{"id":11078,"date":"2024-05-19T01:20:53","date_gmt":"2024-05-19T01:20:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topat10.com\/?p=11078"},"modified":"2024-05-19T01:20:53","modified_gmt":"2024-05-19T01:20:53","slug":"all-about-premature-grey-hair-why-it-happens-and-can-you-reverse-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topat10.com\/?p=11078","title":{"rendered":"All about premature grey hair, why it happens and can you reverse it?"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

Premature grey hair is when your hair turns grey or white in your 20s. It can be due to genetics, stress or other underlying conditions.<\/p>\n

\n

Even a single strand of silver or grey hair can put you in a tizzy, especially if it happens before your time! When hair starts to lose melanin, it appears white or grey. However, if you are young and have premature grey hair, it might be your genetics at play or a health condition. While there are ways that your hair can restore its pigmentation, identifying the cause behind premature grey hair is very important. Read on to learn the causes of premature white hair and how to prevent it.<\/p>\n

What is premature grey hair?<\/h2>\n

Premature grey hair, also known as premature greying or premature canities, refers to where individuals experience the greying of hair at an earlier age than the typical age bracket of late years. \u201cWhile some degree of greying is a natural part of ageing, premature white hair can occur as early as in one\u2019s teens or twenties,\u201d says dermatologist Priyanka Kuri<\/a>. A study, published by the International Journal of Trichology<\/a>, states that both genetics as well as other factors such as vitamin deficiencies can result in premature grey hair.<\/p>\n

What is the average age for grey hair<\/h2>\n

When you hit your 30s or 40s, people\u2019s hair naturally begins to turn grey or white. It comes with the process of ageing and because melanin production in the body decreases gradually. However, if hair turns white or grey before the age of 20, it is usually a case of premature white hair or premature grey hair. \u201cWhile it is very normal for an aged person to have stark white hair, if it happens before the right time, there might be a need for alarm,\u201d says Dr Kuri.<\/p>\n

What causes premature grey hair?<\/h2>\n

1. Genetics<\/h3>\n

Premature greying<\/a> often runs in families, suggesting a genetic predisposition to the condition. According to this study, published in the International Journal of Trichology<\/a>, premature grey hair happens without any pathology or diagnosis, and is said to be inherited. So if you have noticed white or grey hair at a young age, it is possible that your father or grandfather experienced it at that age too.<\/p>\n

2. Stress<\/h3>\n

Prolonged stress<\/a> has been associated with early onset of grey hair. Stress hormones can disrupt melanin production, leading to premature grey hair. The National Institute of Health<\/a>\u2019s National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) and other NIH components funded a study to determine how stress can impact premature white hair. In this mice study, the mice were exposed to different stress such as mild, short-term pain, psychological stress, and restricted movement. All of these led to a decrease in melanin.<\/p>\n

\n

Also Read<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\"Best<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"A<\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Premature grey hair can be caused by genetics, stress, as well as smoking. Image courtesy: Adobe stock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3. Nutritional deficiencies<\/h3>\n

Insufficient intake of specific vitamins and minerals, notably vitamin B12, iron, copper, and zinc, may play a role in the development of premature greying. A deficiency in vitamin B12, vitamin D3, as well as calcium, can cause premature white hair, states this study, published in the International Journal of Trichology<\/a>.<\/p>\n

4. Smoking<\/h3>\n

Smoking can accelerate the greying process due to the harmful effects of smoking on hair follicles and melanin production. A study, published in the Indian Dermatology Online Journal<\/a>, observed 207 participants, who were divided into two groups \u2013 premature hair greying and normal hair greying. It was seen that there were more smokers in the group of premature hair greying. Therefore, there is a direct link between premature hair greying and cigarette smoking.<\/p>\n

5. Certain medical conditions and chemical exposure<\/h3>\n

Certain medical conditions like thyroid disorders, vitiligo<\/a>, and autoimmune diseases can cause premature greying. Exposure to harsh chemicals in hair products, environmental pollutants, and certain medications can damage hair follicles and accelerate greying as well.<\/p>\n

How to prevent premature grey hair<\/h2>\n

Can premature white hair be prevented? Yes, it can. Although it may not be possible to stop premature greying completely, taking preventive measures can help slow it down and keep your hair healthy overall. Also seeing a healthcare provider or dermatologist can assist in the identification of underlying medical conditions contributing to early greying and providing treatment for them. However, if the cause is genetics, then there is no way to prevent it.<\/p>\n