Last updated on May 13th, 2020 at 07:51 am
Graying of hair is a natural and inevitable consequence that every individual face after a certain age. But when the same starts at an early age, it is called premature graying of hair. Youth is the most cherished phase in a person’s life and no one wants to look or feel aged in his/her late teens or twenties or early thirties. We today face lot of hair problems with premature graying of hair turning into a common nightmare that has affected thousands of people around us. Many go for hair coloring products to hide the gray hair follicles but these mainly give temporary benefits and often contain chemicals that can be harmful. Obviously, the best alternative is to use the natural ingredients and home remedies to prevent premature graying. And that’s what we are going to discuss in today’s post. We are going to discuss about the causes and how to prevent premature graying of hair using natural ingredients and remedies at home.
Hair contains melanin, the pigment that gives your hair its natural color. This melanin content in hair lessens with age and that’s when our hair turns gray. However, this natural graying phenomenon becomes unnatural when young men and women start growing gray hairs in their youthful age. Sometimes, this unnatural graying of hair can easily drive a person into depression, because of the fear of turning aged even though he/she is chronologically young. So precautions and measures must be taken to prevent premature graying of hair and I am going to help you do that.
I will be sharing you few of my personal favorite tips on how to prevent premature graying of hair. But before that, I would like to draw your attention to the common causes that leads to premature graying of hair. May be by understanding the cause and factors that leads to premature graying of hair, you will be able to tackle the issue in a much efficient and better way.
Causes behind premature graying of hair
In ancient times, we found gray hair on the scalp of only aged people but now even in adolescence or early twenties and thirties, we experience graying of hair. Although, genetics and health issues are said to be the main causes behind premature hair graying, several factors can actually lead to early melanin loss leading to premature graying of hair.
Here are few of the most common factors worth knowing.
- Genetics
- Thyroid
- Vitiligo
- Chronic cold
- Sinusitis
- Hormonal fluctuations
- Vitamin B12 and copper deficiency
- Low serum ferritin and HDL-C levels
- Unhealthy diet
- Anxiety and stress
- Smoking
- Dry, dehydrated hair
- Lack of proper hair nourishment
- Excessive washing of hair using hot water
- Excess usage of hair dryers and hot irons
- Pregnancy
- Anemia
- Tuberous sclerosis
- Neurofibromatosis
- Pollution
Now that you have known the causal factors, let us concentrate on the natural remedies that can be used to prevent premature graying of hair.
Home remedies to prevent premature graying of hair
Gray hair for a young male or female is a nightmare and remedies must be taken to prevent it early. The commercial products are not that good and so it is best to try your hands on the natural remedies that help in preventing premature graying of hair. These are natural and safe and so you can definitely try them out.
Here are the best home remedies that’ll help you to prevent premature graying of hair easily.
Indian gooseberry or “amla” to prevent premature graying of hair
Indian gooseberry or more popularly amla is a great solution for your gray hair issues. It contains various nutrients and antioxidants especially Vitamin C that has anti aging properties. You may eat this fruit directly or use it as a hair mask along with coconut oil to get rid of your premature gray hair as well as enjoy hair loss benefits. As per as the hair pack is concerned, inclusion of the natural conditioner coconut oil makes hair smooth, silky and luscious.
Application
Take some coconut oil in a pan and then boil some dried gooseberry pieces in it. Stop boiling once it is charred. Wait for a while for it to cool and then apply the oil on your hair. You may keep it for one hour and wash it or let it stay nightlong. Repeat this once or twice weekly. Alternatively, almond oil and lemon juice can also be used in place of coconut oil to get similar benefits.
Henna to prevent premature hair graying
This is the most common ingredient to prevent gray hair and I am sure you have tried it at least once in your life. It is an auburn dye that is made from the “Lawsonia inermis” tree. Henna is great and is a natural hair colorant that prevents your gray hairs from appearing. It is widely found in market in powdered form and can be used once weekly or once monthly (depending on the depth of color you prefer) to get rid of your gray locks.
