Hair is an important aspect of our physical appearance.
It enhances our beauty and personality, but what if it starts grilling before time? Hair grilling refers to the condition where the hair prematurely turns gray or becomes dull, rough, and prone to breakage. It becomes a matter of concern for both men and women, especially when it occurs before the age of 30. Several reasons contribute to early hair grilling. Identifying these reasons is essential to prevent hair grilling and promote healthy hair growth.
Genetics
Genetics play a vital role in determining the overall health of our hair. If your parents or close relatives have early hair grilling, there’s a high possibility that you may also experience the same problem.
This is because genetics decide the production of pigments melanin in our bodies. If the production of pigments decreases or stops, the hair starts turning gray or white.
Stress
Stressful situations trigger the release of cortisol hormones in our bodies. These hormones can increase free radical production that otherwise damage the production of melanin in the hair follicles, leading to hair grilling.
The connection between stress and hair grilling highlights the significance of avoiding or managing stressful situations as much as possible.
Nutritional Deficiency
Nutritional deficiency is another reason why the hair grills early. Healthy and shiny hair mostly reflects nutrients such as biotin, zinc, vitamin A, and protein, among others. Lack of these nutrients leads to weak hair, hair fall, and early grilling.
It’s essential to include nutritious foods such as eggs, whole wheat grains, spinach, and almonds in your diet to ensure an adequate intake of important vitamins and minerals.
Smoking
Cigarettes contain many harmful chemicals that cause hair to grill early, amongst other problems. The smoke produced by cigarettes reduces the blood flow to the hair follicles that weakens the hair shafts resulting in hair loss.
Nicotine is also known to cause premature grilling of hair.
Chemical Usage
Many people use hair dyes and chemicals to experiment with different hair colors and styles. But these products are full of harmful chemicals such as ammonia and hydrogen peroxide that weaken hair structure, thus leading to premature hair grilling.
The regular application of chemicals affects the hair’s texture, leading to dryness and breakage of hair.
Medical Conditions
Medical conditions such as hypothyroidism and anemia hinder normal hair growth and lead to premature grilling. Hypothyroidism impairs the thyroid gland, which affects the production of hormones necessary for hair growth.
Anemia reduces the count of red blood cells in our bodies that are responsible for carrying oxygen, which further leads to weak hair health and premature grilling.
Environmental Conditions
Our hair is continuously exposed to harsh environmental pollutants and toxins such as dust, UV rays, and heat. These environmental conditions cause significant damage to the hair and scalp, resulting in hair grilling.
It is essential to give your hair proper protection by covering them with a scarf or hat while going out in the sun.
Poor Hair Care
If you are not taking care of your hair and scalp, it can lead to hair grilling and other hair problems such as dandruff and hair loss. Lack of hair care includes infrequent hair washing, vigorous towel drying, combing roughness, etc.
Using harsh shampoo, conditioner, and styling products can also lead to hair damage, making them more prone to grilling.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause can lead to hair grilling. In those phases, the body goes through a lot of hormonal changes that affect hair growth, leading to hair fall and grilling.
Women should take extra care of their hair during these periods to prevent damage and promote healthy hair growth.
Ageing
Ageing is a natural and inevitable process where our cells stop producing pigments, and our hair turns gray or white. With age, the texture of our hair changes and becomes more prone to hair grilling and other related hair problems.
Conclusion
Early hair grilling is a common problem that needs attention, as it can lead to low self-esteem and loss of confidence.
Several reasons contribute to early hair grilling, which include genetics, stress, nutritional deficiency, smoking, chemical usage, medical conditions, environmental conditions, poor hair care, hormonal changes, and ageing. Identifying the underlying cause of your hair grilling can help prevent further damage and improve hair health.
Taking necessary precautions such as avoiding harsh chemicals, consuming nutritious foods, and proper hair care can promote healthy hair growth and prevent premature grilling.