CAUSES Of EARLY GRAY HAIR AND HOW TO HELP REDUCE TH
Typically, white people start going gray in their mid-30s, Asians in their late 30s, and Africans in their mid-40s. Half of all people have a significant amount of gray hair by the time they turn 50. But we discover today that there are many young people whose hair have turned gray rather too early.
Gray hair according to Jeffrey Benabio MD, a dermatologist " begin to grow when color-producing cells stop producing pigment (melanin). These pigment cells give your hair its color. But over time, hair follicles can lose pigment, resulting in white hair.
If you’re a teenager or in your 20s, you might find one or more strands of white hair. That is considered normal. However, there are those that grow considerable amount of gray hair very early that before they even turn 50 years, 60–70% of their hair have turned gray. This condition is considered abnormal and there are and there quite a number of factors responsible for this condition.
What are the causes of early gray hair?
GENETIC
Genetics makeup plays a big role in when (or if) you develop white hair. If you notice white hair at an early age, it’s likely that your parents or grandparents also had graying or white hair at an early age.
NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY
White hair at an early age can also indicate a vitamin B-12 deficiency. This vitamin plays an important role in your body. It gives you energy, plus it contributes to healthy hair growth and hair color.
A vitamin B-12 deficiency is associated with a condition called pernicious anemia, which is when your body can’t absorb enough of this vitamin. Your body needs vitamin B-12 for healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen to cells in your body, including hair cells. A deficiency can weaken hair cells and affect melanin production.
HEALTH CONDITIONS
Hormonal changes caused by a thyroid problem such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism may also be responsible for premature white hair. The thyroid helps control many bodily functions such as metabolism. The health of your thyroid can also influence the color of your hair. An overactive or underactive thyroid can cause your body to produce less melanin.
An autoimmune disease can also cause premature gray hair. This is when the body’s immune system attacks its own cells. In the case of alopecia and vitiligo, the immune system can attack hair and cause loss of pigment.
SMOKING
There is a connection between premature gray hair and smoking. One studyTrusted Source of 107 subjects found a connection between the “onset of gray hair before the age of 30 and cigarette smoking.”
It’s well-known that smoking cigarettes increases the risk for lung cancer and heart disease. The long-term effects, however, can go beyond the heart and lungs and affect hair. Smoking constricts blood vessels, which can reduce blood flow to hair follicles and cause hair loss. Additionally, toxins in cigarettes can damage parts of your body including your hair follicles, causing early gray hair.
STRESS
Stress can also affect your hair. A 2013 studyTrusted Source found a connection between stress and a depletion of stem cells in the hair follicles of mice. So if you’ve noticed a rise in your number of white strands, stress might be the culprit.
This theory might also explain why some world leaders appear to age or gray faster while in office.
CAN EARLY GRAY HAIR BE PREVENTED?
The ability to reverse or prevent white hair depends on the cause. If the cause is genetics, there isn’t anything you can do to prevent or permanently reverse the color change. In the case of health conditions, if you treat the underlying health problem, pigmentation may return, but there are no guarantees.
According to Valencia Higuera, if white hair occurs as a result of stress or smoking, there isn’t evidence to support the return of pigmentation after quitting smoking or reducing stress.
To ensure you don't contribute to the early growth of gray hair it is advisable you avoid stress and quit smoking. If you have found this article helpful, do well to share and also drop your comments below.
It’s well-known that smoking cigarettes increases the risk for lung cancer and heart disease. The long-term effects, however, can go beyond the heart and lungs and affect hair. Smoking constricts blood vessels, which can reduce blood flow to hair follicles and cause hair loss. Additionally, toxins in cigarettes can damage parts of your body including your hair follicles, causing early gray hair.
STRESS
Stress can also affect your hair. A 2013 studyTrusted Source found a connection between stress and a depletion of stem cells in the hair follicles of mice. So if you’ve noticed a rise in your number of white strands, stress might be the culprit.
This theory might also explain why some world leaders appear to age or gray faster while in office.
CAN EARLY GRAY HAIR BE PREVENTED?
The ability to reverse or prevent white hair depends on the cause. If the cause is genetics, there isn’t anything you can do to prevent or permanently reverse the color change. In the case of health conditions, if you treat the underlying health problem, pigmentation may return, but there are no guarantees.
According to Valencia Higuera, if white hair occurs as a result of stress or smoking, there isn’t evidence to support the return of pigmentation after quitting smoking or reducing stress.
To ensure you don't contribute to the early growth of gray hair it is advisable you avoid stress and quit smoking. If you have found this article helpful, do well to share and also drop your comments below.
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