Why Our Hair Goes Gray
With age our natural melanin (the pigment that determines our hair color) production declines causing our hair cells to turn a silvery-gray shade. The rate at which our hair grays is mostly down to genetics but other lifestyle factors like stress, a poor diet, and sleep deprivation can cause premature graying and speed up how fast we develop gray hairs.
1. Gray DNA
Your family history and DNA often determine when your hair will start to go gray, medical experts told Business Insider. Chances are you’ll go gray earlier if your parents or grandparents did.
2. Acute Stress
Stress negatively impacts our physical and mental health and is also very damaging to our skin and hair. Ongoing stress damages the hair follicles and slows pigment production accelerating the graying process.
3. Bad Diet
If you have a high-fat or high-sugar diet you could be lacking in essential vitamins like B12, vitamin D, copper, and iron. Nutrient deficiencies can lead to premature graying.
4. Raging Hormones
Hormonal changes and imbalances, particularly during menopause or if you have thyroid issues accelerate graying hair.
5. Toxic Overload
Oxidative stress from the sun, smoking, stress, pollution, and a poor diet cause an imbalance between free radicals (toxins) and antioxidants. When the body is depleted of antioxidants it ages faster and this causes damage to the hair follicles and triggers premature graying.
6. Chemical Nasties
If you regularly subject your hair to harsh dyes, bleaches, and chemical shampoos, conditioners, and hair treatments like perms and straightening these all cause hair damage and contribute to premature graying.
7. Sun Damage
Excessive exposure to the sun’s harsh UV rays can damage the hair follicles and accelerate the hair’s aging process, speeding up graying.
8. Heat Styling
Frequent use of hair dryers, curling irons, straighteners, and heated styling tools can damage the hair and follicles, leading to premature graying.
9. Overwashing Your Hair
Washing your hair too much can hair can strip it of its natural oils and potentially damage hair follicles, accelerating graying.
10. Alcohol Misuse
Heavy drinking can deplete the body of essential vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants. This contributes to premature aging and a side effect is graying faster.
11. Chronic Illness
Autoimmune disorders and chronic illnesses like vitiligo, alopecia areata, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes can affect pigmentation and lead to an increase in gray hair.
12. Sleep Deprivation
Chronic sleep deprivation, insomnia, and poor-quality sleep can affect your overall health and speed up the graying process.
13. Hydration Levels
Not drinking enough water causes dehydration in the body. This negatively affects every organ and can potentially lead to premature graying.
14. Poor Circulation
A sedentary lifestyle, not getting enough exercise, and physical activity can negatively impact circulation which deteriorates the health of your hair and can cause graying.
15. Psychological Conditions
Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression can throw your hormones out of balance and this can contribute to premature graying.