Why Does Hair Go Grey - And How Do I Embrace It?

Whether you’ve just found your first grey hair on your head or you’re a seasoned salt-and-pepper-haired individual trying to work things out with your silverfox mane, know that grey hair is natural and completely normal. But what causes grey hair, and how does one embrace it? Well, these are two very good questions.

1. Why Does Hair Go Grey? (back to index)

Put simply, grey hair is the result of your hair follicles going on strike and not producing any more melanin for your hair. Think of your follicles as small sacs that line skin cells; hair follicles have pigment cells known as melanin, and these cells give your hair its colour. For one reason or another, at some point in your life your hair follicles will lose pigment, resulting in white hair. Now this can be temporary, depending on the cause, and in some cases it can also be reverted. Let’s find out what are the most common causes behind the greying of your hair.

2. What Causes Grey Hair? (back to index)

Your DNA

Just like wrinkles, marks on your skin, and an annoying little voice in your head that tells you to complain about back pain once a day or so, grey hair is just part of the ageing process. Some people get more greys than others. But grey hair can also happen in younger individuals: this is ultimately down to your genetic code. If one of your parents started getting white hairs at a young age, it is likely that you will as well. On average, by the time you turn 50 years old it is likely that half of your hair has gone silver.

Health Issues And Medications

Certain health conditions can also cause your hair to turn white. For example, Vitamin B12 deficiency, pernicious anaemia and thyroid disorders can cause the premature greying of your tresses. Sometimes, hair growing back from a type of alopecia can also grow back white - however it usually gets repigmented after a while.

Auto-immune Diseases

An autoimmune disease targeting hair follicles and melanin can also cause premature white hair. An auto-immune disease is a health condition that causes the body’s immune system to attack its own cells. In the case of alopecia and vitiligo, the immune system can attack hair and cause loss of pigment.

3. What Causes Grey Hair In Your 20s? (back to index)

Even if you’re particularly young, there are quite a few things that may cause your hair to go grey. Now this can be down to a few reasons that may be out of your control, such as the previously listed health conditions and genetic factors, but there’s also a couple of things that you might be doing without knowing it’s harming your hair follicles.

Stress

Going through a hard time? Your hair is quite sensitive to your general health situation, and this includes mental health as well. Chronic stress presents itself with a few dramatic changes in your life, such as:

• Sleep problems
• Changes in blood pressure
• Anxiety
• Changes in appetite
• Moodiness

Together whis these warning signs, white hairs could also be blamed on stress.

Smoking

In case you didn’t get the memo, smoking cigarettes increases the risk for lung cancer and heart disease. It also makes you age prematurely, causing wrinkles and the loss of tone in your skin. And guess what? The long-term effects can affect the way your hair looks! Smoking constricts blood vessels, which can reduce blood flow to hair follicles and ultimately cause hair loss. Additionally, toxins in cigarettes can damage parts of your body including your hair follicles, causing early white hair.

Vitamin B-12 Deficiency

Going white at an early age? This could be a symptom indicating a vitamin B-12 deficiency. Vitamins are extremely important for one’s health, and B-12 in particular has been proved to play an essential role in the health and beauty of hair and hair follicles.

A vitamin B-12 deficiency is associated with a condition called pernicious anaemia, a condition that causes unhealthy red blood cells - resulting in weakened hair cells and affecting melanin production.

4. Can You Reverse Grey Hair? (back to index)

If the cause of your greying is genetic, don’t fall for dodgy online promises: the process is not reversible. However, in case of nutritional deficiencies and underlying medical conditions, you can gradually slow down - and sometimes even reverse - the process. There are plenty of studies on the process of reversing white hair and restoring hair follicles and melanin production. When it’s not down to ageing, greying can be caused by dietary deficiencies - therefore, implementing the right foods in your regimen can help your follicles to get back on their feet and produce the melanin they struggled with due to an unbalanced diet. Want to know more? Check out our blog about foods to eat for healthy hair.

Calcium

Calcium is often mentioned when talking about the health and strength of bones, but it plays an essential role in healthy muscles and nerves too. Ultimately, calcium is important for your mane too - as it aids the absorption of iron, which is vital for strong, healthy hair, especially in women! Dairy products, such as milk and yoghourt, leafy greens and some fishes are prominent sources of this mineral.

Copper

Copper deficiency can interfere with energy production throughout your body, affecting your blood cells and connective tissues. Blood cells that don’t work properly can lead to unhealthy follicles, therefore to abrupt interruptions of melanin in your tresses. You can find it in peanuts, almonds, and lentils, as well as beef liver, crabmeat, and white mushrooms.

Iron

Iron deficiency is quite the common issue, and luckily - unless it’s part of a bigger issue - it can be resolved quite easily. Iron is extremely important, as it’s essential to generate hemoglobine - the substance that carries oxygen in your blood. No oxygen, no party for your hair follicles. Meat, lentils and dark leafy greens are rich in iron.

Vitamin B-5

Vitamin B-5 is an important nutrient that helps your body generate energy from the foods you eat. It also helps make red blood cells. I think that by now you’re getting the gist of it: happy, healthy blood cells ensure general success for your hair follicles and much more. Fish, beef liver, and yoghourt are all foods rich in vitamin B-5!

5. How To Make Grey Hair Look Good (back to index)

Grey hair has been stigmatised a lot over time, and it received so much hate that people automatically think of hair dye as a regular accessory that becomes part of your new routine as you age. The truth is, there is great beauty in your ageing process - and grey hair is not only normal, but oh so pretty too. If you’d like to give it a chance, you can blend your greys with the rest of your tresses.

Grombre: The Secret To Embrace The Grey

Instagram account Grombre is all about falling in love with the natural iciness of your tresses. Women of every age and ethnicity are showcased whilst embarking on their personal journey: the process of embracing the grey.

A good balayage technique can be used to blend the grey in your mane. Check out these fabulous transformation!

Can You Get Hair Extensions For Grey Hair?

Yes! Yes you can! Remy hair extensions are an accessory on the rise. Many people - therefore many companies - are now way more aware of the importance of an inclusive range of shades and colours. Grey hair is as natural as blonde, red and brunette shades! Grey hair extensions can be used to embrace your silverfox mane and keep you looking glamorous. Ready to make the most of your grey hair? Shop our silver hair extensions range now!

UV Protection

Since white hair lacks pigment, it’s more prone to UV damage. The solution is to keep an eye on your products, making sure you’re now implementing UV protection in your hair care routine. Also, white hair gets discoloured easily! But don’t worry, there’s an easy fix to that. Counteract brassy or dull tones with the aid of toning shampoo and conditioners!

6. Conclusion: (back to index)

Do you have grey hair? Whether your grey is natural or achieved with a tricky bleach job and a love for silver toner, you can make the most of your grey hair with the right care and accessories. Grey hair extensions, toning shampoo and UV protections will help you embrace the grey and keep a fabulous mane!

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