Application
There are various ways to use henna. You may use a mixture of henna leaves, amla powder, coffee powder, and yogurt and apply on your scalp and hair. Let it dry and then wash off with mild shampoo.
Alternatively, you may use henna leaves and coconut oil or mustard oil and then boil them until the henna leaves are charred. After that, massage this oil on your gray hair.
Another option that I personally follow is using hot black coffee along with henna powder. Here you need to mix the two ingredients to get a curd-like texture. Let the mixture sit for few hours and then apply on your hair evenly. Keep it for an hour and then wash with a mild shampoo. Consistent using of henna will give you your desire look with no gray hair on your scalp.
Shikakai to prevent premature graying of hair
You must have heard about this ingredient as it is widely used for cleaning your hair. It is often found in various shampoos to get luscious hair. Ok, so you can use this wonder ingredient for solving your premature gray hair as well. Shikakai contains Vitamin C and it will not just help you get rid of gray hair but also lead to hair growth, prevent hair loss and reduce itchiness, dryness and irritation on scalp. To add on to the nourishment process, add curd with it as well.
Application
Take 4-5 shikakai pods and grind them into smooth powdered form. Then take around ½ cup of curd and whisk it. Mix both the ingredients and apply the solution on your hair. After 20 minutes, wash it with water. Use 2-3 times weekly and enjoy great results.
Curry leaves to prevent premature graying of hair
According to “International Journal of Innovative Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research”, you can prevent premature graying of hair using curry leaves and so you may use it with coconut oil to reap maximum benefits. Curry leaves contains Vitamin B that is efficient in restoring melanin and thus helps you to regain your natural black hair color. The other antioxidants also help in the healing of damaged hair roots as well as prevent hair fall and facilitates hair growth. On the other hand, coconut oil diminishes rough and dull hair problems.
Application
Take a bit of coconut oil around 1 cup and add handful of curry leaves in it. Boil the mixture for a while until the curry leaves turn blackish. After that, cool it down a bit and strain the oil. Massage it on your scalp before going to bed. Let it stay overnight and then wash using a mild shampoo. Use this remedy minimum thrice weekly.
Lemon juice and almond oil mixture
Almond oil has been a great solution for aging skin and hair problems with solving your gray hair issues being no exception. It contains Vitamin E that nourishes the damaged hair and prevents split ends. You can also get rid of your dandruff with almond oil. The other ingredient lemon juice is equally rich in phosphorous, Vitamins B, and C that leads to growth of hair and makes your hair shiny.
Application
Here take around 2 tablespoon of almond oil and 3 tablespoon of lemon juice and mix thoroughly. Apply the mixture on your gray hairs and massage gently. Keep it for half an hour and then wash off with mild shampoo.
Fenugreek and amla pack to prevent graying of hair
The loaded nutrients like Vitamin C has made the Indian gooseberry or amla an ideal ingredient for gray hair but the importance of fenugreek to prevent gray hair problem cannot be denied. Fenugreek contains beneficial antioxidants like potassium, Vitamin C, iron, alkaloids and many others that are efficient to tackle your gray hair issue and give you a smoother shinier hair. Therefore, the mixture of this two is a must try for you.
Application
To get the benefits, you first have to take fenugreek seeds and grind to make powder. Then you can take a bit of coconut oil and boil it with the amla pieces. Add the fenugreek powder. Let it boil slightly more and then remove it. Cool the mixture and apply on your scalp. Leave it nightlong and rinse it the next morning.
This remedy is actually an advanced version of the coconut oil and amla pack, as with fenugreek powder in it, the benefits are doubled. Use it at least 2 times in a week.
Black tea to prevent premature graying of hair
Health benefits of black tea for preventing cancers and heart problems is a well-known fact but do you know it is equally efficient in solving your gray hair problems? Well yes, massaging with black tea gives your hair the natural dark hue and makes it shiny and bouncy. Moreover, the rich content of caffeine and other antioxidants also leads to hair growth and strengthens the hair.
