Why Can Hair Be Gray Even Though He Is Still Young? This Is The Explanation

Illustration of gray hair (Freepic/krakenimages)

JAKARTA - Usually gray hair is identical to the elderly. But what if you are still young, white hair appears on your head? Don't panic. Although it sounds surprising, white hair at a young age is not a rare thing.

Human hair gets its color from pigments called melanin, which is produced by cells in hair follicles. Over time, melanin production can decrease and cause hair to lose color.

The result is that the hair turns gray or white. However, this condition can occur more quickly in some people due to various factors.

The following are the most common causes of gray hair at a young age, as reported by the Healthline page.

1. Genetics Factor

If your parents or grandparents have been gray from a young age, you are likely to experience it too. Genetic factors are one of the strongest causes of premature gray hair. Unfortunately, this is a factor that cannot be prevented. If you feel less confident, coloring your hair is one solution that can be tried.

2. Stress

Stress not only has an impact on mental and physical health, but can also accelerate the emergence of gray hair. A 2013 study found stress can reduce the number of punca cells in hair follicles, which then has an impact on the production of pigments. Scientifically stress can indeed accelerate the aging process of hair.

3. Autoimmune disease

Autoimmune conditions such as alopecia areaa or vitiligo can make the immune system attack the follicles of your own hair. As a result, hair pigment can be lost, even making hair fall out or grow back colorless.

4. Tiroid disorder

Tiroid is a small gland in the neck that regulates many body functions, including metabolism. If the thyroid is too active (hyperthyroidism) or too slow (hypothyroidism), the hormonal balance is compromised. This can affect hair health, including its color. This condition can affect melanin production, which eventually gives rise to gray hair earlier than it should be.

5. Lack of Vitamin B-12

Vitamin B-12 is important for healthy hair growth. If the body lacks this vitamin, the hair follicles can weaken and the production of melanin pigments is also disrupted.

According to experts, the B-12 deficiency is often associated with pernisiostic anemia, which is a condition where the body cannot absorb vitamin B-12 properly. As a result, hair can become weak and lose color.

6. Smoking

Research shows smokers tend to experience premature gray hair more often than those who don't smoke. One study even found a relationship between smoking and the appearance of gray hair before the age of 30.

Smoking narrows blood vessels and reduces blood flow to hair follicles. In addition, toxins in cigarettes can also damage pigment-producing cells. If you are a smoker and start seeing white hair appear, this could be the right time to stop.

If gray hair is caused by genetics, then the possibility to prevent or restore it is very small. However, if the cause is a health disorder or a lack of nutrition, this condition can be addressed.

For example, if gray hair appears due to thyroid disorders, hormone therapy can help restore hair color. Likewise with vitamin B-12 supplements, which can improve hair follicle health and increase melanin production.

However, if gray hair arises due to stress or smoking, there is no strong evidence that hair can return to color after stress is reduced or quit smoking.