Hair can turn gray prematurely due to stress, know the reasons behind it and ways to prevent it…

Lifestyle Desk – Nowadays graying of hair at an early age is becoming a common problem. While earlier gray hair was considered a sign of increasing age, now this problem is being seen even in people of 20 to 30 years of age. In such a situation, the question often arises whether mental stress can cause premature graying of hair? According to experts, there is not just one reason behind this, but many factors together can affect the natural color of hair. Let us know about it in detail.

How is hair color decided?

The natural color of hair is determined by a pigment called melanin. This pigment is made by special cells present in the hair roots. When these cells stop producing melanin in sufficient quantities or their function starts getting affected, the hair gradually loses its natural color and starts appearing white or grey.

Can hair turn gray due to stress?

A relationship has been seen between stress and hair health. Prolonged mental stress can cause many biological changes in the body. During stress, the level of stress hormones increases in the body, which can affect the hair roots and pigment producing cells. Constant stress can reduce the number of melanin producing cells, causing premature graying of hair. However, its effect is not the same in every person and stress alone cannot be considered the only reason.

Other reasons for premature graying of hair

Genetic reasons – If parents or close relatives in the family have had gray hair at an early age, then the possibility of this may increase in the next generation as well.

Nutritional deficiency – Deficiency of nutrients like Vitamin B12, Iron, Folic Acid, Zinc and Copper in the body can affect the health of hair and cause premature graying of hair.

Smoking – Many researches have found a link between smoking and premature graying of hair. The harmful elements present in cigarettes increase oxidative stress in the body, due to which hair cells can be affected.

Health issues – Thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases and certain hormonal imbalances can also cause premature graying of hair.

What to do to maintain hair health?

1. Eat a balanced and nutritious diet, which contains adequate amounts of vitamins, minerals and proteins.
2. To reduce stress, include yoga, meditation and regular exercise in your daily routine.
3. Get enough sleep, because good sleep is essential for body repair and healthy functioning of cells.
4. Maintain distance from smoking and other harmful habits.
5. Limit excessive chemical treatments and use of hot tools in hair.