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The truth is that white hair is something that all of us have to deal with at some point in our lives. Some are lucky enough to find silver strands of hair pretty late in life, while many start seeing those pesky white hair peppered around their natural hair colour, threatening to overtake them. Sure, you can make it a game and pluck them out one by one, or you can get down the rabbit hole of Google and Web MD to self-diagnose the reason behind your going grey. A lot of the time, the quality of your hair has a lot to do with your genetics or medical conditions or hormonal changes you’ve gone through in the recent past. A lot of the time, it’s simply the process of ageing that is catching up to you. But some things are in your control that are possibly causing your hair to turn white. Here are five external causes of white hair and premature greying and how you can deal with them.
A clean and healthy scalp is the cornerstone to having luscious locks of hair. The way you treat yours can have a direct connection to the colour of your hair. Even doing the bare minimum is good enough. Wash your hair pretty regularly, especially if you live in a city that is humid and sticky. Use a shampoo for your hair wash that is specific to your hair type and do not skip on conditioner. Keep an eye on the ingredient list when buying your hair products to make sure that it doesn't contain unnecessary chemicals or perfumes that can lead to hair fall. Buy products that are gentle and can enhance the overall health of your hair.
If you’re worried about premature greying, you have to put out that cigarette. Many studies have suggested that smoking can be a potential cause of early onset of achromotrichia, a condition that is characterised by a premature change in hair colour. Giving up smoking is a tough habit to kick, but it can help not just the colour, but also the quality of your hair in the long run.
You may have heard this quite a few times but it’s the honest truth: what you put in your body has a direct impact on your appearance, whether it’s skin or hair. If your diet is erratic, or you end up ordering in burgers and pizzas regularly, there is going to be a lack of nutrients, certain vitamins and minerals, that when consumed can affect the health of your hair. A diet which is rich in vitamins E, C, B-complex, iron, and zinc can help protect hair follicles from going grey early on in your life.
Speaking of stress, a 2023 study conducted at Columbia University found that while on vacation, grey hair may revert to its original colour, which suggests a link between stress and grey hair. But that’s easier said than done, especially when we live in times that are competitive and constantly changing. Stress is an active part of everyone’s life. But the key here is to identify what causes you stress and how you can control it. Does a meeting stress you out at work? Then plan for it in advance so that you aren’t taking a cloud of stress with you during the days leading up to the meeting. Does planning a trip stress you out? Then take the help of your partner or your friend to figure out the itinerary. If it’s chronic, then try speaking to a therapist who can help you deal with stress.
Your environment is also one of the biggest contributors to those pesky strands of hair you see on your head. Here’s the science behind it: the environment can contribute to greying of your hair through oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in your body. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells, including those responsible for hair colour. And what contributes to this imbalance? Air pollution, chemical exposure, tobacco smoke around you, and of course, ultraviolet rays of the sun. Covering your hair under a cap or a hat can be a way to avoid its exposure to the outer elements, but make sure to live in a locality or travel to places that offer cleaner air. Trust us, fresh air works wonders not just for your hair, but also for your skin.