Hair graying occurs when the formation of melanin, the substance that gives hair its color, is reduced in the follicles. Hair turns white with age. But sometimes hair whitening is seen at young ages. There are many reasons for hair whitening. Hair turns white due to genetic, structural and external factors.
Malnutrition can cause graying of hair. Stress and vitamin deficiency are other factors that cause graying of hair. The use of too much hair dye, the use of drugs causes hair to turn white.
Hair that is washed with very hot water and hair that is constantly dried with a blow dryer has a high whitening rate. Vitamins should be taken to nourish the hair and prevent graying. Lack of intake of B vitamins, iron, iodine and copper is a factor in hair whitening.
Other Causes of Hair Whitening
Aging; As we age, the production of melanin in the body decreases. This causes the hair to turn gray first and then turn white.
Stress and traumas; Sudden trauma and emotional shocks, extreme sadness and extreme stress can cause sudden or regional graying of the hair.
Pituitary gland disorders; The thyroid glands, which work under the control of the pituitary glands, affect the T3 and T4 hormones, which stimulate the synthesis of melanin in the hair if they work differently than normal. This causes the hair to turn white and fall out.
Genetic; If the mother, father and other family members experience hair graying at an early age, the hair may also experience the problem of graying at an early age.
Anemia; It causes pernicious anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency and anemia in the body. This causes the hair to turn white at an early age. If there is a problem of graying of hair, especially in childhood and adolescence, the patient should be investigated for anemia.
Werner’s syndrome; It is an inherited disease and is known as premature aging disease. In this disease, problems such as hoarseness, thinning of the skin, graying of hair and hair loss occur.
poliosis; Hair whitening, graying and only regional whitening are called poliosis in medicine. It may be congenital or may occur after immune system problems and various diseases.
PRP treatment is the most effective medical treatment against hair whitening. In PRP treatment, stem cells taken from the person’s own blood are injected into the hair follicles. In this way, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, iron and zinc required for the production of keratin and melanin in the hair follicle are taken.
