What Causes Gray/White Hair At A Young Age?
Just like premature graying can occur in young adults, it is also possible for children across all ages to grow some strands of white or gray hair. The common causes of white hair in children include:
Genetic predisposition with relation to pH and cysteine levels of melanosomes. Inheritance – A family history of early onset of gray hair. Premature aging disorders, such as progeria, pangeria, etc. Studies show that the failure of antioxidant effect during melanogenesis can damage melanocytes, thereby reducing the pigmentation of hair. High levels of stress. Use of synthetic shampoo and soaps. Exposure to damage by UV light rays as it could damage the hair follicles, thereby causing graying (1).
Your child could have developed gray strands due to multiple factors. If they exhibit any other symptoms in addition to graying hair, it is best to consult a doctor to find out the root cause of the issue.
Medical Treatment Options
The cause of premature must first be determined to treat the condition. Mostly, treatments for graying hair in kids involve modifying the diet and increasing the intake of nutrient-rich foods. This is because nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamins B12 and D3 and calcium, are one of the leading causes of gray/white hair in children (2). If you have been diagnosed with premature hair graying, the chances are that you are deficient in vitamin B12 and also indicative of low serum ferritin. In some cases, hormone replacement might be a method of treatment, while in most cases, your doctor will prescribe vitamin supplements (3). There are also a few natural home remedies that can be used to get rid of gray hair in your little one. They are listed below.
Home Remedies To Manage Gray Hair In Kids
1. Amla (Indian Gooseberry)
Amla is widely used as a hair tonic to prevent graying of hair as it not only promotes hair growth and strength but also enhances pigmentation of hair (4). You Will Need
3-4 Indian gooseberries 1 cup of water
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This You may do this 1-2 times a week.
2. Coconut Oil
Gray hair is often thick and coarse. Hence, it needs to be well-nourished and well-maintained. Coconut oil, with its moisturizing properties, can help reduce protein loss from gray hair and keep it nourished (5). You Will Need 1-2 tablespoons of virgin coconut oil What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This You may do this 1-2 times a week.
3. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera juice is widely used in conjunction with natural dyes to color hair without damaging its cortex. It may speed the process of coloring or dying gray hair when used with henna (6). You Will Need 1 cup of aloe juice What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This You may do this once every few months. Aloe vera juice alone can be used once a week.
4. Curry Leaves
Extracts of curry leaves contain bioactive compounds that can help nourish and prevent premature graying of hair in kids as well as adults (7). You Will Need
15-20 curry leaves ½ cup of virgin coconut oil
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This You may do this once every week.
5. Henna Hair Pack
Henna exhibits natural dyeing properties that can help in getting rid of unwanted gray hair (8). It is safe to be used on kids as well. You Will Need
1 cup of powdered henna Water (as required) Gloves
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This You may do this once every few months or as required.
6. Bhringaraj (False Daisy)
Bhringaraj is a popularly used natural dye that contains bioactive compounds that enhance melanogenesis, thereby can be used to color gray and white hair (9). You Will Need
Bhringraj oil or powder Water (optional) Gloves
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This You may do this once every few weeks or months.
7. Black Coffee
Black coffee is also often used for hair coloring purposes due to its dyeing effects (8). Hence, it may also help in getting rid of gray hair in kids. You Will Need
2-3 cups of water 4-5 teaspoons of coffee powder
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This You may do this once every few weeks.
8. Nutritional Supplements
Deficiencies in vitamins B12, B7 (biotin), B9 (folic acid), and D3 are often associated with premature graying (10). Severe iron deficiency, chronic protein loss, and chronic copper deficiency are also associated with premature hair graying. Low serum ferritin and calcium are observed in premature graying. Taking supplements for these deficiencies could help reverse the effects of graying of hair. Consume foods rich in vitamins like eggs, dairy, and fish and iron-rich foods like shellfish, spinach, liver and organ meats, legumes like kidney beans, etc. You should consult your doctor if you plan on giving additional supplements to your child. Here are a few tips that could help prevent your hair from graying prematurely or your child’s hair from graying.
Prevention Tips
If you are looking to prevent your hair from graying prematurely, you can follow these tips:
Make sure your kid follows a healthy, nutrient-rich diet. If you smoke, quit or do not smoke in the presence of your child as passive smoking can also cause premature graying. Address your child’s nutritional deficiencies after consulting a doctor. Find out the root cause of graying by consulting a doctor and avail treatment accordingly.
Why does hair turn gray? Some of these remedies might be difficult, but to know about easy home remedies, check out the infographic given below Graying hair is a natural part of aging. As you age, the pigment cells (melanocytes) in your hair follicles slowly die, which causes your hair to gray. Which is the best shampoo to reduce white hair? There are many brands selling shampoos intended to dye your hair black like Dexe and Vcare. However, it is recommended that you stick to natural alternatives to avoid any possible side effects. Does stress cause white hair? Yes, stress is one of the factors that may contribute to premature graying as it increases oxidative stress and damage within the body. How do you produce more melanin? You can help your body produce more melanin by following a healthy and well-balanced diet that includes lots of protein. Consuming vitamin-rich fresh fruits and vegetables can also help.s Does everyone get white hair? Yes, everyone eventually develops gray or white hair as they age. However, the age of onset of gray/white hair may vary from one individual to another. Is it bad to pluck gray hair? If there is only a strand or two of white hair, it is completely safe to pluck them off. However, plucking too many hair strands can increase your risk of developing an infection and scarring or may even lead to bald patches. Does removing gray hair cause more? No, removing gray hair doesn’t cause your other hair strands to become gray. It is only a myth. Is premature white hair reversible? Yes, premature white hair can be reversed if the cause is nutritional deficiencies or severe protein malnourishment (11). However, premature white hair caused by genetics may not always be reversible. Why is my hair turning white instead of gray? As hair ages, it starts producing less melanin. This makes your hair turn gray and eventually white. Your hair may have already crossed the initial stage of graying and probably is now turning white. At what age hair turns white? Most people may see their first white hair in their mid-thirties.
