This article was reviewed by Addie Ganik, MD, FAAD.
It’s pretty normal to find an occasional white or gray strand while styling our hair. If they’re few and far between, you might just tuck it away and get on with your day.
For some, however, there may be more than just one or two white hairs. Instead, it might feel like an unstoppable tide of white is moving across your scalp.
People typically associate white or gray hair with aging, so what causes white hair at an early age? And is there anything that can be done about it? Continue reading as we answer these questions and more.
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Why Does Hair Become White With Age?
Before we dive into what causes white hair at an early age, we should really discuss why hair becomes gray or white in the first place.
So, why does your hair turn gray, anyway? Your natural hair color comes from melanin. This is the same pigment that gives your skin its color, and everyone has different amounts and types of it. Melanin is made by pigment cells called melanocytes.
Melanocytes are found in hair follicles and are associated with keratinocytes, which produce keratin — the structural protein that makes up hair. While your hair is actively growing, melanocytes are hard at work depositing melanin into the emerging hair shaft.
Hair whitening or graying happens when there’s a decrease in melanin production, meaning growing hairs get less pigment. Hairs with low melanin appear gray in color, while those with no melanin at all will look white.
The exact reason why melanocytes stop making melanin isn’t well understood. What we do know is that a variety of genetic and environmental factors impact how melanocytes function (more on that shortly).
Additionally, factors like the aging process itself or biological stressors may affect melanocyte stem cells. If these stem cells can’t renew or develop into mature melanocytes, it can impact hair pigmentation, potentially leading to white hair.
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When Does Hair Typically Get White?
Hair graying is a natural part of aging. The medical term for this process is canities.
Exactly when you start losing your hair pigmentation can depend on genetics. So you may want to look to your parents or even older siblings to get a better idea of when you might start to go gray.
Research has found that the age hair graying starts can vary by race and ethnicity, likely due to genetic and biological differences. A 2021 review found that hair typically begins to gray in the mid-30s for white people, the late 30s for Asian individuals, and the mid-40s for those of African descent.
A commonly cited rule of thumb, known as the 50-50-50 rule, suggests that half of Caucasian populations will have 50 percent gray hair at age 50. However, this rule doesn’t account for the later onset of graying observed in Asian and African populations.
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What Causes White Hair at an Early Age?
Premature graying of hair occurs when hair begins losing its pigmentation earlier than expected.
But specifically when hair graying is considered premature can vary by ethnicity: before age 20 in white people, before age 25 in Asians, and before age 30 in people of African descent.
While the mechanisms behind graying from the natural aging process are fairly well understood, experts are still teasing out what causes early graying. There are a few factors that may contribute:
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Genetics
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Oxidative stress
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Nutritional deficiencies
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Chronic medical conditions
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Medications
Let’s examine these now.
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Genetics and White Hair at Young Age
If you’ve been noticing more white hairs lately, you may not need to look any further than your family. That’s because genetics play a big role in when exactly you start to go gray (or white).
A 2019 study surveyed 100 college students with early hair graying, 39 of whom reported a family history of it. Respondents were more likely to recall their father experiencing premature graying than their mother.
But the study is limited by the fact that it included only male participants, so it’s hard to generalize based on the responses. Moreover, reliance on self-reported data based on memory can lead to recall bias, especially since women often color their hair, making maternal graying harder to notice or remember.
Family history is a key factor in premature graying, so it’s important to consider input from both sides of your family.
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Oxidative Stress and Hair Aging
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are molecules naturally produced in the body as cells go about their typical functions. You may also see ROS referred to as free radicals.
While ROS play important roles in cellular messaging, they’re unstable molecules that can damage cells if they’re allowed to stick around. That’s where antioxidants come in. Antioxidants protect against the effects of ROS.
When there’s an imbalance between ROS and antioxidants — too many ROS and too few antioxidants — it leads to oxidative stress. This can result in damage to your body’s tissues and is associated with aging, including hair aging.
One study found high levels of hydrogen peroxide, a type of ROS, and significantly reduced levels of antioxidants in graying hair follicles. A subsequent 2014 study further confirmed these findings, showing that reduced antioxidant activity in the follicles of graying hair contributed to oxidative stress, which impaired the function of pigment-producing melanocytes.
