How Smoking Speeds Up the Graying of Hair

Graying of hair is a normal occurrence once you start getting older. Typically, gray hair starts appearing in your 30s or 40s. However, some people can experience it much earlier in life. Some start seeing gray hair as early as their teen years. This can be due to multiple factors, however, one of the most notorious causes for premature graying is smoking. Multiple studies have been done correlating early appearance of gray hair and smoking. Read on to find out how exactly smoking accelerates the graying process.

The Role of Melanin in Hair

Melanin is responsible for the natural color of our hair. There are two main types of melanin that determine hair color, eumelanin (black and brown pigment) and pheomelanin (red and yellow pigment). Different amounts and combinations of these types of melanin determine what your natural hair color is. Aging can decrease melanocyte activity which leads to graying. However, this also happens much earlier and faster for smokers.

How Does Smoking Affect Hair?

Introduction of Toxins and Free Radicals into the Body

Cigarettes contain thousands of chemicals, including nicotine and carbon monoxide, which enter the bloodstream and cause oxidative stress throughout the body, including the hair follicles. This can also bring up medical issues that can cause the acceleration of gray hair.

Oxidative Stress and Damage to Melanocytes

Oxidative stress occurs when excess free radicals damage cells. It accelerates the aging process in the body which can cause health issues as well as signs of aging to appear much earlier. Oxidative stress causes damage to melanocytes which reduces the hair’s ability to maintain its natural color.

Nicotine’s Effect on Blood Circulation

Nicotine constricts blood vessels, reducing the oxygen and nutrients that reach hair follicles. When follicles lack proper nutrition and oxygen, melanin production and hair growth slows down leading to faster graying and hair loss.

Damage to Hair Follicle DNA

Smoking causes genetic mutations that can affect melanocyte activity. When the DNA of these cells is damaged, they may permanently lose their ability to produce melanin. This can cause gray hair to be permanent, as well.

Other Factors Contributing to Premature Graying of Hair

Stress 

High-stress levels can impact melanocyte activity. It can also cause oxidative stress which hastens the aging process. Stress also messes with the immune system and nutrient absorption which can affect melanin production.

Poor Diet 

A lack of essential nutrients such as vitamin B12, iron, and copper can contribute to premature graying. This can be caused by eating too many empty, junk foods. It can also be caused by your body just not being able to absorb certain nutrients effectively.

Pollution and Environmental Toxins 

Exposure to smoke and pollutants can cause oxidative stress and damage on the hair. When combined with smoking, these factors lead to faster hair graying and hair loss.

How to Prevent Premature Graying

Quit Smoking

Quitting smoking benefits not only your hair but also your overall health. Over time, blood circulation to the hair follicles can improve, reducing oxidative stress. If you’ve started graying, it’s not too late to restore your hair’s original color by kicking the habit.

Maintain a Healthy Diet

Avoid eating empty junk foods and opt for whole foods that contain lots of nutrients. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Choose things like chicken, beef, leafy greens, veggies, and berries. Delicious and still nutritious.

Use the Right Hair Products

Make sure that you are using the right products for your hair. Using the wrong products with damaging ingredients can be a hidden killer for your hair. Look for products with natural ingredients that are gentle on your hair. Avoid harsh chemicals like sulfates, formaldehyde, parabens, and silicones.

Manage Stress

Stress management techniques are important for maintaining your natural hair color as well as your overall health so it’s essential that you learn to handle things. Don’t let the stress get to you and make sure that you are practicing self-care. Take breaks, do things you enjoy, find hobbies that you are passionate about, and spend time with people you love.

How Can Mayraki Anti-Grey Hair Treatment Help?

The Mayraki Anti-Grey Restoring Treatment is designed to support the natural pigmentation of hair. It contains ingredients that help support melanin production to restore the hair’s natural color, strengthen hair follicles to prevent hair thinning, and protect against oxidative stress by fighting free radicals with powerful antioxidants.

Ditch the Grays

Smoking is one of the leading causes of premature graying of hair due to oxidative stress, melanocyte damage, and reduced blood circulation to the scalp. While its effects cannot be entirely reversed, quitting smoking, maintaining proper nutrition, and using suitable products like the Mayraki Anti-Grey Restoring Treatment can help preserve a youthful appearance of hair.

If you want to keep your natural hair color, it is essential to take care of your health and avoid harmful habits like smoking. Making the right lifestyle choices will not only benefit your hair but also your overall well-being.