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When people age, it is normal for the color of hair to change. But the problem of white hair can appear at any time in life. People in their 20s and teenagers may see strands of white hair. White and gray hair both are the result of the hair losing its pigment. In this post, we, TrueRemedies, have put together some of the causes of white hair at an early age and natural remedies to reduce it. Scroll down!
- Top 8 effective solutions for white hair at an early age
- Top 21 proven remedies for hair fall control & regrowth
7 Leading Causes Of White Hair At An Early Age And Its Treatment
I. Causes Of White Hair
Besides age, there can be lots of causes that result in hair turning white of a person. Here are common factors that contribute to white hair at an early age.
1. Genetics
According to a 2013 report, premature gray hair of a person is mainly connected to genetics[1]. If you see white hair at an early age, it is likely that your parents and grandparents also had white or graying hair at an early age.
2. Chemical Hair Products And Hair Dyes
Chemical hair products and hair dyes, shampoos, can cause premature greying. Most of these products consist of harmful ingredients that reduce melanin. Hydrogen peroxide found in lots of hair dyes is one of such harmful chemicals. Overuse of products will eventually cause hair to turn white.
3. Oxidative Stress
Oxidative stress may play a part as the process of graying occurs prematurely[2]. Oxidative stress contributes to imbalances when antioxidants aren’t enough to prevent the free radical damage, leading to aging and disease. Plus, too much oxidative stress may encourage the development of ailments such as the skin-pigment condition vitiligo. Due to the loss of cell function or melanin cell death, vitiligo may turn the hair white.
4. Lack Of Vitamin
Any lack of vitamins B6, B12, E, D, and biotin can contribute to white hair. According to a 2015 study published in the journal Development, a deficiency of vitamin D3, B12 and copper is connected to graying hair. White hair at a young age can indicate a vitamin B12 deficiency. A deficiency can also make hair cells weak and affect melanin production. This vitamin helps to give you energy and enhance hair color and healthy hair growth.
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5. Smoking
A 2013 study showed that there is a remarkable associated between cigarette smoking and premature hair graying[3]. As we know, smoking cigarettes will increase the risk of developing heart disease and lung cancer. Smoking also constricts blood vessels that can decrease the flow of blood to hair follicles and lead to hair loss. In addition to this, toxins in cigarettes can damage your hair follicles, which in turn cause early white hair.
6. Thyroid Disorder
Changes in hormone levels caused due to thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism may result in premature white hair[4]. The thyroid can help control lots of bodily functions such as metabolism. Your thyroid health may also influence your hair’s color. An underactive or overactive thyroid may cause the body to release less melanin.
7. Certain Medical Conditions
A few medical conditions, including autoimmune disease, may increase the risk of a person for graying early. A study shows that there is a connection between thyroid dysfunction and hair abnormalities. White hair is common in alopecia areata that leads to hair loss on the face, scalp, and other parts of your body. The hair tends to be white because of melanin deficiency when it grows back.
II. Simple But Effective Ways To Reduce White Hair
We have compiled a list of nine wonderful remedies that can help you reduce white hair naturally.
1. Black Tea
How Does It Work
Black tea is touted as an amazing hair care ingredient. It exhibits antioxidants and helps prevent the growth of white hair. Along with that, it is useful for darkening hair color and adding shine to your hair.
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- Black tea – two tablespoons
- Water – 1 cup
How To Do
Mix the black tea with water and bring it to a boil. Set it aside to cool and strain the liquid once cool. Start applying it to the hair and scalp while massaging for several minutes. Keep it on for 60 minutes before washing with the help of mild sulfate-free shampoo and follow it up with conditioner. Reapply it two to three times per week.
2. Curry Leaves
How Does It Work
Curry leaves are perfect for restoring the melanin pigment in the hair follicles[5]. The vitamin B present in it is an important pigmentation and hair growth vitamin.
Get These
- Curry leaves – 1 handful
- Coconut oil – three tablespoons
How To Do
Make an oil solution by boiling the leaves with the coconut oil and leave the oil aside to cool. Strain this oil when it has cooled. Gently massage it into the scalp for fifteen minutes and let it work on for an additional half an hour. Wash it off with a mild shampoo and apply conditioner. Try this method 2 to 3 times a week.
3. Fenugreek Seeds
How Does It Work
Fenugreek is a chock-full of nutrients such as lysine, potassium, iron, and vitamin C, which may help inhibit premature white hair, encourage hair growth and prevent scalp issues such as dandruff.
