Greying of hairs – what is it?

Greying of hairs is a symptom of unconventional protein synthesis. Hair starts growing white when the color pigment (medically known as melanin) ends to get produced in the hair follicles and there, the small air spaces take their place. The pigment cells located at the base of the hair follicles manufacture the natural dominant color of the youth. Nevertheless, as a person advances in his life reaching middle age, more and more of such pigment cells die and the color is lost from a person’s hairs. As a result of that, a person's hairs gradually begin to show more and more grey.

If we see the anatomy of each hair, it has an outer layer (called as a cuticle) of overlapping flat cells, beneath which is the thick cortex that comprise of horn-like keratin. The inner side of the hair is made up of softer and rectangular cells. Hair color is fixed by the concentration and depth of some special pigment called as melanin in the cortex - this manufactures the entire spectrum of hair colors from blond to black and hence, very fair people do not having much melanin. When these melanocytes start dying, then the hairs turn grey. Melanocytes create the pigment melanin and they are the cells responsible to much of the coloring of the skin present over the human body, including the hairs. With advanced age, the melanocytes lose their capability of making pigment, so color is absent from newer hairs.

Why are Greying Hairs?

Greying hairs are usually associated with ageing, but that is not always the case. Early greying of the hairs is generally hereditary, and one can inherit it from one of the parents or even forbears. So if your father's hair had started turning grey in his 30s, there is a fair chance for you to get it too. Greying hairs can also be influenced by distress. A person facing a prolonged period of distress and anxiety might notice, over the times, white hairs step-by-step appearing. Malnutrition, worries, shocks, deep sorrows, tensions and other similar conditions might also slower down the production of melanin that results in greying hairs. Sever illnesses too can stop or affect the production of melanin. However, experts have not been fully been able to understand the exact causes of the change in colors of the hair.

Home remedies and treatment of Greying Hairs

The Indian gooseberry is the best cure for greying hairs and falling hairs. Regular massage with "Amla" paste (rubbing gently onto the scalp) has showed wonders in many cases by reversing the process of greying or falling of the hairs.

One can also massage the hair with coconut oil and lemon every second day for about 10 minutes. There are many people who have had black hairs even up to the age of 60-70 yr using this technique.

One can also mix lemon juice in castor oil and beat it till it turns frothy. Add then henna to it and apply the mixture evenly onto the scalp, and rinse after an hour using some natural shampoo. This checks greying of hairs.

Nourishment required in greying of hairs

Vitamin A - vitamin A is important for promoting healthy scalp since it gives body and hair a glow. One should include dark green leafy vegetables and oranges & yellow fruits & other juicy vegetables in the diet.

Vitamin B - vitamin B helps in regulating the secretion of oils, keeping hair healthy & moisturized. One should therefore, eat more of fresh green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, cauliflowers, cereals, livers kidneys, yoghurt, banana and dark vegetables.

Minerals - minerals such as Zn, Fe & Cu promote healthy hairs. Food sources include red meat and chicken & green vegetables for zinc; beef, dried apricots, red meats, parsleys, egg, wheat & sunflower seeds for iron and seafood, egg yolks & whole grain for copper

Proteins - consuming more of proteins give the hair natural shining and good texture. Therefore, one should include more of sprouted whole grain, cereal, meats and soy in a regular diet.