can we do anything to prevent early greying?

Unless you have a genetic disposition, there are ways you can prevent premature greying of your hair. Dr Lall suggests: Get on a proper diet. Follow a daily routine. Have a good exercise regime. Avoid stress, if you can. Use sunscreen for your scalp. Don’t colour your hair with artificial colours, try to only use natural colours.

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Youngsters Are Normalising Premature Grey Hair, but Why Has It Become So Common?

Over the past few years, more and more young people have been experiencing the greying of their hair prematurely.

FIT

Published: 18 Jun 2024, 9:20 AM IST

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"I discovered my first grey hair last year, when I was 27. It troubled me way more than I thought it would,"Amyra (name changed on request), a 28-year-old from Delhi, tells FIT.

The one strand of hair, she says, plunged her into existential dreat at the thought, 'I am getting old'. But speaking to her friends about it completely changed how she felt about her newfound grey hair.

Almost all of them had discovered a grey strand of hair at some point, and almost none of them were particularly perturbed by it.

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Youngsters Are Normalising Premature Grey Hair, but Why Has It Become So Common?

Over the past few years, more and more young people have been experiencing the greying of their hair prematurely.

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Topics: Health Haircare