For centuries now, gray hair has been considered one of the first signs of aging. However, there are several people who start graying as soon as they reach their 20s and 30s. This often gives them a much older look, which is why this phenomenon is known as premature graying. The answer to what causes grey hair in younger persons has been justified by increased levels of stress. However, gray hair is not necessarily caused by old age or stress; there could be several other causes of gray hair. Most people blame their jobs, kids, hectic lifestyles and other such factors as being the prime causes of premature gray hair.
What causes gray hair?
There could be several reasons that your hair turns gray much before you expect it to. Given below are some of the most common premature gray hair causes:
• Hair color in most people is generated in more or less the same way. Human hair is white initially, but cells known as Melanocytes, which are present in the hair follicles, generate the pigments that give the hair its color. The main pigment that gives the hair its color is known as Melanin. A higher level of Melanin in the hair means that the hair will be darker in color, while lower a level means that the hair will be lighter. The hair turns transparent if the cells stop producing melanin, making it appear like gray hair.
• At times, another one of the common gray hair causes could be the buildup of hydrogen peroxide. Usually, the human body produces hydrogen peroxide naturally. However, excessive amounts of it could interfere with the function or the level of melanin.
• The deficiency of Vitamin B-12 could lead to a disease known as pernicious anemia, which has been associated with a decrease in the production of melanin. Therefore one of the causes of gray hair could be the deficiency of Vitamin B-12. However, the deficiency of Vitamin B-12 is quite unlikely, unless a person is following a strict vegetarian diet.
• Studies have revealed that smokers are four times more prone to gray hair, than non smokers. Passive smokers tend to gray equally fast too.
• Premature gray hair in teenagers or young adults could be caused by thyroid imbalances, which unfortunately goes undetected for years.
• There have been reports of people getting premature gray hair overnight, after undergoing a major shock or trauma. However, most experts question the time frame involved in such incidents.
• Several people may gray at an early age, due to genetic factors.
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