Grey hair is a natural part of aging, but for some, it can appear prematurely and cause concern. In addition, some people are self-conscious and unhappy with their grey hair. This issue raises the question about remedies for grey hair.
While many commercial hair dyes are available in the market, they may contain harsh chemicals, possibly damaging the hair and causing adverse effects. Grey hair comes to the rescue for people trying to darken their grey hair or slow down the process.
Starting from black tea to coconut oil, along with the proper diet and exercise, your hair could be healthy in no time. However, it is essential to understand that grey hair treatment may not work for anyone. In addition, it can take some time to show results.
In the section below, we will discuss the home remedies for grey hair.
List of Home Remedies for Premature Grey Hair
Grey hair is a natural part of aging, which most people will experience at some point. While many hair dyes and other cosmetic treatments are available to cover grey hair, some people prefer to try natural remedies first. Here are some remedies for grey hair that may help to slow down or reduce the appearance of grey hair:
1. Amla (Indian Gooseberry)
Amla is a popular ingredient in many hair oils and shampoos because it nourishes the scalp and promotes hair growth. This option could top the list when you google 'how to prevent grey hair'. You can also use amla to prevent grey hair by mixing amla powder with water to form a paste and applying it to your hair and scalp. Leave it on for an hour before washing it off with mild shampoo.
2. Rosemary Oil
Image source: Photo by Babette Landmesser: Unsplash
Popular for disability to encourage hair growth and prevent hair loss, Rosemary oil takes second place in the list. Start by mixing a few drops of Rosemary oil with coconut oil. Massage it into your scalp and hair. Do this 30 minutes before you wash your hair with mild shampoo and conditioner. It acts as a hair pack.
3. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an herb commonly used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. It is believed to have various health benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety, enhancing immunity, improving cognitive function, and promoting overall wellness. If you are looking to make grey hair black naturally, Ashwagandha comes to the rescue.
One of the lesser-known benefits of Ashwagandha is its potential to reduce the growth of grey hair. Grey hair occurs when melanin, the pigment that gives hair its color, decreases or stops being produced.
The exact mechanism by which Ashwagandha may reduce grey hair growth is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to the herb's antioxidant properties.
Also read:
- List of Herbal oils for hair growth with other information
- Check out steps to use Mustard oil on hair
- List of hair Oiling benefits for long term
4. Black Tea
Black tea contains tannins that can help to darken hair and reduce the appearance of grey hair. Brew a strong black tea, let it cool, and apply it to your hair and scalp. Leave it on for an hour before washing it off with mild shampoo.
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Every grey hair remedy may take time to show results and may not be effective for everyone. Consult a dermatologist if you have concerns about your hair or scalp health. As for hair care, ensure you continue using products and a healthy diet to see changes. When you invest efforts to fix your hair, looking for things that contribute to your overall health would be beneficial.
Lifestyle Changes as a Solution for Grey Hair
While the formula for reversing grey hair does not carry one particular method with guaranteed results, Lifestyle changes could be the first step. In addition to addressing grey hair issues, Lifestyle changes could promote overall hair health. Let us get to know more about these changes.
1. Eat a Balanced Diet
There couldn't be more emphasis on having a healthy and balanced diet. Adding sufficient vitamins and minerals, especially Vitamin B and copper, can do the magic. These add-ons are essential for healthy hair pigmentation. Apart from helping with grey hair, it can promote overall hair health.
2. Reduce Stress
Stress has been a contributing factor to so many health problems at this point. Grey hair is one of the consequences. Usually, healthcare professionals ask about your stress levels when you bring this grey hair question to the table. It could also cause hair fall.
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Since stress is linked to premature greying, relaxation techniques are recommended. You can try simple techniques like breathing, yoga, and meditation at home. You can also hire an instructor to learn more yoga asanas, contributing to your overall health.
3. Quit Smoking
Smoking is linked to premature greying, and like others, it is one of the contributing factors to poor overall health. Quitting smoking can help further greying apart from all the other health benefits.
4. Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise has many health benefits. It includes improved cardiovascular health, increased muscle strength, and stress reduction. There is no direct link between exercise and prevention or supporting evidence for if it can reverse grey hair naturally. However, exercise may indirectly promote healthy hair growth by improving blood flow and nutrient delivery to the hair follicles.
5. Get Enough Sleep
Like the exercise idea, sleep is an essential concept for overall health, and poor sleep can contribute to premature greying. You should take 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night. It impacts your overall health and hair health positively.
6. Use Gentle Hair Care Products
Using harsh chemicals can be one of the primary reasons for premature greying. Ensure you use gentle hair care products, and you can consult a healthcare professional for recommended products. In addition, avoid heat-styling tools and flat irons, which could severely damage the hair.
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While most people focus on protecting their skin from the sun by applying sunscreen lotions, sun damage can cause greying. Discuss with the healthcare professional for a hair care product recommendation with UV protection.
While these lifestyle changes may not necessarily reverse grey hair, they can slow the process and promote overall health. You should meet with a healthcare professional if you have an underlying condition or have too much stress.
Choosing hair care products on your own is not advisable. If you have grey hair problems, the wrong product would only cause more damage.
When to Seek Medical Help?
While grey hair is a part of the natural aging process, consider talking to a healthcare professional if you find the below symptoms.
- Sudden onset of grey hair: If you notice a sudden and rapid onset of grey hair, it could be a sign of an underlying medical condition, such as thyroid problems or vitamin deficiencies.
- Premature greying: If you are under 20 and have started to develop grey hair, it is considered premature and may be a sign of a medical condition.
- Other symptoms: If you are experiencing other symptoms along with grey hair, such as hair loss or changes in skin color, it could be a sign of a more serious underlying medical condition.
- Family history: If premature greying runs in your family, it may be worth consulting a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
- Emotional distress: If grey hair is causing you significant emotional distress, it may be worth seeking medical advice or counseling to address your concerns.
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Misconceptions
Before taking the first step of working on changing the hair color, let us learn some misconceptions about them:
- Plucking grey hairs will cause more to grow: It is one of the common misconceptions that science has debunked. Plucking grey hair will only cause more grey hairs to grow as a replacement.
- Applying onion juice can reverse grey hair: Onion juice has been promoted as one of the natural remedies for grey hair, but no scientific evidence supports this claim. Onion juice has some benefits for hair health but does not do much for grey hair.
- Massaging the scalp with coconut oil can prevent grey hair: Coconut oil has many benefits for hair health, but there is no evidence that it can reverse your grey hair naturally.
- Drinking curry leaves juice can prevent grey hair: Curry leaves, a popular ingredient in several Indian dishes, are recommended for grey hair. However, there is again a problem with scientific evidence supporting the claim.
These misconceptions could be true for grey hair reversal or prevention, but they can provide several other benefits to hair health. A fine example would be coconut oil. It moisturizes the scalp and reduces dandruff. On the other hand, onion juice promotes hair growth. As for premature greying and related medical issues, find out the underlying cause. Speak to health care professionals to do so. Develop an appropriate treatment plan for the same.
Conclusion
Natural remedies for grey hair can be effective in helping to slow down the greying process and promote healthy hair growth. However, it is essential to note that these remedies may only work for some and may take time to see results.
Additionally, it is important to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle to support hair health. If you have concerns about premature greying or other hair issues, it is best to consult with a healthcare professional or a licensed hair care specialist.
