As we age, our bodies change: our skin loses its firmness, wrinkles increase, and our hair turns gray. The cult of youth in which we live makes us try to stop and even reverse these natural processes. Fortunately, opposite trends are slowly gaining ground, and gray hair is gaining popularity and becoming fashionable. However, if you do not feel comfortable with gray hair, we will reveal some home remedies that can help darken your hair or slow down the graying process.
Gray hair – where does it come from?
Genes are mainly responsible for graying and, unfortunately, we don’t have much to say here. If our parents went gray at a young age, we probably will too. In addition, lifestyle, nutrition and life experiences may influence graying.
For example, stress and tension can actually contribute to the acceleration of the aging process, which also leads to more gray hair. Regular lack of sleep also contributes to gray hair.
Some chemicals used may also have an adverse effect on the condition of the hair, including the graying process, even if they are dedicated to hair care. It has been noticed that graying can also be accelerated by regular use of stimulants, such as alcohol, tobacco, drugs or stimulants.
Another factor that may accelerate aging is an improper diet that lacks fruits and vegetables and, consequently, vitamins. Deficiencies, especially of B vitamins, folic acid, as well as mineral deficiencies – zinc, selenium, copper and iron, may cause gray hair to appear earlier.
Natural ways to deal with gray hair
Many people decide to dye their hair, but it is not a good solution for everyone, including: due to allergies to hair dyes, adverse effects of dyes on the condition of the hair or scalp, or due to the need to constantly cover the roots with dye.
However, natural methods can help slow down the graying process and regrow hair rich in melanin, which allows it to maintain its natural color. Ways to slow down graying include:
- a diet rich in vitamins and minerals, especially such as B12 and B5, folic acid, biotin and zinc, selenium, iodine;
- the ability to rest and relax. High cortisol levels, resulting from excessive stress, contribute to the degradation of melanin. Reducing your daily stress level and taking time to relax can be the recipe for restoring your hair to a darker color;
- well-selected hair care cosmetics that promote natural pigmentation.
Home remedies to stop hair from graying
- Brewer’s yeast, which affects the condition of hair, reduces hair loss and can have a beneficial effect on hair color, also in the case of graying. You can drink it dissolved, with e.g. honey or milk, or use yeast tablets.
- Walnuts are famous for their darkening properties. A rinse made from nut shells can effectively give your hair a darker color.
- Coffee rinse is an excellent choice for people with naturally dark hair. Strengthens hair and darkens it. After washing your hair, soak your hair in a rinse, previously drained of coffee grounds, and then rinse with cool water.
- Some people practice rinsing their hair with water after cooking potatoes – provided it was unsalted water. You gain a darker color and are nourished by the richness of vitamins present in potatoes. This method is also dedicated to people with naturally dark hair.
Do natural methods for gray hair work? You can answer: it depends. There are many factors that can determine whether the graying process will stop, slow down or reverse when gray hair is darkened. The thing about natural methods is that you can try them without any harm to your health (as long as you are not allergic to the mentioned ingredients) and see for yourself which of these methods is the best.