Grey hair : causes - worldscience

    MOST COMMON CAUSES OF GREY HAIR

CAUSES OF GREY HAIR:

       Did you know that the average hair growth is 0.3 in a day and 1cm per month.

       Premature greying grey hair is also known as canities. Can have negative effects on the appearance, confidence, self-esteem, social acceptance of the affected individual. Hair pigmentation is one of the  most unique features in human. Ranging from black, brown, blonde to red.

MELANOCYTES:

         The color of human hair is due to the pigment "melanin" produced by melanocytes the same cells which are responsible for the pigmentation of skin.

 There are two main forms of hair pigment. 

                              Eumelanin

                                 Pheomelanin

  EUMELANIN - This is what we see in brunettes and darker haired people.

 PHEOMELANIN - This is what we see in blondes and redheads.

These melanocytes are located in the hair follicle which is basically from where the root of the hair originates. Each hair grows from a single hair follicle. As the strand of the  hair growth, melanocytes inject the pigment (melanin) into cells containing keratin. Keratin is the protein that makes up our hair, skin, nails. Throughout the years, melanocytes continue to inject pigments  into the hair's keratin, giving it colorful hue. With aging, the reduction of melanin production due this hair turns grey and eventually white and this is a natural process. But the problem arises when this reduction in the production of melanin comes early in age due to some other reason. And there is plenty of reasons due to which this can occur. 

                        

1.VITAMIN AND MINERAL DEFICIENCY :

       Deficiency of vitamin B-6,B-12,biotin, vitamin-D, vitamin-E can contribute to premature greying.

       Vitamin B -12 deficiency is one of the most common causes of premature greying hair. It is essential for your metabolism, DNA production, overall energy level.

       Research has found that people experiencing premature greying of hair have vitamin B -12 deficiencies along with folic acid and biotin. These vitamins are essential for hair growth.

       As hair not an essential organ for our body whenever any deficiency of these vitamins occurs the first sign is usually appears in the form of hair thinning or breakage- prone hair. Supplementing these nutrients in patients with premature greying  stops hair loss and also restore the color of the hair.

       Lack of certain minerals has also been found to play a major role in premature greying. Many mineral deficiencies  can also lead to greying of hair like zinc, calcium, copper, and iron deficiency.

       Supplementation with these trace elements might reverse and progress of greying of hair.

2.GENETICS:

      There are many reasons people experience greying of hair but a lot of times it simply comes does to natural aging and genetics. this means that  it just happens because it is in your family gene. Researchers have found a gene k/a IRFA on chromosome no 6 that is associated with premature greying of hair.

       Experts believe there are many genetics as well as an environmental factor involved in these aging pathway. Genetically  driven graying hair can't be reversed.

3.STRESS :

     Stress is a very important reason why hair turns grey especially prematurely. Stress causes the activation of the sympathetic nervous system and this leads to the release of hormones like cortisol, non-adrenaline .

     The overproduction of non-adrenaline hormone depletes the stem cells of melanocytes  in a hair follicle. when melanocytes number decrease the pigmentation of hair also decreases and this leads to greying of hair. Try to manage your stress by including practices like meditation, yoga, exercise in your daily routine.

4.SMOKING :

      Smoking has been consistently been linked to premature greying of hair. Indian dermatology journal published a study of more than 200 people in which they concluded that smokers were 2.5time more likely to experience premature greying of hair than non smoker .

      The free radicals produced by smoking can damage the melanocytes that produce melanin.

5.THYROID DISORDER : 

       Thyroid disorder especially hypothyroidism is a very common reason of greying for hair in females. Hypothyroidism can be associated with telogen effluvium, along with  the  presentation of dry, brittle  dull hair shafts. Hair shafts of patients with thyroid disorder also show substantially reduced tensile strength.

6.CHEMICAL HAIR DYES :

       Chemical hair dyes and hair products can contribute to premature greying of hair. Many of these products contain harmful ingredients that decrease melanin production and can lead to greying of hair. Use hair dye which does not contains harmful chemicals that damage the hair.

7.SUN DAMAGE :       

     Too much sun exposure can turn your hair brittle,  dry and can lead to premature greying. The sun produced UV- A   and UV-B rays which negatively affect your scalp. This damage can result in premature greying of hair. The sun has a tends to lighten hair color. Because our hair is dead skin beyond the scalp, the active melanocytes in the hair follicle don't defend the hair shaft exposed to the sun. So the hair is forced to fend for itself, thereby becoming bleached and damaged.