Melanin is the pigment that gives hair its natural colour. The colour of hair is under the control of genetics. Genes and hormones control the action of melanocytes. Melanocytes are located at the base of the hair follicle where growth of new hairs starts during the anagen phase (growth phase) of the hair cycle. Melanin is only produced during anagen phase and will be switched off in the catagen and telogen phases (degradation and rest phases respectively). With age, the activity of melanocytes begin to decline and hair tends to start greying and turns white as sign of the absence of colouring by melanin.
There are several factors that can affect the production of melanin as well as causing hair loss. There exists a relationship between melanin and hair loss. There are some vitamins, particularly the b-vitamins, which are involved in the synthesis of melanin as well as maintaining the proper function of hair follicles. If such vitamins are deficient, hair starts to grey and thin fast. This will also cause the hair to quickly move out of the anagen phase much faster than normal, forcing it to enter the resting and shedding phase.
There are many products that can be used to boost melanin production by hair follicles. One such product is melancor. These products increase the lifespan of melanocytes thus slowing down greying of hair.
Some people tend to dye their hair the moment they see that it is beginning to grey or whiten. The dyes they use are chemical based. Some of the dyes can irritate the skin causing one to scratch and even damage hair follicles. This accelerates hair loss and causes baldness.
Since the loss of melanin in hair is natural, it is also ideal to treat the condition naturally. There are many natural remedies that can be used to treat greying and loss of hair. There are some herbal remedies that can be used to slow down the aging of hair. Herbal remedies improve blood flow to the scalp, making sure that hair follicles are supplied with enough oxygen and nutrients. When hair follicles are supplied with enough oxygen and nutrients, melanocyte activity will continue for a longer period, thus slowing down the onset of grey hairs.
Melanin loss in hair is also associated with stress which is often accompanied by hair loss. Therefore another way to treat melanin will be to get rid of stress. Stress can be controlled by inducing the body to relax. There are things like scalp massages. Scalp massages help relax the mind and promote free circulation of blood around the scalp. When blood circulates the scalp freely, hair follicles will easily be supplied with nutrients and oxygen which is necessary in the maintenance cellular function of hair follicles as well as melanocytes. This will ensure that melanin continues to be produced while hair retains its colour. It is also wise to keep an eye on the food we eat, for it may be contributing to our melanin and hair loss problem.
