What causes premature graying of hair?

Premature graying of hair before the age of 30 can be caused by stress, poor nutrition, excessive smoking, or environmental factors.

Normally, hair begins to turn gray around age 30 because melanocytes slow down and produce less melanin (the pigment that gives hair its color). However, in some people, graying occurs earlier than usual. Here are some factors that can lead to this condition.

Stress

Stress symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, anxiety, high blood pressure, and changes in appetite can reduce the number of stem cells in hair follicles, leading to premature graying. Stress also triggers the release of the hormone cortisol, which inhibits melanin production, causing hair to lose its natural color and turn gray prematurely.

Nutritional deficiencies

Diets lacking ferritin, calcium, and vitamin D3 all affect hair. Scientists have also found that low levels of copper, zinc, and iron contribute to this condition.

A vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause premature graying of hair. This deficiency can easily lead to pernicious anemia. In this case, the body cannot absorb the vitamin, healthy blood cells are not produced, causing oxygen deficiency in the cells, affecting melanin production.

Premature graying of hair can appear in the 20s and 30s. Photo: Freepik

Hereditary

According to research from University College London (UK) and the University of Oviedo (Spain), gray hair may be due to the IRF4 gene. This gene is involved in regulating the production and storage of melanin, the pigment that determines hair, skin, and eye color. The study, published in 2016, used data from DNA samples of more than 6,000 people in Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, and Peru.

If your parents have premature gray hair, you are at a higher risk of experiencing the same problem. Certain genetic conditions can also lead to premature gray hair.

Smoking

According to a 2013 study published by the University of Jordan (USA), smoking habits and premature graying of hair before the age of 30 are closely linked. The 2013 study involved over 200 participants.

Scientists explain that hair color depends on the pigment melanin produced by melanocytes. Smoking can generate a large amount of reactive oxygen species, leading to increased oxidative stress and damage to melanin-producing cells. The toxins in cigarettes also damage hair follicles, causing premature graying.

living environment

Pollution and ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can create oxidative stress, which is linked to many different forms of aging. This can lead to a buildup of hydrogen peroxide in hair follicles and cause graying.

Prolonged exposure to chemicals in hair products and harsh hair treatments can damage hair follicles. In the long term, this disrupts melanin production, leading to gray hair.

Huyen My (According to The Guardian, Health.com )

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