Causes of graying hair in men

The appearance of gray hair at a young age is a common problem that leads to decreased self-esteem and difficulty communicating with the opposite sex. If gray hair appears at the age of 30 in men, the reason for this may be the adverse effects of external or internal factors that provoke the cessation of the natural production of melanin, the pigment responsible for hair color.

Diseases

Early gray hair in men can appear due to the presence of various diseases that lead to disruptions in the body. These include:

1. pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
2. disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine glands;
3. incorrect functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
4. thyroid diseases;
5. diseases of the nervous system;
6. malignant diseases;
7. shingles;
8. avitaminosis;
9. anemia.

Another reason why the hair on the head turns gray at the age of 30 may be:

1. taking medications for Parkinson's disease;
2. use of anticancer medications;
3. long-term use of chloramphenicol.

All these diseases and potent medications provoke the death of melanocyte cells that produce melanin. The remnants of this pigment, after its production ceases, are washed away, and the strands acquire a silvery-white hue.

Lifestyle and unhealthy diet

The appearance of gray hair before the age of 30 can be caused by poor nutrition and poor lifestyle. If the diet does not contain enough vitamins and microelements, which are necessary for normal hair growth and development, then due to their lack, early gray hair may appear, and if there is a deficiency of nutrients, the strands become brittle, lose their shine and silkiness.

Regular lack of sleep has a negative impact on the condition of the hair, which leads to disruption of melanin synthesis, resulting in discoloration of the scalp. In addition, the early appearance of gray strands provokes nicotine abuse. Chronic smoking increases the risk of developing hypoxia, leading to the death of cells that synthesize pigment and the leaching of the latter.

Stress

Stressful conditions and neuroses are often the cause of early graying. Due to experiences, the hair color becomes lighter, first at the temples, and then throughout the head. This occurs due to disruption of the processes of melanin production. Stress causes damage to the central nervous system, resulting in a reflex spasm of the blood vessels that feed melanocytes. Free radicals formed in the body due to negative emotions also interfere with the latter. They form an excess amount of hydrogen peroxide molecules in the hair follicle, which reduce the activity of melanin.

Genetics and race

Genetic predisposition is one of the main reasons for early gray hair in guys. If the immune systems of children and parents are similar, then the processes of pigment loss will proceed in approximately the same way, i.e., gray hair in a child may appear at the same age as in one of the close relatives. Genetically determined gray strands at a young age arise due to the natural decline of melanocytes. This programmed process occurs gradually and evenly.

Race can also contribute to gray hair. Most often, this problem occurs in people of the Caucasian race. This is due to the fact that the body of Caucasians initially contains less pigment.

Ways to solve the problem

You can get rid of gray hair only if it is symptomatic. If you cure the disease that causes the appearance of gray strands, the melanocytes will work again and begin to supply the hair with pigment. If gray hair is genetically determined, then it can only be disguised with the help of various coloring agents: henna, tinting shampoos, high-quality permanent dyes that do not contain aggressive components.

Among the most effective ways to solve the problem are:

1. Nutrition control. To slow down the process of graying, you need to add fresh produce, food rich in protein and healthy fats to your daily menu. You should avoid eating fast food.
2. Rejection of bad habits. It is required to limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages and stop smoking.
3. Avoiding stressful situations. You should remain calm, protect yourself from stress as much as possible and protect your nervous system. If it is difficult to do this on your own, it is recommended to seek help from a psychologist.
4. Protection from external factors. You must wear a hat in winter and hot summer.
5. Massage. Massaging the scalp improves blood movement through the vessels, as a result of which the hair follicles receive more nutrients, and the cells that synthesize pigment do not lose their activity for a longer time. It is advisable to perform a head massage every day in the evening. When carrying out the procedure, you can use coconut, clove or gooseberry oil, which should be rubbed with massaging movements into the scalp.
6. Complete rest. You need to sleep at least 8 hours a day.

