Many men and women struggle with premature gray hair. The causes are often linked to stress, a poor diet, vitamin B deficiency, thyroid problems, and smoking. Yet, the number one cause of the condition is genetics.
There are specialized cells at the root of the hair that determines its natural hair color. As the cells begin to die out, the graying process begins.
Going gray prematurely is no different than going gray during the normal aging process. While some people begin to grow gray in their teens or early thirties, some don’t begin to show signs of graying until their senior years. It is all based on the lifespan of those specialized cells, known as melanocytes. Premature gray is known to be present if more than 50% of a person’s hair is white by the age of 40.
While there are many products in the market today that claim to rejuvenate and even reverse the death of the pigment-producing melanocytes, thus reversing the hair’s graying process, these claims have been found to be unsubstantiated and untrue. The truth is that there is simply no proven method to reverse the process of premature graying. The majority of products, even the ones that use Fo-TI (a century old Chinese medicinal herb) and Vitamin B to reverse the process, have been reported as ineffective among the many who suffer from premature gray hair.
With just about every method show to be useless in combating premature gray, the only answer for those who suffer from the condition is to make attempts to cover the graying hair with dyes. Both women and men use various types of hair dye options, including permanent, semi-permanent, and demi-permanent hair colors. For men, it is advisable to use a hair coloring option that creates a gradual change, opting to cover only portions of the gray hair, making the change less drastic and less noticeable. These types of hair dye products are known as progressive hair dyes.
While none of these products will make the dead melanocytes come back to life, they can improve the lives and the appearance of those suffering from premature gray. Unfortunately, they must be used continuously to combat the graying hair.
Although there are many natural hair dyes in the market that claim to effectively cover premature gray hair, they are not as effective as products that use strong chemicals proven to combat gray hair. Unfortunately, the strong chemicals used in these products can pose potential health risks. Many of these products can cause allergic reactions or, if used improperly, can be poisonous. Always test a portion of the hair before use and follow all guidelines and instructions contained on the product packaging.
It may also be a good idea for those who suffer from premature gray hair to consult and hire a professional colorist or hairstylist to cover the gray.
