How To Get Rid Of Premature White Hair: Causes, Natural Treatment, And Prevention Tips

Your hair falling and regenerating every day is part of a natural process. While gray hair is part of aging, seeing it on your child’s head can be worrisome. Grey hair at a young age can be due to genetics, poor lifestyle, or an indication of an underlying medical condition. Premature gray hair in children and adolescents has also been observed to cause emotional distress. Thus knowing the causes and remedies can help boost self-image. Fortunately, there are some natural ways to get rid of prematurely white hair too. In this article, we explore the causes and possible white hair treatment options available for premature hair pigmentation in children. Scroll down to read more on how to remove white hair naturally.

What Causes Gray/White Hair At A Young Age?

Just like premature graying can occur in young adults, it is also possible for children across all ages to grow some strands of white or gray hair.

The common causes of white hair in children include:

• Genetic predisposition with relation to pH and cysteineⁱ  A non-essential amino acid that makes protein to boost skin elasticity and texture in nails, hair, and skin. levels of melanosomes.
• Inheritance – A family history of early onset of gray hair.
• Premature aging disorders, such as progeria, pangeria, etc.
• Studies show that the failure of antioxidant effect during melanogenesisⁱ  The complex process of melanin pigment production responsible for skin pigmentation. It helps the skin fight harmful UV rays. can damage melanocytes, thereby reducing the pigmentation of hair.
• High levels of stress.
• Use of synthetic shampoo and soaps.
• Exposure to damage by UV light rays as it could damage the hair follicles, thereby causing graying (1).

Your child could have developed gray strands due to multiple factors. If they exhibit any other symptoms in addition to graying hair, it is best to consult a doctor to find out the root cause of the issue.

Medical Treatment Options

The cause of premature white hair must first be determined to treat the condition.

Mostly, treatments for graying hair in kids involve modifying the diet and increasing the intake of nutrient-rich foods. This is because nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamins B12 and D3 and calcium, are one of the leading causes of gray/white hair in children (2).

If you have been diagnosed with premature hair graying, the chances are that you are deficient in vitamin B12 and also indicative of low serum ferritinⁱ  A blood protein that stores iron produced by most living organisms, including microorganisms, such as archaea and bacteria. . In some cases, hormone replacement might be a method of treatment, while in most cases, your doctor will prescribe vitamin supplements (3).

According to a study, thyroid disorders and autoimmune diseases can also play a role in causing premature graying of hair (4). Hence, it is always best to consult a medical professional upon noticing premature gray hair.

Wondering how to get rid of white hair naturally? Listed below are natural home remedies that can be used to get rid of gray hair on your little one. Read on!

Home Remedies To Manage Gray Hair In Kids

1. Amla (Indian Gooseberry)
2. Coconut Oil
3. Aloe Vera
4. Curry Leaves
5. Henna Hair Pack
6. Bhringaraj (False Daisy)
7. Black Coffee
8. Fenugreek Seeds
9. Nutritional Supplements

1. Amla (Indian Gooseberry)

Amla is rich in antioxidants and widely used as a hair tonic to prevent graying of hair as it not only promotes hair growth and strength but also enhances pigmentation of hair (5).

You Will Need

• 3-4 Indian gooseberries
• 1 cup of water

What You Have To Do

1. Cut the Indian gooseberries into small pieces.
2. Add them to a glass of water and bring it to a boil.
3. Simmer for a few minutes.
4. Switch off the stove.
5. Allow the mixture to cool. Strain.
6. Apply the mixture to your kid’s hair.

Quick Tip

You can also use amla powder or amla oil in place of whole amlas for your weekly hair mask.

You may do this 1-2 times a week.

2. Coconut Oil

Gray hair is often thick and coarse. Hence, it needs to be well-nourished and well-maintained. Coconut oil, with its moisturizing properties, can help reduce protein loss from gray hair and keep it nourished (6).

You Will Need

1-2 tablespoons of virgin coconut oil

What You Have To Do

1. Apply virgin coconut oil to your scalp and hair.
2. Leave it on for an hour and rinse it off with a mild cleanser.
3. Follow up with a conditioner.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this 1-2 times a week.

3. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera juice is widely used in conjunction with natural dyes to color hair without damaging its cortex. It may speed the process of coloring or dying gray hair when used with henna (7). It contains minerals like calcium, selenium, zinc, chromium, copper, etc. which makes it an excellent remedy for hair pigmentation.

You Will Need

1 cup of aloe juice

What You Have To Do

1. Take a cup of freshly prepared aloe vera juice.
2. Use it in conjunction with natural dyes like henna or coffee.
3. Apply it to your child’s scalp and hair.
4. Leave it on for an hour before rinsing it off with water.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this once every few months. Aloe vera juice alone can be used once a week.

4. Curry Leaves

Extracts of curry leaves contain bioactive compounds that can help nourish and prevent premature graying of hair in kids as well as adults (8).

You Will Need

• 15-20 curry leaves
• ½ cup of virgin coconut oil

What You Have To Do

1. Add 15-20 curry leaves to a cup of coconut oil.
2. Bring it to a boil in a saucepan and simmer.
3. When the oil turns a shade of black, switch off the stove.
4. Allow the oil to cool and apply it to your kid’s hair and scalp.
5. Leave it on for at least an hour before rinsing it off.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this once every week.

5. Henna Hair Pack

Henna

exhibits natural dyeing properties that can help in getting rid of unwanted gray hair (9). It is safe to be used on kids as well.

You Will Need

• 1 cup of powdered henna
• Water (as required)
• Gloves

What You Have To Do

1. Add water to a cup of powdered henna to form a thick paste.
2. Mix well and apply the paste to your child’s hair using a pair of gloves.
3. Leave it on for an hour or two before rinsing it off.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this once every few months or as required.

6. Bhringaraj (False Daisy)

Bhringaraj

is a popularly used natural dye that contains bioactive compounds that enhance melanogenesis, thereby can be used to color gray and white hair (10).

You Will Need

• Bhringraj oil or powder
• Water (optional)
• Gloves

What You Have To Do

1. Apply bhringraj hair oil to the scalp and hair.
2. Leave it on for an hour and rinse it off with a mild cleanser.
3. Alternatively, mix bhringraj powder with water to create a thick paste.
4. Apply the paste to your child’s hair using a pair of gloves.
5. Leave it on for an hour and rinse it off.

Quick Tip

You can also boil bhringraj leaves with sesame or coconut oil and massage the mixture evenly across your scalp to tackle premature gray hair.

You may do this once every few weeks or months.

7. Black Coffee

Black coffee is also often used for hair coloring purposes due to its dyeing effects (9). Hence, it may also help in getting rid of gray hair in kids.

You Will Need

• 2-3 cups of water
• 4-5 teaspoons of coffee powder

What You Have To Do

1. Boil two to three cups of water.
2. Mix four to five teaspoons of coffee powder with a little plain water in another cup.
3. Mix the coffee concoction with the boiled water. Let it cool down.
4. Apply the mixture to your little one’s hair.
5. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes and rinse it off with water.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this once every few weeks.

8. Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek seeds are rich in iron, calcium, and copper (11). The deficiency of these minerals may be linked to premature graying of hair (12). Hence, fenugreek seeds may help improve the appearance of gray hair.

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds
• 2 teaspoons of water
• 1 tablespoon of yogurt

What You Have To Do

1. Soak the fenugreek seeds in water overnight.
2. Grind the seeds to a paste the next morning.
3. Add yogurt to the paste and mix it well.
4. Apply the paste to the scalp.
5. Leave the mask on for 10 minutes.
6. Rinse it off with warm water and a gentle shampoo.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this 2-3 times a week.

8. Nutritional Supplements

Deficiencies in vitamins B12, B7 (biotin), and B9 (folic acid) are often associated with premature graying (13). Even a deficiency of vitamin D and vitamin E can cause this condition. Severe iron deficiency, chronic protein loss, and chronic Zinc and copper deficiency are also associated with premature hair graying. Low serum ferritin and calcium are observed in premature graying.

Taking supplements for these deficiencies could help reverse the effects of graying of hair. Consume foods rich in vitamins like eggs, dairy, and fish and iron-rich foods like shellfish, spinach, liver and organ meats, legumes like kidney beans, etc.

