According to the observations of dermatologists, half of the world’s population at the age of 50 has 50% gray hair. So why does hair turn gray, and is there anything you can do about it? Let’s discuss the newest, fascinating, and important facts about gray hair in this article.
Facts About Gray Hair
Here are some interesting facts about gray hair.
Fact 1: Melanin Is Responsible For Everything
Our hair is naturally transparent. This is because the pigment melanin gives them a bright saturated or deep dark shade. But with age, the amount of pigment produced by the body decreases. And the hair at first simply becomes lighter, then goes into shades of gray and silver, and finally becomes completely white. Thus, all this happens because of melanin.
Facts 2: Alcohol Consumption Is One The Culprit
We all know that alcohol abuse causes dryness of hair as well as the skin, but not many know that it can also turn your hair gray. So no part of your body remains untouched from the harmful impact of alcohol. However, experts believe that gray hair can’t be turned black again, but you can surely stop them from spreading by cutting down on alcohol.
For this, you can seek help from any of the top rehab centers in any State of the US, as there are several top-rated rehabilitation facilities in Arizona, Ohio, and Michigan for those who want help. It is believed that alcoholism treatment can help to put a full stop to your hair problems, provided there is no other health problem.
Fact 3: The Main Thing Is Not Age, But Genetics
Blame your gray hair on busy lifestyles, stressful situations, chronic illness, or stressful work. But in most cases, it’s genes that dictate how early your hair turns gray. If your parents’ hair has become gray by the age of 30, most likely the same will happen to you. So yes, age is not the only thing that can change your hair color.
Fact 4: Improper Nutrition Ages Your Hair
In the course of several studies, it has been found that an unhealthy diet and lack of nutrients are some of the key triggers in premature graying of hair. For example, a study in 2013 published in the Journal of trichology showed that the graying of hair occurs due to the lack of calcium and vitamin D3. While research by Europe, PMC has proven that silver hair represents the body’s unmet needs for copper, zinc, and iron.
Fact 5: Stress Makes Hair Go Gray Faster
Yes, stress can make you go gray but not at once. No matter how stressful the situation is, it is impossible to turn gray in an instant. However, if you are under chronic stress, things can work differently for you. According to research, people under constant stress turn gray 3 times faster.
Fact 6: Smoking Is Dangerous For Hair Beauty
People who smoke are also at risk for early graying of hair. It is no secret that this bad habit not only undermines the health of the body but also accelerates the aging process. A 2013 study published in the Indian Dermatology Online Journal found that smokers were 2.5 times more likely to have gray hair before the age of 30. So in order to prevent such a situation, it is better to give up smoking at the right time.
Fact 7: You Should Not Pull Out Gray Hair
You should not pull out gray hair, and this is not because three gray hairs will grow in place of one gray hair. This is just not true. The reason is different. Pulling the hair out with tweezers can damage the follicle, and then another hair will no longer appear in place of the torn hair. Over time, this can lead to thinning of the hair, which cannot but affect the reflection in the mirror.
Fact 8: Natural Dyes Can Work Wonders
Thin and brittle gray hair does not tolerate permanent and semi-permanent dyes. If you are worried about the condition of your hair after dyeing, consider using natural dyes. For example, henna can give hair a red, brown or black tint. Plus, it works well on gray hair. So from time to time, instead of going for harsh chemicals to change your hair color, try natural dyes.
Fact 9: Cutting Gray Hair Regularly
In order for styling to always look young and beautiful, you need to get all gray hair timely. You should contact your hairdresser at least once every 6-8 weeks. And don’t shorten the length if you don’t want to! According to stylists, structured multi-level haircuts for medium hair are ideal for gray strands.
Fact 10: It’s Not Only Head Hair That Turn Gray
Hair on the chest, pubis, nose and other parts of the human body also turns gray. But there is an interesting pattern! Body hair turns gray at different rates. Therefore, men can have a completely gray beard and brown hair on their heads, untouched by gray hair. This may happen due to genetics or stress, so you better consult your doctor.
Fact 11: Gray Hair Need Special Care
Gray hair differs in texture from normal hair. They are thinner and more brittle because their cuticles are thinner. Therefore, they need additional protection and care. They need to be protected from the damaging effects of chlorinated water, UV radiation, harsh chemicals in hair products, and high temperatures during styling.
Otherwise, they will lose more moisture, become rough, dry, and brittle. For gray hair to look its best, you must pamper them with nutrients and be sure to use good hair products that do not contain harsh chemicals.
Bottom Line
Unfortunately, there is no way to reverse gray hair and return the natural shade of hair. But gray hair can be dyed but to do this, never pull out gray strands; otherwise, you can accidentally damage the hair follicles, which will lead to thinning of the hair. Instead, try to blend the gray hairs into your hairline and make sure to use high-quality hair dyes.