At some point they are there: first gray hairs. Many people associate them with the decline in sexual attractiveness and feel old due to gray hair. The age-related decrease in pigmentation can not really be stopped, yet no one who does not want to, has to live with gray hair.
What are gray hairs?
Some people first get gray hairs clearly visible on the sides, in others they are evenly distributed over the entire head and are not particularly noticeable at first. Gray hair is the loss of natural hair color. In the place of black, brunette, red or blond, a shade of gray appears over time, which becomes lighter and lighter as the years go by. This process usually happens very slowly: at first there are only single gray hairs that you discover in the mirror, but over time they become more and more. Depending on the predisposition, the graying of the hair can proceed differently:
Some people first get clearly visible gray hairs on the sides, in others they are evenly distributed over the entire head and are not particularly noticeable at first. Almost all people get gray hair with age, as it is a natural process.
Causes
The cause of gray hair is the age-related decrease in melanin production in the body. Melanins are pigment substances that the body forms itself with the cooperation of the protein tyrosine and stores in the hair, among other things. If the body’s own production of these pigments decreases over time, the hair turns white. Since not all hair normally turns white at once, the impression of gray hair is created by the mixture of white and pigmented hair. Only at a very old age and not in all people all hairs become white (schlohweiß). In rare cases, gray hair develops at a very young age, due to stress, mineral deficiency or disorders of pigment formation caused by disease.
Diseases with this symptom
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Mineral deficiency
- Malnutrition
Diagnosis and course
Those who discover the first gray hairs on themselves at the age of 35, the doctor will explain that this is completely normal. If gray hair appears earlier, he will ask about familial predisposition. A diagnosable disorder is when the hair suddenly turns gray after a serious shock experience (e.g. post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)). Since hair has living cells only in the root, such shock-induced graying starts at the hairline and becomes visible only a few weeks later. Such non-ageing gray hair caused by a shock or permanent stress and poor nutrition can regain its original color if treated properly. Gray hairs, however, which have arisen due to natural aging, usually do not regenerate.
Complications
Gray hair is a normal sign of aging that affects everyone sooner or later. Especially lighter hair colors gray far more intensively, while people with dark hair often still retain some color pigments or hardly gray at all. A possible complication is that people develop gray hair at a very early age. The causes of this are unclear, although they are probably to be found in the human genes. Diseases can also cause hair to turn gray before its time. There is nothing that can be done about it from a medical point of view. However, it is possible to dye gray hair and thus either restore the previous natural hair color or choose a different color. Since the hair now contains no color pigments or only very few, very many colors are possible. However, the user should know that hair colors are highly effective chemical mixtures – and therefore also carry certain risks, which depend on the product and the respective ingredients. Often, gray hair becomes more brittle and less stable at the same time, which means that it will not grow as long and is also more likely to break off if it is constantly exposed to hair color. This is why there are so few old women with long hair – even without chemical influences, it is more likely to break off and not grow back as quickly as in younger years.
When should you go to the doctor?
Gray hair is considered a typical sign of aging.Yet there are quite a few people who gradually begin to gray already in their thirties, some even before their 30th birthday. The time of graying is usually hereditary. Internationally, there are considerable differences in the appearance of the first gray hairs among individual peoples. In most cases, therefore, there is no cause for concern if someone develops gray hair at an early age. Possible causes of premature graying are nutrient deficiencies – for example in extreme diets, hormonal disorders and severe stress. Anyone who has a suspicion in this regard can of course consult a doctor. In addition to the family doctor, a dermatologist or endocrinologist are recommended here. If gray hair is a heavy psychological burden, a visit to a psychologist or psychotherapist may also be appropriate. People who do not like to come to terms with their gray hair simply resort to hair dyes. The chemicals contained in them are often aggressive and can attack the scalp as well as damage the hair structure. Also, numerous buyers of hair dye products for home use apply the means improperly. Thus, eventually, this treatment of gray hair may necessitate seeing a doctor, preferably a dermatologist.
Treatment and therapy
Medical treatment of gray hair is useful only in the case of non-age-related pigment loss. If the gray hair is due to a shock, trauma therapy can help to cope with the experience and gain new courage to face life. If the affected person is still young enough, pigment formation will also regenerate. If stress, malnutrition and possibly alcohol and nicotine abuse have led to a demineralization of the body and thus caused gray hair, stress management training in conjunction with sport and a diet rich in vital substances will help to regenerate body and soul and revive pigment production. Although gray hair due to increasing age cannot be treated causally, it can be covered up cosmetically: Gentle hair dyes are available in almost every shade imaginable. Those who do not want to use dyes to combat gray hair can also try a color care lotion (e.g. Grecian, Bioloire). This must be applied regularly and produces a natural dye via a chemical reaction, which is quite similar to the natural hair color. However, the most natural “treatment” is to make friends with gray hair as a sign of wisdom and authority.
Outlook and prognosis
Gray hair occurs primarily in old age. The hair loses its pigments and grows back more or less dark or light gray. Although it is not a disease, but a normal phenomenon of natural aging – yet many people find gray hair unpleasant and cosmetically disturbing. When they first appear and how long it takes from that point until all hair is gray depends on a person’s genetic disposition. Therefore, it is hardly possible to predict when the first gray hairs will appear and when a person will become completely gray-haired. In some people, the hair never turns completely gray, especially in dark hair colors. In others, the hair turns completely gray at a young age, but this is rare. Often, at about the same time as graying, the hair also becomes less full, especially in men occurs thinning hair growth. Gray hair can be dyed if it is considered cosmetically disturbing. However, since it absorbs color differently than hair with its own color pigments, a professional should do the hair coloring.
Prevention
If you want to prevent gray hair in time, you should consistently focus on an abundant supply of vitamins and minerals, as well as protein. Sufficient sleep and regular stress reduction are additionally helpful to delay the development of gray hair as long as possible. Otherwise, there is only the recommendation not to grow gray hair because of gray hair.
This is what you can do yourself
Gray hair is a normal, but often unwelcome sign of aging. There is no cure for them, but they can be overdyed with hair color. This makes them visually invisible again and the affected person initially regains his natural hair color. However, this also means that regular recoloring is necessary. If, on the other hand, the hair is already completely gray, this can even be an advantage from a cosmetic point of view.They now have few or no color pigments and are therefore capable of taking on almost any color desired. A common problem that goes hand in hand with the graying of the hair is thinning and brittle hair that no longer grows properly long and is also not protected against hair breakage. A restorative, nourishing hair care, the gentlest possible shampoo for regular cleansing as well as hair growth products from the pharmacy can help with these accompanying symptoms. Especially as they age, many people with graying or gray hair also decide to cut it short. This makes it look healthier again, requires less maintenance and would require less hair color if it is to be dyed. An alternative that women in particular like to try is colored tints. These can also have unnatural colors such as pink, purple or blue, but they are very subtle on gray hair like a barely visible glow of color.
