Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. What Causes White Hair? Medically reviewed by Sarah Taylor, M. Causes Prevention Is white hair normal? What causes white hair at a young age? Can white hair be prevented? Read this next. Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, Ph. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.
Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D. What Is Vitiligo? Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M. What Is Vellus Hair? The root of every strand of hair is surrounded by a tube of tissue under the skin that is called the hair follicle say: FAHL-ih-kul. Each hair follicle contains a certain number of pigment cells. These pigment cells constantly make a chemical called melanin say: MEL-uh-nin that gives the growing shaft of hair its color of brown, blonde, black, red, and anything in between.
Melanin is the same stuff that makes our skin's color fair or darker. It also helps determine whether a person will burn or tan in the sun. The dark or light color of someone's hair depends on how much melanin each hair has. Any deficiencies of vitamin B-6, B, biotin , vitamin D , or vitamin E can contribute to premature graying. One report in the journal Development notes various deficiency studies on vitamin D-3, vitamin B, and copper and their connection to graying hair. It finds nutritional deficiencies affect pigmentation , suggesting color can return with vitamin supplementation.
A study reported in the International Journal of Trichology looked to factors related to premature graying in young Indians under 25 years of age. It found low levels of serum ferritin, which stores iron in the body, vitamin B, and the good cholesterol HDL-C were common in participants with premature hair graying. Race and ethnicity play roles, as well. Premature graying in white people can start as early as 20 years old, while a person can be as young as 25 years old among Asians, and 30 years in African-Americans populations, according to the same study.
While graying is mostly genetic, oxidative stress in the body may play a part when the process happens prematurely. Oxidative stress causes imbalances when antioxidants are not enough to counteract the damaging effects of free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that damage cells, contributing to aging and disease. Too much oxidative stress can promote the development of diseases, including the skin-pigment condition vitiligo. Vitiligo may also turn the hair white due to melanin cell death or the loss of cell function.
In fact, research published in showed a connection between hair abnormalities and thyroid dysfunction. White hair is also common in alopecia areata , an autoimmune skin condition that causes hair loss on the scalp, face and other parts of the body.
When the hair grows back, it tends to be white due to melanin deficiency. There are conflicting research studies on real-life stress, such as that caused by injury, leading to premature graying. One study from New York University, reported in Nature Medicine , finds that the cells responsible for hair color can be depleted when the body is under stress. Other studies indicate that while stress may play a part, it is only a small part of a bigger picture where disease and other factors contribute.
A study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology also demonstrated that smoking is linked to premature white hair in young men. Chemical hair dyes and hair products, even shampoos, can contribute to premature hair graying.
Many of these products contain harmful ingredients that decrease melanin. Hydrogen peroxide, which is in many hair dyes, is one such harmful chemical. Excessive use of products that bleach hair will also eventually cause it to turn white. If genetics or aging is the cause, nothing can prevent or reverse the process.
However, treating graying hair could allow color pigmentation to return if the loss is due to a medical condition. That's what Gambino has been doing. Her last color appointment was in March We're all just grinning through a process that's not particularly pleasant. Growing out grays is very much like growing out a terrible haircut—you're living with the shame of the 'ugliness' you don't really want there, but you know you have to go through it get to where you want to be.
Once your grays begin growing in, you might need to tweak your routine to complement both the new color and texture. A heavier conditioner will also help, since gray hair is inherently dry. Then consider blow-drying your hair instead of air-drying it. Sure, you might not want to go to the salon every week, but you can still experiment once you're silver. She dyed her ends a lighter blond "to keep the bottom brighter" so it looks more intentional.
Despite the challenges, though, women who've embraced their gray agree that it's worth it. For some, it's a work in progress. But across the board, those who've done it are happy with it. Collins agrees. Deanna Pai is a beauty writer in New York City. Follow her at deannapai.
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