White hair is a part of normally growing older. The loss of melanin over time can be blamed for this, as it is the pigment that gives our hair its color. However, some individuals might start seeing the appearance of grey or white at an early age because of factors other than ageing, which includes genetics, stress, or other underlying health issues. In this blog, let us explore the reason for white hair before the appropriate time and how to combat the effects of premature greying.
However, why does hair turn white?
Our scalp and the whole body is covered with tiny holes called hair follicles. This hair follicle contains a cell called melanocyte which imparts colour to your hair with a pigment called melanin.
Over time, these hair follicles produce fewer and fewer melanocytes which means the hairs lose their pigment, turning silver, grey, and white as you age.
When white hairs are considered early?
Some studies have shown for both men and women the first sign or apaprience of white hairs may occur at the onset of 40. But the location varies a lot for both sexes. Men seem to get the first sprout of greys in the temple area whereas women see them pop up sound the forehead first.
Almost everybody gets some white or grey hairs by the time they turn sixty; it is a part of ageing, which is normal. However, when the appearance of these silver streaks can be called too early, demons largely depend on the genetics of an individual.
Here, we have some interesting observations from some recent studies that have shown that gray or white hair is considered premature if it appears before the age of 30 for black people, age 25 for Asian descent, and age 20 for white people. Yes, it can vary racially.
However, the reasons can be more varied, so keep reading to learn more about them.
- Genetics
Your genetic makeup plays a big role in determining if you will suffer from certain conditions as your ancestors did. If your parents or grandparents have a history of premature greying in hairs then your genes should be blamed. your genes are responsible for the functioning of the pigment cells which will directly affect how many years you will get to enjoy your naturally black, brown, or darker shades of hair.
- Smoking
Researchers have shown that skin can inevitably cause grey hair before its time. It increases the risk of other conditions like lying, cancer, and heart disease, and long-time smoking can adversely affect the condition of premature greying if you already have tendencies of it.
- Stress
Stress seems to be an inseparable part of our modern lifestyle; we are constantly hustling to achieve our goals in both personal and professional lives, but amidst all these, one thing is to get away from our grip, which is good health. Your hair will also pay the price of excessive stress. Stress has a heavy impact on the pigment cells, which triggers early white hairs.
- Vitiligo
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease that causes the skin to lose its pigments. Almost 1% of the world’s population suffers from this condition. This disease also affects the parts of the body that have hair, turning the hair white or blonde or leaving it with no pigment at all.
- Thyroid disorders
Hypopthryorisidm or hyperthyroidism are two abnormal conditions of the thyroid gland. They occur when the gland secretes excessive or very little thyroid hormones, which are responsible for restoring the hormonal balance of the whole body. When the level of thyroid in your blood is too high or low, it affects the production of melanin, which will impart some consequences to the color of your hair.
- Autoimmune disease
Many autoimmune dosages can cause premature greying of hours, conditions like vitiligo pr aloc[apecia where the body’s immune system attacks its cells and causes the loss of pigment impacting cells like melanocytes which creates the pigment called melanin.
- Vitamin deficiencies
The appearance of white or grey hairs at an early age can be the most definitive sign of vitamin B-12 deficiency. Do you know which vitamin deficiency causes hair loss or premature greying? The big boss of all vitamins is Vitamin B-12. It gives you energy and contributes to healthy hair growth and hair color.
Vitamin B-12 deficiency can be associated with a condition called pernicious anemia when your body is unable to absorb the required nutrients.
- Oxidative stress
Oxidative stress refers to the condition when your body is imbalanced between free radicals and antioxidants. Free radicals are harmful free molecules that can cause serious diseases and ageing. The imbalance prevents the anti-oxidants from counter-attacking the damaging effects of free radicals. Studies have shown that oxidative stress is also a big contributor to the ageing process of hair follicles.
- Environmental factors
Exposure to sun rays and excessive ultraviolet rays can cause premature greying of hairs. The pollutants present in the air and harmful chemical volatile in the air cause early greying and unforeseen damage to hair follicles, which causes untimely ageing of follicles. Hence, protecting your hair from these harmful r]tozins using UV protection, hasta, scarfs, and an umbrella can be small but effective steps to enjoy better-looking dark hair for some years more.
Conclusion
So, if you are also suffering from premature greying or finding subtle hints of silver around your temples or your forehead area it is time you delve deeper to understand the cause behind it. Learning about the cause will eventually help you to stop or reverse the constitution in most cases.