In addition, the use of medicinal preparations in the form of shampoos, masks, lotions, and sprays is recommended. Among the most effective anti-gray products are those that contain phytopigments. They help restore hair follicles and gradually darken hair. List of quality products:

1. Lotion Grecian 2000.
2. Spray Stopsedin.
3. Antiselverin or Antisedin.
4. Lotion Reparex.
5. Shampoo TianDe Master Herb.
6. Shampoo Color Obsessed So Silver.

The action of these drugs is based on the forced introduction of pigment into the dead part of the hair. They act gently without destroying the structure. To improve the condition of hair and prevent early gray hair, it is necessary to consume vitamin and mineral complexes 2 times a year. Good drugs are Selmevit, Pentovit, Melan Plus. Vitamin B12, zinc and iodine are also beneficial for hair.

Some men have gray hair that looks very sexy. But in general, silver strands in a hairstyle are perceived as a sign of old age. Therefore, in modern society, where the cult of youth reigns, they try to disguise gray hair. Let's find out today why over time hair turning gray, at what age does this happen and can this process be slowed down?

What causes hair on a man's head to turn gray?

If you find gray hair, don’t be alarmed. This is a common phenomenon that affects every person. Early gray hair does not mean that you are aging faster than your peers. According to statistics, hair turns gray at about 40 years of age, but a small amount of it is detected much earlier. Age-related changes depend on certain factors.

Graying is a gradual process. Don't be afraid that one day you will wake up with a completely white head. When can we expect the first gray hair to appear? You can find out the answer to this question by looking at your parents.

Smokers go gray faster

The onset and intensity of graying are determined primarily by genetic factors. There are also other reasons that affect the rate of hair color loss. If gray strands appeared much earlier than those of the mother and father, the cause may be smoking. In people with this bad habit, graying occurs due to the action of nicotine, which reduces the production of melanin. The substance is responsible for pigmentation, including hair color

Gray hair hides illness

Premature gray hair appears due to certain diseases:

1. dysfunction of the thyroid gland: hypothyroidism, autoimmune thyroiditis;
2. Iron-deficiency anemia;
3. Werner's syndrome;
4. vitiligo;
5. atherosclerosis;
6. gastritis with low acidity.

Under the influence of internal disorders, pigment loss occurs, which is why the hair on the head and body turns gray.

Skin color plays a big role

The question of when and how quickly a person will begin to turn gray will be answered by race. People with white skin lose pigment first. They start turning gray at the age of 35. People of Asian descent may see the first signs of aging in their hair at age 40.

Men go gray earlier than women

You can’t escape from gray hair; sooner or later it will catch up with everyone, with the exception of those who are completely bald. In particular, representatives of the stronger sex. Expert studies have shown that among different genders of the same age, men have much more gray hair.

Is it possible to go gray from stress?

Stress, disrupted routine, negative lifestyle factors have a detrimental effect on the condition of the hair. Of course, direct emotional overload will not change the pigment from black to white overnight, but it can speed up the graying process if there is a hereditary predisposition.

The hair on your head turns gray earlier

The first gray hair may appear on the head, but not on other parts of the body. This is because hair on the chest, arms and legs turns gray much later. They may not turn gray at all over time.

Gray hair doesn't mean old age

Most people associate gray hair with old age and old age. Thus, men or women with white heads look old at first glance, although this is not always the case. It is known that the first gray hair can appear as early as 30 years old.

Read also:

1. Types of hardware facial rejuvenation
2. Anti-aging facial injections

Gray hair occurs in young men

Is it possible to stop graying and how to do it?

Most people would like to avoid gray hair. So the question arises: is this possible?

The rate of hair graying is determined by genetic factors. Humanity has not yet learned to slow down or stop the process. If the hair has lost color due to illness, pigmentation may be restored after some time.

There is also speculation that drinking coffee may slightly slow down the graying process of hair. But the effect of caffeine on pigmentation has not been scientifically proven.

Does plucking solve the problem of gray hair?

