The hair follicle of human is an interesting structure, and much remains to be learned about hair growth and its anatomy. However, the hair follicle can be divided into 3 regions: the upper segment (infundibulum), the middle segment (isthmus), and the lower segment (bulb and suprabulb). The upper segment extends from the entrance of the sebaceous gland duct to the follicular orifice. The middle segment is a short section that extends from the insertion of the erector pili muscle to the entrance of the sebaceous gland duct. The lower segment extends from the base of the follicle to the insertion of the erector pili muscle (also known as the arrector pili muscle).
What are the possible causes of gray hair?
- Aging or growing older
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Hereditary
- Hypothyroidism
- Stress
- Vitiligo
- Albinism
- Smoking
- Neurofibromatosis
- Tuberous sclerosis
- Pernicious Anemia
- Malnutrition
- Tobacco
- Werner Syndrome
- Improper care of hair
- Pollution
What are the best vitamins helps in stopping premature gray hair?
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin that is indispensable for the RBC production as well as the premium functioning of the central nervous system. This vitamin can be easily gotten from several foods; though, it is absorbed only by the body as a result of the digestion process. Several health conditions and aging are general problems that stop the absorption of this essential nutrient. Graying of hair is a common symptom associated with deficiency of this vitamin. It is advisable that you try multivitamin supplements to provide your body with enough vitamin B12 if you are a vegetarian; it is because vitamin B12 is found mostly in non-vegetarian foods such as eggs, meat, fish, and chicken. To prevent gray hair, you are recommended to take 2.5-3.0 mcg of this vitamin each day. By eating 30 grams of sardines or drinking two cups of milk, you can easily meet this required amount.
Vitamin B5
Vitamin B5 is a vitamin that is not only considered effective in preventing hair fall but also useful for gray hair. Vitamin B5 can be easily found in several foods such as milk, legumes, vegetables, wheat, and eggs. You can also take vitamin supplements to meet your daily needs of vitamin B5. It was observed that deficiency of vitamin B5 results in the development of gray hair due to a research study performed on rats, which make researchers believe that vitamin B5 deficiency has the same effect on human beings. You should seek advice from your physician concerning the suitable dosage before taking vitamin B5 to prevent gray hair.
Vitamin B9
Vitamin B9, which is also known as folic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that helps you in preventing gray hair. Along with vitamin B12 and C, these vitamins help in utilizing proteins inside the body. Folic acid is also required for producing deoxyribonucleic acid and red blood cells. However, gray hair may develop as a result of the deficiency of this vitamin; therefore, it is important to take this vitamin to prevent gray hair, say the health experts.
Vitamin C and E
In preventing gray hair, vitamin C and E are very useful. This is because both these vitamins have antioxidant properties, which stop effectively free radical activity. Free radicals play a major role in causing damage inside the body and accelerate the process of aging. Therefore, consuming these antioxidant vitamins help in slowing down the process of aging. You are advised to eat foods such as leafy greens, whole grains, peach, legumes, citrus fruits, kiwi fruit, banana, cabbage, cauliflower, and mango to meet your daily needs of vitamin C and E. Avoid consuming alcohol since it prevents absorption and eliminates these vitamins from the body.
Onion Juice: it is believed that onion juice is a cool home remedy for helping in premature graying and thinning hair. In recent, researchers found that gray hair is caused by a decrease in a natural antioxidant compound (catalase) and a buildup of hydrogen peroxide at the base of the hair follicles. Onion juice boosts the production of this compound. What you need to do is applying onion juice on your scalp, massage it, and leave it on for at least 30 minutes to an hour. You should repeat the method daily for a few weeks.
Black Tea: black tea helps soften your hair, as well as darken it and add shine to your hair. You just boil 2 teaspoons of black tea in a cup of water and1 teaspoon of salt, and then allow it to cool. Rinse your hair well with this liquid a few times and let it sit for about 15 to 20 minutes. Just wash your hair with cold water but do not use shampoo. Repeat the process once or twice a week to get the best result.
Shampoo with Coconut Oil: many users do not know that the shampoo can sometimes add coconut oil to make a liquid for stopping graying of hair. Nowadays, some young adults seem to look older than their ages. This is because they have gray hair and dry hair. Too much dry hair can lead to hair breaking and dry. Therefore, the hair starts graying very easy. Then they should go for coconut based shampoo for their uses. Coconut oil binds the protein of your hair and goes deep into the scalp, unlike other oil. In turn, it retains moisture and strengthens the fiber content and delayed whitening of hair. The coconut oil has some great restorative properties that prevent premature graying of hair and also gray hair into the blackish tone. It also prevents dandruff that makes hair even much healthier.
