Is it possible to stop early hair graying? Trichologist explains
Illustrative photo: How to stop early hair graying (Getty Images)
Premature graying of hair can be caused by both heredity and underlying health issues. In some cases, gray hair can be delayed or even partially restored, but it is impossible to completely prevent this process, says Ukrainian trichologist Oksana Varlamova.
Why does gray hair appear
According to the doctor, the common belief that gray hair is a marker of aging is a myth.
"Gray hair can be physiologically determined, for example, if the parents grayed early. That is one scenario. Another is due to a deficiency of micro- and macroelements, such as iron, copper, or zinc. In that case, melanin production is disrupted, and the hair grows without pigment," explains the trichologist.
Another factor can be severe stress.
"Since ancient times, there have been cases described where a person turned gray overnight after a great sorrow. This is very rare, but it is possible. It is medically proven," Varlamova notes.
Can pigment be restored
The expert emphasized that in cases where gray hair occurs due to nutrient deficiencies, it is possible to restore pigment.
"We restore all the elements, the patient takes vitamins, and then you can see hair growing back with pigment," she says.
However, if gray hair is hereditary, the process cannot be stopped.
"If a mother or father started graying early, you can only delay the process. This requires a consistent intake of vitamins that stimulate melanogenesis. However, this mechanism cannot be fully restored," the trichologist clarifies.
The specialist adds that plucking gray hairs will not help if the underlying internal cause is not addressed.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
