Early White Hair: Myths, Facts, Causes and Prevention Tips

Introduction

Are you noticing strands of white hair while you’re still young? While it might be startling, it’s not necessarily a cause for concern. White hair at an early age isn’t always a reflection of your health condition but a combination of numerous factors. So, let’s dive into understanding this common yet often misunderstood issue.

Understanding the Reason of Early White Hair

The primary cause of white hair is a decrease in melanin production. This pigment is responsible for giving your hair its colour. When your hair follicles stop producing melanin, the result is colourless or ‘white’ hair.

The Causes of Early White Hair at a Young Age Include:

• Genetics: If your parents or grandparents started greying at an early age, you might too. Genetics significantly influence when and how extensively we develop white hair.
• Stress: Chronic stress can lead to many health problems, including early white hair. It’s suspected that stress affects the body’s capacity to produce melanin.
• Autoimmune Diseases: Certain conditions like alopecia areata and vitiligo cause the immune system to attack pigment cells in hair follicles, leading to white hair.
• Thyroid Disorders: Malfunctioning thyroid glands, whether due to hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, can affect melanin production and contribute to premature greying.
• Nutritional Deficiencies: Lack of essential vitamins like B12, B9, and D can result in pigment loss from your hair. Vitamin B12 is particularly crucial for healthy hair growth and colour.
• Smoking: Your smoking habit can lead to early white hair. The toxins in cigarettes can damage the hair follicles and reduce blood flow, both contributing to pigment loss.
• Oxidative Stress: When there’s an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in your body, it leads to oxidative stress. This condition can harm cells responsible for hair pigmentation and cause premature greying.

Also Read: Top Foods Rich in Vitamin B12

Common Myths About Early White Hair

Here are the common myths about early white hair to consider:

Myth 1: White Hair is Always a Sign of Old Age

Contrary to popular belief, white hair isn’t always an indication of old age. While it’s true that our hair tends to lose its pigment as we grow older, the onset of white hair can occur early due to various reasons. When you see someone with white hair at a young age, it’s often due to factors like genetics or underlying health conditions. So, if you’re dealing with white hair at a young age, don’t be alarmed. Age isn’t the only reason for white hair—it could be down to other factors.

Myth 2: Plucking One White Hair Causes More to Grow

It’s a common belief that if you pluck one white hair, more will grow back in its place. This is not true. When you pluck a hair from your scalp, it does not influence the colour of the hair that will eventually replace it. Plucking might harm the hair follicle and possibly prevent new growth altogether, but it won’t cause an increase in white hairs.

Myth 3: Stress is the Main Cause of White Hair

You might have heard that stress is what causes white hair at an early age. But is it true? While stress can indeed contribute to various health problems, including those related to hair, it isn’t the main cause of white hair. Stress-induced conditions like telogen effluvium could lead to shedding of pigmented hairs, making white hairs more visible. However, this doesn’t mean stress changes your hair colour overnight. Genetic and biological factors remain the primary causes of white hair.

Myth 4: White Hair Cannot Be Reversed

The final myth we’re busting today is the widely believed notion that once your hair has turned white, there’s no going back. However, this isn’t always the case. The truth is, while genetics play a significant role in hair colour, certain cases of white hair may be reversible. For instance, if the underlying cause is vitamin deficiency or thyroid disorders, then treating these conditions could potentially restore hair pigmentation. However, keep in mind that everyone’s body responds differently to treatment and there are no guaranteed results.

Facts About Early White Hair

Here are some of the facts about early white hair that you need to be aware of:

Fact 1: Genetics Play a Major Role

One key reason for white hair at an early age is your genetic makeup. Genetics play a crucial role in determining when and how rapidly you might start developing white hair. Scientific research has recognised certain genes, such as the IRF4 gene, which are involved in greying of hair. This particular gene is responsible for controlling melanin production – an essential pigment for maintaining our hair colour. If your family has a history of people developing white hair at a young age, there’s a higher likelihood that you may also encounter the same white hair problem.

