Gray hair is one of the natural signs of aging as we age. It is known that the color of hair is determined by melanocytes in the hair follicles. As we age, the number of cells that synthesize melanin, which keeps hair black, decreases, and its function decreases, leading to gray hair. This gray hair usually progresses from the side hair, leading to the crown and back hair, and also appears on the beard, mustache, and eyebrows.
Gray hair that appears with age is not an aging phenomenon that only appears in old age, but can also occur in younger age groups depending on specific causes. Gray hair, which refers to gray hair in relatively young people, is known to be influenced by factors such as family history, as well as factors such as stress, eating habits, diet, and certain diseases. Now, let’s take a look at the causes of gray hair and various information to help prevent it.
Causes of gray hair
Genetic factors such as family history are the first causes of gray hair in young people. It is said that gray hair often occurs around the same time that parents or grandparents’ hair became white. It is said that when you enter your 20s and the production of melanin completely stops, your hair will not be supplied with the pigment and it will take on the protein color, white. However, if you have gray hair at a very young age, it is highly likely that it is related to a specific disease, so it is recommended to see a specialist.
It is also reported to be caused by diabetes, thyroid-related diseases, influenza, malaria, typhus, etc., and various factors such as specific radiation exposure, malnutrition, and anemia also affect the occurrence. It is also known that stress can also be a cause. Although the direct relationship is not yet clear, stress is believed to affect the occurrence of gray hair by constricting the blood vessels of the hair roots that supply nutrients to the hair by secreting adrenaline hormone that disrupts normal blood flow. In addition to smoking, excessive intake of sugar, and insufficient intake of certain nutrients such as vitamin B12, vitamin B6, and vitamin E have also been reported to affect the occurrence.
How to prevent gray hair
1. Limit frequent dyeing
When gray hair occurs, it is dyed to remove it. However, the dye contains more derivatives of aniline pigment than the dye that darkens gray hair, and these pigment derivatives are said to cause damage to the hair and scalp. In addition, since these pigment derivatives affect the normal function of the vestibular cerebellum and act as a cause of tinnitus, dizziness, and hair loss, it is recommended to avoid dyeing too frequently. In addition, frequent scalp massage to improve blood circulation is also said to be beneficial in preventing gray hair.
2. Stress Control
Excessive mental stress is also known to affect the occurrence of gray hair, so it is important to relieve and control severe stress. In addition, it is important to get enough sleep and rest because irregular and insufficient sleep and overwork can also interfere with the normal supply of nutrients to the hair roots. In addition, various chemical substances absorbed into the body through smoking act as the main cause of cell destruction of hair, so it is known that they are closely related to the occurrence of gray hair, so it is recommended to quit smoking. In addition, it is recommended to reduce the amount of drinking too much, as it can also impair the supply of nutrients to the hair roots.
3. Eat foods that help prevent
It is important to consistently consume foods rich in these nutrients as it is known that insufficient intake of certain nutrients such as vitamin B12, vitamin B6, vitamin D, and vitamin E is known to affect the occurrence of gray hair. Also, it is known that eating foods high in protein, zinc, iron, calcium, etc. helps a lot. In addition, it is important to eat foods rich in antioxidants that prevent the aging of hair follicles, and various foods such as black sesame, soybean, tofu, soymilk, and hawthorn are also known to keep the scalp healthy. do.
On the other hand, eating habits centered on meat and frequent consumption of fast food and instant food do not provide sufficient nutrients to the hair and scalp, which is the cause of gray hair. In addition, excessive intake of sugar also lowers the normal metabolic function of various nutrients related to hair health, so it is recommended to reduce intake. In addition, excessive dieting also causes an imbalance in nutrients in the body and promotes the occurrence of gray hair, so it is recommended to refrain from it.
