While it's nothing to be shameful about, if covering gray hair is something you'd prefer, a trip to the salon may no longer be necessary.

Hair expert Ghanima Abdullah explains, "Melanin is responsible for giving our hair its color via the pigmentation cells called melanocytes.

The single most important thing a person can do to get ahead of graying is to get control of their stress levels.

"An eLife study that was published last year profiled hair pigmentation patterns and quantified timescales of rapid graying transitions," Dr.

"One test subject experienced graying when they went through a painful separation, while gray strands of another's hair reverted back to its natural color during a relaxing, two-week vacation.

If psychological stress is causing hairs to lose pigmentation, imagine the invisible impacts it's likely having on the internal organs as well.".

Abdullah adds, "Gray hair could be due to an inflammatory reaction to stress instead of simply age.

Stress causes hair to grow grayer sooner because inflammation interferes with the normal pigmentation process.

"Vitamin and mineral deficiencies may cause premature graying, so check first if you're lacking any vitamins or minerals — specifically vitamins D and B12," Abdullah says.

As a result, there is increased oxidative stress and cell and tissue damage

Oxidative stress may affect melanocytes, which are the cells responsible for producing pigment

To treat oxidative stress, use hair care products that contain antioxidant vitamins like vitamins C, E and A."

According to Abdullah, "There are different causes for the problem of premature graying in smokers

Abdullah states, "Hair dyes and other hair care products often contain harmful chemicals, which can lead to premature graying of hair