Fact 2: Medical Conditions Can Contribute

There’s also an array of medical conditions that can contribute to what causes white hair at an early age. Autoimmune diseases like vitiligo and alopecia areata can lead your immune system to mistakenly attack the pigment-producing cells present in your hair follicles. Similarly, thyroid disorders can interfere with your hormonal balance, which can affect your hair pigmentation. Diseases like pernicious anaemia, which emerges due to vitamin B12 deficiency, can also be underlying causes of early white hair.

Fact 3: Nutritional Deficiencies

Nutritional deficiencies, especially a lack of essential vitamins and minerals, can lead to premature greying. Deficiency in vitamin B12, folate (B9), or vitamin D can lead to changes in hair colour. A balanced diet is crucial for maintaining healthy hair; if these nutrients are not consumed adequately, it can hasten the greying process.

Fact 4: Lifestyle Factors

Lastly, lifestyle factors too play a substantial role in causing early white hair. Habits such as smoking have been linked with an increased risk of premature greying. Furthermore, living under continuous stress may exacerbate hair fall and induce changes in hair colour. An unbalanced diet and lack of physical exercise can lead to overall deterioration of health, which can potentially affect your hair pigmentation. Therefore, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial to ward off early greying.

Prevention and Management Tips

Here are key tips for preventing and managing early white hair while supporting overall well-being:

Tip 1: Maintain a Balanced Diet

A well-balanced diet can help manage the white hair problem organically. Consuming food rich in certain vitamins and antioxidants plays a crucial role in maintaining hair health. Aim to include:

• Vitamin B12: This is found in foods like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products. A deficiency of this vitamin could be a reason for white hair.
• Folate (Vitamin B9): Leafy greens, legumes, and fortified cereals are excellent sources of this vitamin.
• Vitamin D: We can obtain this primarily from sunlight. It is also found in fatty fish and fortified foods.
• Antioxidants: Foods such as berries, nuts, and green tea are rich in antioxidants. They combat oxidative stress, which may cause white hair at an early age.

Tip 2: Stress Management Techniques

Chronic stress can disrupt overall health, including hair pigmentation. It is one of the common white hair causes at an early age. Consider incorporating these techniques into your daily routine:

• Mindfulness and Meditation: Practising mindfulness or meditation daily can help calm your mind.
• Exercise: Regular physical activity can boost your mood and reduce stress levels.
• Hobbies: Engaging in activities you enjoy, such as reading or gardening, can help manage stress.

Tip 3: Regular Health Check-Ups

Routine health check-ups with your family doctor can help identify any underlying issues that could contribute to early greying of hair. Conditions like thyroid disorders or vitamin deficiencies can be appropriately managed with timely diagnosis and treatment. Regular blood tests can also ensure that your nutrient levels are optimal.

Tip 4: Proper Hair Care

Good hair care practices can contribute significantly to maintaining the health and colour of your hair. Here are a few tips:

• Gentle Washing: Use a mild shampoo, and avoid over-washing your hair as it can strip it off its natural oils.
• Conditioning: Regularly moisturise your hair using a conditioner to keep it hydrated and manageable.
• Limit Heat Styling: Excessive use of heat styling tools can damage your hair and lead to premature greying.

Tip 5: Avoid Smoking

Smoking is a well-known cause of numerous health issues, including premature graying. Quitting smoking can improve your overall health and may help slow down the graying process. Consider seeking support from healthcare professionals or groups if needed.

Also Read: Natural Hair Dye for Grey Hair

Conclusion

While genetics certainly play a role in the onset of early white hair, remember that lifestyle choices and overall health management also carry significant influence. By adopting a balanced diet, practising stress management techniques, scheduling regular health check-ups, caring for your hair properly, and avoiding smoking, you can take proactive steps towards supporting your hair health. With these tips, it’s possible to delay the appearance of white hair and manage it effectively when it does appear.

FAQs

References

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6290285/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4830165/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3673399/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6029974/
• https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-stress-causes-gray-hair