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- Fenugreek seeds – two tablespoons
- Water – ¼ cup
How To Do
Pick up the fenugreek seeds and soak them in water overnight. Grind these seeds with sufficient water to obtain a smooth, consistent paste in the morning. Apply the paste you’re your scalp and hair and let it sit on for around 45 minutes before washing with shampoo. Reapply it 1-2 times a week.
4. Sage Leaves
How Does It Work
Sage leaves may help keep your hair from graying because they are a natural color preservative. Sage also contains natural pigments which are ideal for staining the grey hair naturally. It is also full of antioxidants that aid in preventing and reducing the formation of new grey hair.
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- Sage leaves – 1 bunch
- Water – 1 cup
How To Do
You add the sage leaves to water and boil it. Allow the concoction to cool. Take a spray bottle and collect the liquid in it. Spritz your hair and keep the tea on for roughly two hours. Use a mild shampoo to wash your hair and finish with conditioner. Follow this treatment 2 to 3 times a week.
5. Ridge Gourd
How Does It Work
Ridge gourd helps to restore hair pigment and stimulate the roots of the hair[6]. Massage ridge gourd oil regularly can inhibit hair from turning white.
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- Chopped & dried ridge gourd – ½ cup
- Coconut oil – 1 cup
How To Do
Take an air-tight jar and soak the ridge gourd and coconut oil in it for around four days. Take about two tablespoons of the oil after four days and heat it until it’s slightly warm. Start massaging this warm oil into your scalp and hair for 15 minutes and wait for an additional 25 to 30 minutes. Wash your hair with shampoo and condition it. For best effects, use this remedy thrice a week.
6. Amla Or Indian Gooseberry Powder Or Oil
How Does It Work
Gooseberry helps to provide your dark hair with a lustrous shine because it functions as a hair tonic[7]. Besides, vitamin C found in it is an antioxidant that contains anti-aging benefits and helps to revitalize the pigment in the hair follicles.
Get These
- Dried Indian gooseberry – 3 to 4
- Coconut oil – 1 cup
How To Do
Prepare an oil solution by boiling the dried amla with the coconut oil. Store the oil in a jar and for each use, take around two tablespoons. Massage it into your scalp for 15 minutes and leave it on for additionally 25 minutes. Lastly, wash your hair with a mild shampoo and condition it. Try using this way 2 to 4 times per week.
7. Onion Juice
How Does It Work
Onion juice has been proven to decrease hair fall[8]. Apart from that, it is ideal for reserving graying and improving the health of the hair.
Get These
- Olive oil – one tablespoon
- Medium-sized onion – 1
How To Do
Take the onion and chop it into small pieces. Blend these pieces with the olive oil and remove the juice from the pulp with cheesecloth. Start applying the juice to your scalp while massaging for around ten minutes. Keep the juice on for an additional 35 minutes before washing your hair with shampoo. Try this treatment twice a week.
8. Lemon Juice And Coconut Oil
How Does It Work
Lemon is abundant in the mineral phosphorus and contains vitamins B and C. These are important for maintaining the pigment cells in the hair follicles. Coconut oil is beneficial for providing your hair follicles with nourishment to produce pigmented, healthy hair[9].
Get These
- Coconut oil – two tablespoons
- Lemon juice – two teaspoons
How To Do
Mix the coconut oil and lemon juice well and heat the mixture for several seconds. Massage it into your scalp and after half an hour, wash your hair with the help of a mild shampoo. For best results, reapply it twice a week.
Read more: Lemon juice is also beneficial for cleansing your colon. This article was medically reviewed/fact checked by Sarah Brewer MSc, MA (Cantab), MB, BChir, RNutr, MBANT, CNHC.
9. Castor Oil & Mustard Oil
How Does It Work
Mustard oil is a powerhouse of calcium, iron, selenium, magnesium, and zinc, all of which help to keep your scalp nourished. Castor oil is high in protein that works well on repairing and preventing damage. This oil blend is useful for improving hair health and facilitating hair growth.
Get These
- Castor oil – one tablespoon
- Mustard oil – two tablespoons
How To Do
Just combine the above oils and heat them for several seconds until they are warm. Apply this warm oil to the hair and scalp and massage for about ten minutes. Leave the oil to remain on for 40 minutes. Use shampoo to wash your hair and condition it. Repeat this process 2-3 times per week.
Using any of the above remedies may help you slow and reverse greying of hair and hair fall. They may work slowly, but you will see remarkable effects with patience. Have you used any of these solutions for white hair? Share with us your experience in the comments box below. For other informative articles, visit our main News & Facts page.