Dye your hair with coffee: Coffee is one of the general natural ways of coloring hair. Even though it does not give permanent results, it also gives benefits to your hair by supplying it with beneficial nutrients and strengthening it. This is the simplest way of boosting your hair color and offering it a dark brown. Make strong coffee preferably espresso and allow it to cool down. Then pour this coffee over your head while in the shower and massage it from the roots to the tip of your hair. You can cover your head with a plastic shower cap for at least 30 minutes and rinse it off with cool water. You can practice this method two times per week until you achieve the desired shade of brown.
Lemon Juice and Coconut Oil Remedy: slash the risks of gray hair faster with these available ingredients at homes such as lemon juice and coconut oil. Coconut oil is an essential oil for maintaining hair at a premium level with its conditioning benefits and nourishing. Most importantly, this natural oil helps you to strengthen the hair, prevent gray hair and stops hair fall too. Lemon juice helps to maintain the natural color of the hair by building healthy color pigments of the hair follicle. You can try this simple remedy to stop gray hair into the desired natural color of the hair. You can heat the coconut oil to a lukewarm temperature and remove the coconut oil from heat. You can add lemon juice and stir well. Now you can apply this lemon juice and warm coconut oil liquid all over the scalp and hair. Let the liquid sit on the hair for at least 15 to 30 minutes. Then, rinse well the liquid with water and then with a shampoo. This process must be repeated two times weekly for preventing naturally gray hair.
Ginger and Milk Remedy: today, decreasing the risk of gray hair is one of the most frequently asked questions by youngsters. One simple answer to this common concern is this amazing ginger and milk home remedy, which treats this issue at the onset stage itself. Ginger is a good source of phosphorous, magnesium, vitamins and potassium. These properties help prevent further hair damage and even boost the natural color of the hair as well. Milk is a natural moisturizing agent, which prevents environmental damage to the hair and deeply nourishes the hair. Now try this remedy to be amazed at the results to effectively prevent gray hair. You just peel the ginger skin and finely grate it. And then add this grated ginger to milk and mix it well to form a thick paste-like consistency. Apply this ginger and milk mixture all over the hair liberally. Now, cover the hair with a shower cap. Leave this mixture on your hair for about 10 to 15 minutes. Then rinse off the mixture with cold water. You can repeat this once per week for one month for noticing a significant reduction to reverse gray hair.
Almond Oil and Sesame Seed Remedy: The home remedies are the best alternative to chemical hair colors. Home remedies do not just cure gray hair, but even helps to prevent graying of hair. One of the potential treatments is this Sesame seed and almond oil remedy. Sesame seeds contain a good source of magnesium and calcium, which nourishes the hair follicle and delays premature graying of hair. Almond oil possesses many hair beneficial properties, proteins, vitamin E, antioxidants and essential nutrients, which helps to prevent gray hair. Firstly, add sesame seeds into a blending jar and grind sesame seeds until it turns into a powder like consistency. Then heat the almond oil to a lukewarm temperature. Next, add sesame seeds powder into the lukewarm almond oil. Mix it well and apply this solution all over the hair liberally.
After applying this solution massage the hair gently in circular motions so that oil can penetrate into the hair follicle better. Leave on this oil application for 25 to 30 minutes as a cure to get rid of gray hair. Then wash off this solution thoroughly with plain water and if required follow up with shampoo. This process must be repeated thrice a week every night for naturally enhancing the dark color of the hair.
Mustard Oil and Basil Leaves Remedy: this home remedy includes mustard oil and basil leaves, which is very effective to prevent and treat premature gray hair as well. Basil leaves are known to be extremely beneficial for stimulating the hair follicles and producing healthy hair too. Mustard oil contains calcium, vitamin A, magnesium, iron, and other essential fatty acids. These properties encourage healthy pigment cells of the hair for naturally darker colored hair and even promote hair growth. Choose this effective remedy to prevent and control graying of hair naturally. Firstly grind basil leaves in a mortar and pestle until it forms a smooth paste. Then pour the basil paste on a muslin cloth and extract the juice out of the basil paste. Later mix this freshly extracted basil juice into mustard oil. Mix well and apply this solution to hair and scalp. Work the oil into the hair by massaging the scalp gently in circular motions. Leave on the oil application overnight for best results to get rid of gray hair. This process must be repeated twice a week for preventing graying of hair and enhancing the natural dark pigment of the hair.
What are the preventive methods for premature graying of hair?
- Give space to iron and vitamin rich diet in your meal.
- Keep your scalp clean.
- Avoid smoking.
- Ease stress.
- Avoid caffeine, junk food, and alcohol.
- Do exercise.
- Never comb your wet hair.
- Never wash hair with hot water.
- Do not tie your wet hair. Let them dry first.
- Do not use hair products, which contain harsh chemicals.
- Use mild shampoos and conditioners.
- Properly moisturize your strands.
- Massage the scalp of hair with fingertips to induce blood flow.
- Cover your hair with a scarf or hat while going out.
- Wear shower caps while swimming as the chlorine mixed in public pools can damage your hair.
Additional sources: MedScape, WebMD, Mayo Clinic, Health.com
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