There is a myth that in place of one torn gray hair, two new ones appear at once. Unfortunately, nothing like that happens. After pulling out the shaft, its follicle remains, from which the next hair grows. If the process of pigment loss has not yet started, then the new hair shaft growing as a replacement will not necessarily be gray. But you shouldn’t overuse removing whitened strands with tweezers in order to completely get rid of faded hair. Frequent plucking can damage the follicles. Then not a single hair will grow in the place of the removed fragment. After all, your own gray hair is better than a wig or bald spot on your head.

Cosmetologists recommend focusing on careful hair care in the battle against gray hair. To maintain color for a long time, it is also important to lead a healthy lifestyle. It is necessary to fight against unfavorable external factors, eliminate health problems in a timely manner, and organize proper nutrition. You should add vitamins to your diet that strengthen your hair. In addition, to slow down age-related changes, it is important to be able to cope with stress.

Gray hair appears in most people who have crossed a certain age limit. People most often notice their first gray hair at the age of 30-35 years, and then their number gradually increases over time.

However, premature graying is a common problem for many men and women who do not want to look older than their years, but suddenly find themselves with individual white hairs or even entire strands. A similar nuisance can happen both to those who often visit doctors and to absolutely healthy people.

Why do some people go gray and start dyeing their hair at 20, while others don’t have any worries until they are 50? If gray hair appears early, is there anything that can be done?

From the day a person discovers a few gray hairs, it can take more than 10 years before gray hair becomes predominant. Therefore, you can try to stop or at least slow down this process.

But first, it’s worth understanding how gray hair differs from “young” hair and where it comes from.

What is gray hair?

Eumelanin and pheomelanin

Melanocytes produce eumelanin, which is responsible for the black or dark brown color, and pheomelanin, which determines the reddish-yellow color.

In a certain proportion, these pigments color keratin, the main protein that makes up hair. Dark or light hair color depends on how much melanin each hair follicle receives. In turn, the volume and combination of different types of melanin are mainly determined by our genes. Thus, we get the widest range of natural shades: golden, light brown, reddish, chestnut, black.

Melanocytes begin to work before we are born, and their function gradually regresses over the years. Typically, their activity decreases by 10-20% every 10 years after age 30. As graying progresses, the melanocytes die off until they disappear completely, and then all the hair grows colorless, that is, gray.

Hydrogen peroxide

In 2009, scientists in Europe discovered another factor that causes hair to discolor with age. They found that hair follicles produce some amount of hydrogen peroxide. As any teenager knows, this substance is widely used to artificially whiten hair.

This substance is usually broken down by the enzyme catalase. But as a person ages, catalase production becomes less efficient. As a result, hydrogen peroxide accumulates, and it turns out that it whitens the hair from the inside, as if the owner had dyed it with bleaching dye.

Why does gray hair appear? (7 reasons)

There are many factors that can change hair pigmentation. Scientists divide them into internal (genetic characteristics, hormones, metabolism, age) and external (ecology, various adverse effects).

Very often, heredity is a predisposing factor. This means that most people will start to experience gray hair around the same age as their parents and grandparents. By the way, statistics show that representatives of different races turn gray at different times. The fastest are Caucasoids, then Mongoloids, and last of all are Negroids. It is noteworthy that those with red hair, on average, acquire gray hair earlier than anyone else.

Stress and psychological problems can also cause early graying of hair. According to research, people who suffer from anxiety and stress for a long period of time can expect gray hair to appear early. Depression and sadness can have a detrimental effect on health in general and reduce melanin production in particular.

It is noted that the early appearance of gray hair is more common in people who suffer from chronic sinusitis and colds.

Using hot water to wash your hair can disrupt the mechanism of pigment formation and cause graying.

Smoking also affects the age at which gray hair appears. The harmful substances that a smoker receives reduce the level of oxygen in the blood and the cells “starve”, including melanocytes.

Problems with the thyroid gland can cause hair discoloration.

A diet lacking vitamins can cause premature graying. The lack of certain vitamins, iron, copper, iodine in the daily diet is considered a significant factor.

