Gray hair appears when the body stops producing melanin, the pigment that gives hair its black color. Gray hair is hair that has reduced pigment, making it less shiny and more dry. Gray hair often appears more in the temples and crown area.
Causes of premature gray hair
Genetic factors: If your parents have gray hair, then you are also at risk of experiencing premature graying.
Medication use: Some medications can cause hair loss and premature graying, such as lithium and methotrexate.
Smoking: Smokers are four times more likely to have premature gray hair compared to non-smokers.
Unhealthy diet: If you maintain a diet that is deficient in vitamins and minerals for a long time, you are at high risk of gray hair.
How to care for black and shiny hair
Proper hair drying: To keep your hair healthy, limit the use of heat on your hair as much as possible. You should gently squeeze your hair to remove excess water and then let it air dry. However, in some cases where you need to use a blow dryer, choose one with low heat settings.
Use coconut oil: Prepare half a lemon and a teaspoon of coconut oil, mix them together and massage onto your hair for 30 minutes, then rinse your hair with water. With this hair care method, you can quickly have shiny and black hair.
Use soapberry: Soapberries contain saponin compounds that have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-dandruff properties. Additionally, the flavonoids and saponaretin compounds in soapberries can reduce hair loss and prevent dandruff effectively. Simply roast the soapberries to release their fragrance, then boil them with water for 5-10 minutes. Use this water to wash your hair, and with consistent use, you will notice that your hair becomes blacker and shinier.
Use onion juice: Onion juice contains catalase enzymes that neutralize hydrogen peroxide, helping the hair regain its natural black color.
You can clean and peel an onion, blend it into a paste, and strain it to get good onion juice for your hair. When applying the onion juice to your hair, try to spread it evenly. Leave the solution on your hair for about 1 hour, then rinse it clean.
Potato peel: Potatoes contain a high amount of starch, and their peels act as a natural color enhancer, helping to maintain the color of your hair. This ingredient will gradually cover the gray hair on your head.
In addition to direct nourishment for your hair, to have black and healthy hair, you need to supplement your diet with foods rich in vitamins and minerals, as well as maintain a balanced lifestyle.