Tuesday, October 15, 2024 | Rabi' ath-thani 11, 1446 H
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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Greying gracefully or prematurely?

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Greying is considered a sign of ageing, as age is the first and main cause of greying when the body’s secretion of melanin, the substance responsible for giving colour to hair, decreases. With age, the cells in the hair stop forming and synthesising melanin, thus reducing the hair’s colour, which finally becomes white.


However, many suffer from grey hair at an early age, wondering why and whether normal colour can be retrieved.


Dr Saleh bin Saif al Hinai, Senior Consultant of Family Medicine and founder of the Dr Saleh Health Platform, cited several reasons for premature greying of hair. One of them is vitamin deficiency like vitamin B6, B12, biotin (B7), vitamin D, or E another reason is heredity, where early grey hair can occur at the age of 20 years due to genetics, according to a scientific study.


“Oxidative stress is also a factor where imbalances occur when antioxidants are not enough to counteract harmful effects of certain toxic molecules (free radicals), which are unstable molecules that damage cells and contribute to ageing and disease. Too much oxidative stress can promote the development of diseases, including vitiligo,” according to the doctor.


In addition, Al Hinai explained that certain medical conditions, including autoimmune diseases, may increase a person’s risk of ageing early. “Scientific studies have shown a link between hair colour imbalance and thyroid disease. Alopecia has a role in the appearance of white hair,” he confirmed.


Above all, Dr Al Hinai also noted that psychological stress might accelerate premature greying. A study from New York University, published in the journal Nature Medicine, found that the cells responsible for hair colour can be depleted when the body is under pressure.


On the other hand, colouring hair to get rid of grey hair may not always be the right decision, according to the doctor.


“Chemical hair dyes and hair products, even shampoo, can contribute to premature greying of hair. In addition, many of these products contain harmful ingredients that reduce melanin. For example, hydrogen peroxide, which is found in many hair dyes, is one such harmful chemical,” he said.


On preventing prematurely white hair, Al Hinai explained, “If genetics or ageing is the cause, then nothing can prevent or reverse the process. Nevertheless, treating grey hair can allow natural hair dye to return if the cause is a medical condition. When a vitamin deficiency is the cause of premature hair, correcting it may reverse the problem or stop it from getting worse”.


Regarding ways to slow down greying, Dr Al Hinai said, “Sometimes a diet rich in antioxidants reduces oxidative stress, slowing down grey hair. That could be like fresh fruits and vegetables, Green tea, Olive oil, fish treating vitamin deficiencies by eating more foods rich in these vitamins”.


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