Chhavi Puri, a lifestyle blogger, talked about her experience with premature graying hair and the impact of diet. She said, “I found out that I have vitamin B12 deficiency, and changed my diet, and it helped me a lot resolving the issue (i).” Further, she recommended managing stress, maintaining a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and incorporating natural remedies like amla, henna, and coffee in hair care regimes to tackle this issue.

You should consult your doctor if you plan on giving additional supplements to your child.

Here are a few tips that could help prevent your hair from graying prematurely or your child’s hair from graying.

Prevention Tips

If you are looking to prevent your hair from graying prematurely or want to know how to reduce white hair, you can follow these tips:

• Make sure your kid follows a healthy, nutrient-rich diet.
• If you smoke, quit or do not smoke in the presence of your child as passive smoking can also cause premature graying.
• Address your child’s nutritional deficiencies after consulting a doctor.
• Find out the root cause of graying by consulting a doctor and avail treatment accordingly.

Infographic: Easy Remedies To Manage White Hair In Kids

Premature graying of hair has become quite common nowadays. So it is essential to nourish hair from a young age, but if you see gray hair on your child’s head it might cause some concern. Try following the home remedies mentioned in the article to treat this issue.

Some of these remedies might be difficult, but to know about easy home remedies, check out the infographic given below

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I confidently embrace my gray strands instead of feeling embarrassed about it?

Embracing your gray hair demands lots of efforts in transforming your mindset. You need to be able to appreciate its natural beauty and uniqueness. You can try experimenting with different hairstyles that can complement the subtle color. Daily positive affirmations and self-reminders that gray hair can symbolize wisdom and confidence, can gradually help build self-confidence.

Why does hair turn gray?

Graying hair is a natural part of aging. As you age, the pigment cells (melanocytes) in your hair follicles slowly die, which causes your hair to gray.

Which is the best shampoo to reduce white hair?

There are many brands selling shampoos intended to dye your hair black like Dexe and Vcare. However, it is recommended that you stick to natural alternatives to avoid any possible side effects.

Does stress cause white hair?

Yes, stress is one of the factors that may contribute to premature graying as it increases oxidative stress and damage within the body.

How do you produce more melanin?

You can help your body produce more melanin by following a healthy and well-balanced diet that includes lots of protein. Consuming vitamin-rich fresh fruits and vegetables can also help.s

Does everyone get white hair?

Yes, everyone eventually develops gray or white hair as they age. However, the age of onset of gray/white hair may vary from one individual to another.

Is it bad to pluck gray hair?

If there is only a strand or two of white hair, it is completely safe to pluck them off. However, plucking too many hair strands can increase your risk of developing an infection and scarring or may even lead to bald patches.

Does removing gray hair cause more?

No, removing gray hair doesn’t cause your other hair strands to become gray. It is only a myth.

Is premature white hair reversible?

Yes, premature white hair can be reversed if the cause is a specific nutritional deficiency or severe protein malnourishment (14). However, premature white hair caused by genetics may not always be reversible.

Why is my hair turning white instead of gray?

As hair ages, it starts producing less melanin. This makes your hair turn gray and eventually white. Your hair may have already crossed the initial stage of graying and probably is now turning white.

At what age hair turns white?

Most people may see their first white hair in their mid-thirties.

Illustration: Natural Remedies To Get Rid Of White Hair At A Young Age

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Discover effective ways to combat white hair and prevent premature graying. Gain expert advice on treatments and remedies to halt white hair growth in this comprehensive video.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Bhakti KapseMBBS

 

Dr. Bhakti Kapse is a General Practitioner with over 10 years of experience in family medicine. She obtained her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S) from Government Medical College, Nagpur. She is skilled in diagnosis and treatment of asthma, diabetes, hypertension, and infectious diseases and is well-known for patient service and clinical skills.

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Shaheen NaserHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Shaheen holds a postgraduate degree in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology from Bharathiar University. She is a Geneticist with proficiency in Biotechnology, Immunology, Medical Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Genetic Counseling.

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Eshna DasAssociate Editor

Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru.

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Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach.

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