What causes oxidative stress? The short answer: a lot of stuff. Examples include:
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Poor diet
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Smoking
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Alcohol consumption
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Chronic stress
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Environmental factors like exposure to sunlight, pollution, and toxins
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Chronic health conditions that cause inflammation
But what about premature graying? A 2016 survey study on young adults with premature hair graying found associations between the condition and several factors, including alcohol consumption, chronic health conditions, family history, and emotional stress.
Many of these factors are linked to oxidative stress, so increased oxidative stress may play a role in premature graying.
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Nutritional Deficiencies and Early-Onset White Hair
Deficiencies in certain nutrients have also been associated with premature graying and loss of hair pigmentation. These include nutrients like:
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Calcium
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Copper
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Vitamin B12
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Vitamin D
Addressing these deficiencies with supplementation may help improve hair pigmentation in some cases.
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Chronic Medical Conditions and White Hair
Several chronic medical conditions can contribute to early white hair as well.
Two notable conditions are the autoimmune diseases vitiligo and alopecia areata:
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Vitiligo. In this condition, the immune system mistakenly attacks melanocytes. This leads to loss of skin pigmentation. Loss of pigmentation can also affect the hair.
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Alopecia areata. This is a type of hair loss where the immune system attacks hair follicles. Over time, lost hair may regrow. Temporary or permanent white hair regrowth has been reported in some people with alopecia areata.
Research has also shown that thyroid hormones act on hair follicles in a few ways, including stimulating melanin production. That’s why having an underactive thyroid (called hypothyroidism) may lead to gray or white hairs as well.
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Medications and Premature Hair Graying
Certain medications might also contribute to premature graying of hair. They do this by inhibiting specific receptors on melanocytes, leading to a decrease in melanin production.
Examples of medications that can have this effect include several types of cancer drugs, antiandrogens, epilepsy medications, and antimalarial drugs.
While some cases of medication-induced graying may be reversible once the medication is discontinued, others (particularly those caused by long-term use of certain drugs like chemotherapy agents) may lead to irreversible depigmentation.
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What Can You Do About White Hair at an Early Age?
If you’re noticing an increasing number of white hairs, you may be wondering if there’s anything you can do about it. In some cases, you might be able to reverse premature gray or white hair.
For instance, if your prematurely white hair is due to a vitamin B12 deficiency, you might have success restoring your hair color by using vitamin B12 supplements. Similarly, treating hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) could help slow premature graying.
A healthcare provider can use blood tests to see if a nutrient deficiency or an underlying medical condition may be contributing to an increase in white hairs.
Since oxidative stress can contribute to a loss of hair pigmentation, you can also try the following to reduce its effects on your hair:
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Eating a healthy, balanced diet
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Increasing your intake of antioxidant-rich foods, such as berries and other fruits, vegetables, and beverages like coffee and tea
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Finding effective ways to reduce stress in your everyday life
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Drinking alcohol in moderation or not at all
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Quitting smoking
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Protecting your hair from the sun, such as by wearing a hat during the sunniest parts of the day
Sometimes, however, white hair isn’t avoidable, even at a young age — thank you, genetics! There’s no shame in coloring your hair. But if you’re not into using hair dyes to cover it, why not embrace it? Some silvery white or gray strands can add dimension to your locks.
Gray or white hair can be drier and more prone to damage. Whether you choose to color your hair or not, it’s important to take proper care of it. Get pointers from a professional on how to care for it to keep it looking great.
A dermatologist or trichologist (scalp specialist) is a great place to start, but you can also ask your stylist. They can give you hair care tips and recommend hair products like gentle shampoos and conditioners for optimal hair health.
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What Causes White Hair at Early Age: Final Thoughts
What causes white hair at an early age, or what causes gray hair in your 20s? Here’s the TL;DR:
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Normal hair graying typically starts in your late 20s or 30s, depending on your race and ethnicity. Premature graying of hair begins before that.
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Many factors can cause hair to gray prematurely. These can include genetics, environmental and lifestyle factors, and some medical conditions.
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Early whitening of hair might be able to be reversed or slowed if it’s due to a nutrient deficiency or medical condition.
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Certain lifestyle changes can help promote healthy hair and possibly slow graying. Aim to eat a balanced diet, reduce stress, limit alcohol, and quit smoking.
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Embracing your white hair is always an awesome option. Just remember to care for it properly.
On a final note, graying or whitening hair is often just part of the aging process, regardless of when it starts.
However, if you notice rapid graying over a short period, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
This article originally appeared on Forhers.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org
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