Premature Graying: Causes of Graying at a Young Age

At my most recent hair appointment to get my highlights and hair color done, my stylist noticed "gray highlights." Needless to say, I won't be letting my hair color go natural any time soon! Since I only recently turned 24 years old, however, I was a little bit surprised. If you're graying at a fairly young age like me, you may be wondering why this is happening. Here are some of the possible causes of premature graying to be aware of.

What's an Early Age for Graying?

The average time for a person to gray ultimately depends on their race. According to Web MD, Caucasians generally begin graying in their mid-30s, African-Americans/blacks begin graying in their mid-40s and Asians begin aging in their late 30s. Caucasians who begin graying in their early 20s and African-Americans who begin graying in their early 30s are considered to be graying prematurely. It is not unheard of for people to begin graying in their teenage or childhood years.

Causes of Premature Graying

Generally, the most common cause of premature graying is genetic. Men and women who have a family member who grayed at an early age are more likely to also begin graying at an early age as well. This is thought to be the most common cause of premature graying, but what if you're like me and don't have a family member who began graying at an early age?

When my hairstylist first spotted my gray hairs, she referred to them as "stress highlights." Stress is often thought to be a contributing factor of gray hair, but science has yet to prove that there is any link between the two. That said, many people believe that presidents tend to gray quicker due to the high levels of stress that they have to endure while they are in office. Stress can also lead to hair loss, so it makes sense that it could also cause graying.

Nutrient and vitamin deficiencies can play a role in premature graying. Vitamins B-12, B -9, B-6 and vitamin D are all thought to be linked to gray hair at an early age. According to my hairstylist, a copper deficiency can also play a role in premature graying. I suspect that this is my own personal cause of graying at a young age, as I have not taken daily multivitamins until now.

A number of conditions have been linked to premature graying. Thyroid conditions, alopecia areata, vitiligo, and Werner syndrome can all cause premature graying, according to Web MD. While graying at a young age has also been linked to low bone density, this is thought to be due to other risk factors, such as race.

There are a number of possible causes of premature graying. Although it is generally thought to be linked to genetics, certain conditions can also cause men and women to gray at a young age. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you suspect that you may have a condition related to premature graying.

Source:

Web MD, "Premature Graying: Reasons, Options."