On a sunny morning, Ms. Liu noticed an extra gray hair above her forehead while arranging her hair.
She never thought she would dye her hair early, because she always felt like she was still young.
In the face of this sudden gray hair, she was a little confused and uneasy, and she even planned to pull out this "uninvited guest".
However, at the moment of plucking out the gray hair, she suddenly realized that maybe the gray hair was hiding more than she thought.
So, she decided to find out why her hair turned gray and whether it could be black again.
This is a confusion faced by many people in modern society, with the increasing pace of life and the increase in stress, more and more people are starting to develop gray hair early.
And for these people, the mystery behind the gray hair has always haunted them.
The color of the hair is mainly made up of the hair folliclesMelanocytes (Melanocytes)Definitely, melanocytes color our hair by synthesizing melanin.
As we age, these melanocytes gradually lose their activity, the synthesis of melanin slows down, and the hair gradually changes from black to gray and eventually to white.
Many people think that gray hair is a sign of aging, especially after the 30s.
However, the cause of gray hair is not just due to age, it is closely related to our lifestyle, mental state and genetic background.
Stress is one of the most common psychological burdens in modern society, and its impact on health has long been well known.
In fact, stress doesn't just affect our mood, it also directly affects the color of our hair.
In 2020, researchers at Harvard University published an article titled "Hyperactivation of sympathetic nerves drives depletion of melanocyte stem cells", which revealed how stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to the rapid depletion of melanocyte stem cells in hair follicles.
Due to the action of stress, melanocytes are consumed in large quantities in a short period of time, and as a result, the hair turns gray or gray.
This study provides us with a new perspective:When we are under intense stress for a long time, the color of our hair may change sooner than we expect.
Our daily diet has a direct impact on all aspects of our health, and hair is no exception.
Deficiencies in some key nutrients such as:Vitamin B12, folic acid, iron and copperetc., will affect the production of melanin, thereby accelerating the production of gray hair.
especiallyIron and copper, which play a vital role in the melanin synthesis process.
Without these nutrients, the melanin synthesis in the hair is insufficient, and the hair will gradually turn gray.
Therefore, we should not only focus on the external care of our hair, but also make sure that we are getting enough nutrients to maintain a healthy hair color.
If someone in the family develops gray hair early, then there are some key nutrients that are lacking like:Vitamin B12, folic acid, iron and copperetc., will affect the production of melanin, thereby accelerating the production of gray hair.
The offspring will have a higher chance of developing early gray hair.
This is because genetic factors have a direct impact on the function and number of melanocytes in hair follicles.
Studies have shown that people with gray hair in their family history are about six times more likely to develop gray hair than those without a family history.
This is probably the question that many people are most concerned about: Can gray hair regain its blackness?
We must recognize that once the function of melanin stem cells is lost or over-depleted, the pigment of the hair cannot be restored.
In this case, the recovery of gray hair is almost impossible.
However, if gray hair is caused by stress or nutritional deficiencies, it is possible that the melanocytes in the hair follicles can be re-energized after restoring a healthy diet or reducing stress, allowing the newly grown hair to regain its black color.
This means that some gray hair has the potential to "relapse", especially in the early stages.
In addition, if the gray hair is made ofCaused by increasing age, genetic factors or diseases, then the chances of recovering black are slim.
In this case, there are only some ways to delay the development of gray hair, but not to reverse the gray hair that has formed.
Although we can't completely avoid the appearance of gray hair, we can effectively delay its appearance and even improve the problem of gray hair to a certain extent through the following methods.
Reduce stress and maintain a positive mindset
As mentioned earlier, stress is an important trigger for gray hair.
The fast-paced life of modern society exposes many people to a lot of stress, which not only affects mental health, but also directly affects the health of hair.
Relaxation methods such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing can help reduce mental burden, improve physical and mental health, and reduce the increase in gray hair.
Maintain a balanced diet
We all know that diet plays an extremely important role in health.
If you want to delay the appearance of gray hair, you need to maintain a balanced diet to ensure that your body is getting enough nutrients.
In particular, nutrients such as iron, copper, and vitamin B12 play a key role in the synthesis of melanin.
If these nutrients are deficient, hair tends to turn gray.
Ensuring a high intake of foods rich in these elements can help maintain the natural black color of your hair.
Maintain a regular routine and avoid staying up late
Staying up late not only affects the body's metabolism, but also interferes with the normal function of the sympathetic nerves, which affects the synthesis of melanin.
In order to delay the appearance of gray hair, we should maintain a regular sleep schedule, make sure to get enough sleep every day, and give the body enough time to repair and self-regulate.
Scalp massage
Scalp massage stimulates blood circulation, enhances the supply of nutrients to the hair follicles, and helps maintain the health of the hair follicles.
Through gentle massage, it can promote the metabolism of hair follicles, enhance the synthesis of melanin, and delay the production of gray hair.
In the prevention and treatment of gray hair,Theory of Traditional Chinese MedicineIt also provides a unique perspective.
According to TCM theory, liver and kidney deficiencies may be one of the causes of gray hair.
The liver and kidneys mainly store essence, and if the essence is insufficient, it will lose its nourishment, and over time, the hair will turn white.
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that by nourishing the liver and kidneys and nourishing the hair roots, it can effectively delay the formation of gray hair.
For exampleHe Shou WuAs a traditional herbal remedy, it is widely used in the treatment of black hair.
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that Polygonum multiflorum has the effect of nourishing the liver and kidneys, and nourishing sperm and blood, so it is often used to delay the formation of gray hair.
Modern research has also found that Polygonum multiflorum does have certain benefits for hair health, especially in terms of improving blood circulation and promoting nutrient absorption by hair follicles.
Although the theory of traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes the differences in individual constitution and symptoms, and the treatment method varies from person to person, it provides us with a new way of thinking about the prevention and treatment of gray hair from the perspective of overall recuperation and balance of the internal and external environment.
The production of gray hair is not simply a sign of aging, it reflects some changes within our body, including mental stress, nutritional deficiencies, genetic inheritance and other factors.
By eating right, reducing stress, and maintaining a positive mindset, we can not only delay the development of gray hair, but also improve the health of our hair.
The traditional wisdom of Chinese medicine provides us with a unique perspective, reminding us to look at gray hair from a holistic perspective.
Regardless of whether gray hair can be regained to black or not, we should learn to accept and adjust our lifestyle so that every hair shines in health and beauty.
Disclaimer: The content of the article is for reference only, the storyline is purely fictional, intended to popularize health knowledge, if you feel unwell, please seek medical attention offline.