Most people detect their first gray hairs in their 30s, and by their 50s, they have a fair amount. However, it’s not uncommon for that process to begin in your 20s, with a few gray hairs. Whether or not you get those “early” grays is nearly entirely determined by your genes.
Though doctors and scientists have yet to discover the specific cause, there are a few situations that can cause hair to grey prematurely.
1. The genetic component
If a person’s family has a history of premature greying, they are more likely to develop grey hair earlier in life.
2. Pharmaceuticals
Grey hair has been linked to pharmaceuticals such as chloroquine (used to treat malaria), mephenesin (a muscle relaxant), phenylthiourea (used in DNA testing), triparanol (used to lower cholesterol), and dixyrazine (used to treat various psychiatric illnesses).
3. Stress- Stress is something that can affect anyone at any time. The kind of stress you are going through will determine how your body feels and looks, as well as what kind of moods or behaviours arise in yourself when under this type of discomfort- whether it’s emotional, physical or both.
4. Smoking
The connection between smoking and premature gray hairs isn’t totally understood, but it has definitely been observed in studies for decades now. More recent research confirms that having gray hairs before the age of 30 is more common among smokers than the rest of the population.
5. Nutritional Deficiencies
A few nutritional deficiencies have been linked to premature grays. For instance, a vitamin B12 deficiency can cause hair loss and encourage gray hairs to form. This vitamin is found in eggs, meat, poultry, and dairy products. So, if you’re a vegan or vegetarian or otherwise limiting your protein intake you could be at a higher risk for B12 deficiency. Make sure to check in with your doctor if you think that’s the case.
