Premature greying: What's turning your hair grey so soon?

Causes of premature greying: A deficiency in Vitamin B12 may lead to premature greying of hair (Image: Canva)

Hair, beyond being an aesthetic tool, is also a sign of health. The greying of hair may be a sign of old age, but premature greying of hair can indicate an underlying disease.

Grey hair, also known as canities or achromotrichia, appears as we age, and it can be different for people of diverse backgrounds. Genetic and environmental factors play a considerable role in the greying of hair by influencing hair follicle stem cells along with melanocytes (which produce the pigment melanin). Such changes in hair follicles can alter the hair fibre, reduce melanin production, and slow the hair growth cycle.

The reason grey hair looks white is because the light makes the (yellow) keratin seem white when it bounces off it or goes through it. Grey hair still has a bit of colour because of tiny specks called melanosomes, but white hair has none of these specks and no colour at all. White hair usually only shows up on the head. Also, grey hair can feel rougher, stiffer, and more challenging to control compared to darker hair.

Underlying causes for premature greying of hair include obesity, smoking, intense stress and a deficiency of crucial vitamins like B12 and nutrients, especially in vegetarians and adults.

Vitamin B12 deficiency: A deficiency in Vitamin B12 may lead to premature greying of hair. Research studies suggest that a significant 55 percent of individuals diagnosed with pernicious anaemia experienced loss of natural hair colour before reaching the age of 50. Furthermore, insufficient levels of thyroid hormones can precipitate premature greying, hair loss, and alterations in hair texture. These hormones, namely T3 and T4, exert a direct influence on hair follicles to stimulate melanin production, thereby contributing to natural hair colour.

Drug-related triggers: Specific chemotherapeutic medications and antimalarials can result in premature greying of hair (PGH). It is believed that these drugs operate by inhibiting the receptor tyrosine kinase c-kit, which is present in melanocytes, thus curtailing the production of melanin responsible for hair pigmentation. Additionally, chloroquine has a selective impact on reducing pheomelanin production, though the precise mechanism behind this effect remains a mystery.

Smoking: Multiple studies have shown that smoking can be a potential cause of early-onset achromotrichia, a condition characterised by premature grey hair. These investigations revealed an association between smoking and the untimely greying of hair. One possible reason for this link is that smoking can harm the cells in your hair follicles by creating harmful substances called reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Nutritional imbalances: Deficiencies in essential nutrients can contribute to premature greying of hair. Protein insufficiency can weaken hair structure due to inadequate building blocks. At the same time, copper deficiency hampers melanin production, resulting in hair losing its colour. Additionally, iron deficiency, causing anaemia, reduces oxygen flow to hair follicles, disrupting melanin production and leading to premature greying.

Some home remedies like using sesame seeds, amla, and curry leaves may be used to treat premature greying. Oils containing elements like coconut oil and Bhringraj may be applied to the hair and kept overnight. Massaging hair with clarified butter (ghee) twice a week can also be helpful. Consuming a balanced diet with enough vitamins and minerals is also recommended.