Can You Prevent or Reverse Premature Graying Hair?
Written by Dr. Griffin
Studies have shown that more than half of all women and as high as 85 percent of all men will experience some form of hair loss as they get older. There’s no doubt that thinning hair can have a negative impact on self esteem, but another aspect of aging that is less talked about is a change to our natural hair color. As we get older, it’s normal for our hair color to shift—and even people in their teens or 20s may notice a few white hairs from time to time. This is caused by a loss of pigment cells from the hair follicles. The most common underlying triggers for hair graying include vitamin deficiencies, genetics, oxidative stress, real life stressors, smoking, and damage from chemical hair dyes or other hair products. Unfortunately, after it has turned gray, it’s impossible to turn hair back to its previous color. That said, you can still be proactive to prevent overall graying. Our team at Griffin Hair Restoration Center, providing solutions for hair loss at our Philadelphia-area practice, has some tips for preserving the rest of your existing hair color and delaying premature graying.
Get Enough Nutrients
Since graying hair is often linked to vitamin deficiencies, you can combat it by making changes to your diet. Ensure that you’re getting an adequate intake of vitamins and minerals such as calcium, copper, iron, protein (which is turned into keratin), vitamin B-5, vitamin B-6, folic acid, zinc, vitamin B-12, and vitamin D from your diet or supplements.
Stress Management
Although the link between real life stressors and graying of the hair is still being researched, learning about ways to manage stress better may be beneficial. Meditation, deep breathing exercises, daily exercise, and setting aside time for a hobby each week are all ways to lower stress.
Quit Smoking
Along with contributing to numerous other health problems and accelerated aging of the skin, studies have also shown that smoking may cause speed up the loss of pigmentation from hair follicles.
Find out more about preventing premature graying and hair loss from our Philadelphia area-based Griffin Hair Restoration Center team. If you’re interested in finding solutions for thinning hair, call us at (215) 561-9100 or submit a contact form to schedule a consultation.