Grey hair may or may not be a sign of elevated wisdom, but could it be indicative of your stress levels needing examination? After all, it is impossible to grow up in an Indian household without being confronted with cautionary tales on how stress can turn your hair grey. The experts, however, are not entirely convinced. If you've been trying to find out the truth, ahead is everything you need to know about how stress impacts Indian hair and what you can do about it.
How does stress impact Indian hair?
Let’s start with what we know about Indian hair: mostly, it is thick, strong and dense. Some grow curly, some wavy but across the board, Indian hair is known to be resilient. This means that hair growth can be slower than other hair types but hey, at least we have a naturally dark pigment to our credit.
It is a well-known fact that stress can take its toll on our physical and mental health, but can the impact extend to our crowning glory as well? We asked trichologist Dr Sravya C Tipirneni at Manipal Hospitals in Bengaluru. If there is one thing she wants you to know about stress, it is this: it throws our body into fight-or-flight mode, pumping out increased cortisol and norepinephrine. Unfortunately, these hormones can disrupt the hair growth cycle, she explains. With the first domino tipped over, a chain reaction could get started like increased hair fall, thinner hair and scalp conditions like dandruff.
But can stress turn your hair grey?
For Dr Tipirneni, the answer is yes—but with a caveat. While stress alone might not turn your hair completely grey, there is evidence that it can accelerate premature greying. Here's a breakdown.
● Melanocyte mayhem: Hair colour comes from pigment cells called melanocytes. Stress pumps out hormones like norepinephrine which can conduct a grand theft auto on the melanocyte stem cells in the hair follicles. Fewer stem cells equals to fewer pigment cells, leading to grey hair growth.
● Oxidative stress: Stress can induce the production of free radicals. These unstable foot soldiers can declare anarchy on hair follicle cells and accelerate the ageing process, including the greying of hair.
Beyond stress, there are other catalysts as well that can trigger the appearance of grey hair, believes cosmetic dermatologist Dr Rashmi Shetty. “Having one or two grey strands in your late teens or early twenties isn’t usually a cause for concern. But if a significant portion of your hair is greying, it might be worth sitting down for a discussion with your parents, as genetics could be a factor,” she explains. Mineral deficiencies—copper, zinc, magnesium and certain vitamin B deficiencies—also need to be investigated, she believes.
How can you get ahead of premature greying?
Reversing existing grey hair might not be within the realm of possibility, but Dr Tipirneni believes that certain lifestyle measures can potentially slow down future greying:
● Stress management: If you lead a fast-paced life, certain stress-busting techniques like meditation, yoga and deep breathing can help you find your zen in the midst of the chaos.
● Nutrient-rich diet: By ensuring adequate intake of vitamins B12 and D along with iron, you can ensure that the existing pigmentation levels of your hair are balanced.
● Scalp massage: Opting for a scalp massage routinely can improve blood circulation and promote the growth of healthier, thicker hair.
● Expert guidance: It is essential to consult with a dermatologist if you experience excessive hair loss, rapid greying or any other concerning hair issues. By factoring your genetics and other parameters, a haircare expert can guide you towards the nourishing shampoos and tailored hair treatments that can help you slow down the clock on greying.
Also read:
How to pick the best shampoo for hair fall, according to your hair type