How to eat to avoid going gray?

Lifestyle and diet are key factors in maintaining health and youth, but most of us buy food without thinking about its usefulness or making an attempt to maintain the right balance of vitamins and minerals.

Meanwhile, any product contains a certain set of substances, each of which performs its own function and its deficiency can cause certain disorders. Including hair loss and bleaching.

6 Minerals That Help Prevent Early Gray Hair

1. Calcium. Milk and any dairy products are a good source of calcium.
2. Chromium. Wheat bread, wine, and oysters are sources of chromium.
3. Copper. Green vegetables, eggs, chicken, mushrooms and beans, almonds and pumpkin seeds contain large amounts of copper.
4. Iodine. If you have problems with the thyroid gland, products containing iodine will help with hair loss and premature graying of hair. These are garlic, persimmon, black currant, sea fish.
5. Zinc. Mushrooms, oysters, whole grains and egg yolks are the main sources of zinc.
6. Iron. Beef, buckwheat, eggs, apples, seaweed, legumes and cocoa will help avoid iron deficiency in the body.

Groups of vitamins vital for hair

1. Beta carotene Known as an antioxidant, it helps the scalp stay healthy and also ensures proper sebum production. Vegetables, carrots, cabbage, spinach, fish, liver are the main sources of it.
2. Vitamins C, E and B vitamins (B3, B5, B6, B7, B12) promote active blood circulation in the scalp.
3. Vitamin Inositol considered very important for hair follicles. It is found in the highest concentration in prunes, melon, and kiwi. It is present in some quantities in seeds (legumes, cereals, nuts), as well as milk and meat.

These substances are critical for preventing premature graying, as well as maintaining healthy hair. If you lead a healthy lifestyle and include enough vitamins and minerals in your diet every day, your hair will be healthy and shiny.

What to do to avoid going gray?

In addition to age-related skin changes and other annoying but inevitable side effects of the wisdom that comes with age, we are also faced with graying hair. But there are anti-aging serums for the skin, as well as surgical and non-surgical methods that can quite effectively counteract the effects of aging. What about hair?

Today, the most common way to “fight” gray hair is to dye all hair with a special dye. Unfortunately, we have to admit that this method is still the most effective: doctors and cosmetologists have not yet learned how to return the color to gray hair.

However, there are several principles, the observance of which helps to postpone gray hair until later years, and in some cases, to get rid of prematurely appearing single gray hairs.

Drinking enough fluids

Hair follicles need fluid to function properly. Lack of moisture and hydration prevents nutrients from reaching the hair follicles and thus can trigger the appearance of gray hair.

Neglect of thirst, addiction to alcohol and coffee abuse increase the likelihood of going gray prematurely.

Proper nutrition

The substances listed above will help maintain youthful and healthy hair for as long as possible. It is especially important to include foods with vitamin B12, folic acid and Omega-3 in your diet. These three ingredients are most effective in combating gray hair when taken as vitamin supplements or in foods.

Improved blood circulation

Blood circulation and blood supply are vital to preventing gray hair. There's little point in eating vitamins and minerals if they can't reach your hair follicles.

Physical activity will be helpful to improve blood circulation. For the lazy and busy, massage your scalp with your fingertips. If you spend 5-10 minutes a day on it, microcirculation will improve significantly and your hair may “change its mind” about turning gray and falling out.

Stress management

Stress is not the only cause of gray hair, but it is one of them. In 2012, Nobel Prize winner in chemistry Robert Lefkowitz discovered a mechanism that may explain why stress causes gray hair.

An extreme situation causes the release of numerous neurotransmitter substances designed to mobilize all the body's reserve resources. Usually their effect is short-lived and really helps to cope with the threat. Long-term exposure to these substances on the body, however, can cause graying and a host of other negative effects.

To give up smoking

It has been scientifically proven that smoking causes premature aging of the body and poor circulation. Giving up it is the first step of any person who wants to prolong his youth.

In addition to active rest and diet, it is important to take care of adequate, sufficiently long sleep.