White hair happens when your hair follicles lose melanin, the pigment that gives your hair color. If your hair is turning white at a younger age, it could be caused by genetics or an underlying health condition....CONTINUE READING
What might be the reason for hair going white at a young age? “The three most common causes for white hair at a young age are genetics, illness and stress.
Premature greying is most commonly due to our genes as these determine how many pigment producing cells (melanocytes) we have available to us,” explains Eleanore. “At the end of each hair cycle our melanocytes are replaced from a finite number of stem cells, and after many hair cycles these can get used up and follicles are left with their pigment production depleted.
Hormonal changes caused by a thyroid problem — such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism — may also be responsible for premature white hair. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck. It 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.
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.
3.Oxidative Stress
Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause damage to cells, including melanocytes, which are responsible for producing the pigment melanin that gives color to our hair. When melanocytes become damaged or are unable to produce sufficient melanin, the hair loses its color and turns white. Factors such as exposure to pollution, UV radiation, smoking
, and a poor diet can increase oxidative stress, leading to premature graying.
There’s also a link between premature white hair and smoking. One 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 white hair.
The appearance of white hair at a young age can be a distressing experience, as it may challenge one’s self-image and societal expectations.