Application
For this, you need to boil black tea around 2 tablespoon along with a pinch of salt, say 1 teaspoon. Let it boil for 2 minutes and then remove from oven. Cool it down and strain the solution. Use this liquid to wash your hair and let it dry naturally. Do not use shampoo while rinsing. Use this remedy 2-3 times on a weekly basis for better results.
Onion juice to prevent premature graying of hair
Onion has been traditionally used for treating many hair problems like hair loss and thinning of hair. But now, it has become a popular remedy for treating premature gray hair as well. This is because according to research, out of all the causes, buildup of hydrogen peroxide in the hair roots and decrease in levels of catalase, an antioxidant compound are significant reasons behind premature graying. Onion stimulates catalase levels and thus restores the natural black color to your hair.
Application
Extract the juice from the onion and apply on your scalp. Massage it and leave it for close to an hour. Wash off with mild shampoo afterwards. Alternatively, those who do not have excessive dry scalp can use lemon juice along with onion juice. Here you simply have to mix the two juices and apply on scalp. Then wash after 30 minutes. This is a better method than the other one. However, use any of the methods four times weekly.
Rosemary and sage to prevent premature graying of hair
Both these ingredients are great for treating various hair problems and you can also use this mixture for your gray hair problems. Rosemary is efficient in preventing hair loss and leads to growth of new hair follicles. It is a cure for pigmentation that helps to reduce the gray hair growth. You can also solve the dandruff and itchy scalp problem using rosemary. Sage, on the other hand, is great for fighting cellulite and its mixture with rosemary makes the paste one of the best remedies to prevent premature graying of hair.
Application
In this remedy, you have to boil ½ cup dried rosemary with ½ cup sage. Continue boiling for half an hour and then after removing keep it aside for 2 hours. Now, take the solution, apply on your gray hair, and leave it to dry naturally. After that, wash using a mild shampoo. Repeat 3 times in a week for good results.
Ribbed gourd to prevent premature graying of hair
The common vegetable ribbed gourd is an essential ingredient for putting an end to your premature gray hair days. This is because the vegetable contains many enzymes, which helps in the restoration of the melanin and thus brings back the natural black shine on your hair. Moreover, it provides nourishment and strengthens your hair roots.
Application
At first, you have to cut ribbed gourd into slices of medium size. Then let them dry in the sun. Soak the pieces in coconut oil for around 3 days. Then boil the oil with gourd pieces in it for 10 minutes and after straining, store in a vessel. Use this oil to massage your scalp 3-4 times weekly before going to sleep and wash off in the next morning.
Buttermilk to prevent premature graying of hair
Buttermilk is rich in lactic acid and great for your hair. It not just properly conditions it but also helps in prevention of gray hair. It makes the hair smooth and easily manageable. You can add the healthy and beneficial curry leaves in it to add on to the good effects.
Application
The remedy is simple. You need to take a handful of curry leaves and crush the leaves to make a smooth paste. Then take around 1/4th cup of buttermilk and add it to the curry leaves paste. Mix the ingredients well and apply your scalp and hair. Let it stay for half an hour and wash using a mild shampoo. Use this remedy two times in a week for great benefits.
Amaranth juice to prevent premature graying of hair
The health benefits of amaranth are not unknown but now you can use this vegetable to gain hair benefits with preventing premature gray hair being a significant one. The leaves of the amaranth are great in increasing melanin content in hair due to the presence of an enzyme in them. Thus with increased melanin, your gray hairs start to disappear and you get back your natural black shine. Amaranth is great for fighting hair loss issues as well.
Application
Take amaranth leaves as per your hair length. Then crush the leaves to extract the juices. Then go to the bathroom and shampoo thoroughly. After that, towel-dry your hair and apply the amaranth juice on your hair and scalp evenly. Massage for 5 minutes and then let it stay for 30 minutes. Then rinse with water. Repeat this process thrice on a weekly basis.
