Premature greying can be an unsettling issue, one that leaves many feeling anxious and concerned about the appearance of silver strands long before expected. To shed light on this growing phenomenon, TheGlitz spoke with Vaibhav Mittal, Founder, Karmic Beauty, to explore the causes behind early greying and how to combat it naturally.
The ‘Greying Dread’ – Over to Vaibhav Mittal, Founder, Karmic Beauty
The Premature Greying Epidemic: A Growing Worry
What was once thought to be an issue of ageing, premature greying now occurs in individuals in their 20s and even teens at times! If you’ve noticed a white hair ahead of schedule, you’re not the only one. A 2023 Redseer report shows that 40% of young Indian adults have observed early greying, increasing by 15% yearly. Worldwide, research such as the International Journal of Trichology has attributed premature greying to oxidative stress, nutritional deficiencies, and lifestyle modifications.
So, what’s happening? And more importantly—how do we slow it down naturally?
What is causing this premature greying?
1. Nutritional Deficiencies
B12, copper, and iron are important vitamins synthesising melanin and should be included in your diet. Indian food lacks micronutrients,which results in greying.
2. Stress & City Lives
No myth here—stress genuinely affects your hair health and leads to hair turning grey. The stress hormone cortisol accelerates melanin loss, leading to premature greying. Professional and urban lifestyles expose us to increased stress, which is unfortunate for our hair.
3. Chemicals in Hair Care
Most shampoos and dyes have long used harsh sulfates, ammonia, and parabens, and these chemicals can destroy hair follicles. Shifting to gentle, natural products can slow this process.
The clean beauty fix: How to keep Greys at bay
1. Give Your Diet a Hair-Raising Boost
Include biotin-rich foods (almonds and spinach), omega-3-rich foods (flaxseeds and walnuts), and vitamin B12-rich foods (supplements, milk, or eggs) to naturally inhibit melanin production.
2. Choose Scalp-Friendly Haircare
Harsh chemicals remove hair from its oils, causing more pronounced greying. To keep strands healthy and strong, use sulfate-free, plant-based products with argan oil, hydrolysed keratin, and botanical extracts.
3. Embrace Herbal Hair Oils
Moroccan argan oil, cold-pressed coconut oil, and rosemary-infused hair treatments have all been scientifically proven to give hair the health and strength it needs to protect against premature greying.
As more Indians become aware of the long-term effects of toxic chemicals, the demand for clean, science-driven hair care is hot. According to a Nielsen study, India’s chemical-free and organic hair care market grew 24% in the last three years as consumers searched for alternatives to chemical-based products.
At Karmic Beauty, we believe that hair health starts with what goes in—both inside and out. It’s not reversing the clock but being smart about making decisions to maintain your hair in its natural, healthy state for decades.
The Takeaway: Smarter Hair Choices Today for Fewer Greys Tomorrow
Premature greying is not genetic—it’s a lifestyle problem of the modern age. The silver lining? You can halt the silver locks with a healthy diet, a soft hair care routine, and cleaner products. The next time you spot grey hair, don’t go ballistic—think twice before applying what’s on your head!
This is just the beginning of India’s clean hair revolution. With the demand for science-backed, natural solutions growing, professionals and brands must step up. Let’s decode the secret of hair well-being together.
TheGlitz Verdict:
Premature greying may be alarming, but it’s far from irreversible. Armed with the right knowledge and lifestyle changes, you can take control of your hair’s health and vitality. A balanced diet, stress management, and a clean beauty routine are your best defenses against those pesky greys. As the demand for natural, science-backed solutions continues to rise, it’s time to ditch the chemical-heavy products and embrace smarter, cleaner choices. The future of haircare lies in the balance between nature and science—and it’s never too early to start.