Potato skins to prevent premature graying of hair
Potatoes are not just for cooking but also this common ingredient can be used for prevention of gray hairs. The peels contain starch and are a natural colorant that can gradually turn your gray hairs into black.
Application
For using this remedy, you have to take around 2 cups of water and boil it with 1 cup of potato skins in it. Let it boil for 25 minutes. After that strain the water and let it cool to normal temperature. You may add few drops of your favorite essential oil on it to add to the fragrance. Then do some shampooing and conditioning as you do on normal days. Make sure you are parting your hair into sections while doing it. Then directly pour the potato water into the sections or use a brush to apply it on your scalp. After sometimes, wash with cool water. You can use this remedy every time you shampoo your hair.
Beet and carrot juice to prevent premature graying of hair
If you do not want the usual black and instead want red, orange or golden shades then I think you can go for the beet, carrot or lemon juices individually depending on the color of hair you prefer. Beets give the red shades, carrots for light orange and lemon for golden hue. This will solve your gray hair problem as well give you a whole new look.
Application
At first, decide which color you prefer for your hair. Also, take into account, which looks good on you, and then accordingly extract the juice of that particular ingredient. Then take adequate coconut oil and mix nicely. Apply the solution on your hair and massage it. Let it stay for an hour and rinse with water. Do this 2-3 times weekly.
Essential things to do to prevent premature graying of hair
The remedies mentioned above are very effective to prevent graying hair at an early age but you must also take into account few other dos and don’ts that will further help you in eliminating the problem from the roots.
Here are some other important tips on how to prevent premature graying of hair.
- Nutrients like Vitamin B 12, copper are must haves to prevent premature graying, so have them in adequate quantity.
- Try your best to reduce the stress in your lives. Do relax as much as possible, because no matter which remedy you try, overstress could make it difficult to prevent premature graying.
- Take adequate rest and sleep minimum 6:30 to 7 hours daily.
- You know smoking kills and now you know it is one of the causes behind premature gray hair. So quit it fast for your own good.
- Scalp must be clean as dirty scalp leads to premature graying. So maintain proper hair care routine and wash your hair and scalp regularly.
- The harsh shampoos and conditioners may be harmful so quit them and go for the mild ones, to be more specific the organic and natural ones.
- Dry dehydrated hair is another factor behind premature hair graying and so oil massage is important and must be done on a frequent basis. However, avoid the perfumed oils as they contain too much chemicals.
- Eat as much greens you can and maintain a balanced diet with adequate amounts of all nutrients. Inclusion of berries, almonds, salmon etc in your diet will help immensely in preventing premature graying of hair.
- Chocolates are great for boosting melanin content in your hair and so you can eat them. But remember to eat pure dark chocolates and in moderate quantity.
- Avoid eating refined sugar, soft drinks and other devitalizing foods as they cause lot of health issues with premature hair graying being the significant one.
- Eat adequate butter as it prevents premature graying. You may even apply a bit directly on the hair roots.
- Lot of health issues like thyroid, sinusitis, chronic cold, anemia etc causes premature graying. Therefore, if you are having any of these aliments (check from the list of causes) then you should take proper medical help.
Conclusion
There are innumerable problems which we face in our lives but with little care and caution; you probably can solve most of them. Same is with premature graying of hair where with few natural ingredients like coconut oil, Indian gooseberry, lemon juice, onion juice, ribbed gourds etc, you can prevent the premature graying of hair.
Proper diet is also important as well as proper rest and care. We have already discussed about remedies and what else to do including what to eat and what to avoid to prevent premature graying of hair. Try some of those remedies and, make some necessary lifestyle changes like quit smoking, avoid unhealthy foods, harsh shampoos and oils etc to further prevent premature graying.
Are you a victim of premature graying of hair? Have you tried any of these remedies? If yes, then share your experience and if you know any other remedies that may help prevent premature graying of hair, then feel free to share by commenting below.
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Look Gorgeous. Stay khush!
