Gray hair in young children can be caused by stress and smoking

Just like skin color, everyone's real hair color can be different because it is influenced by the amount of melanin or the coloring pigment in the hair. The more melanin you have, the darker your hair will be. So, what causes parents to have gray hair that is characteristic of grayish ash? Moreover, why do young people turn gray, even though they are not yet old? This article will discuss everything about gray hair.

Why does gray hair appear?

Many people think of gray hair as hair that turns gray or white. In fact, gray hair is new hair that grows gray or white due to the reduced melanin content in the hair.

Hair melanin levels will decrease as the body ages. The fewer pigment cells in the hair follicle, the new hair that grows will turn gray or silver in color. The older you get, the more pigment hair cells will die so that less melanin is produced. Eventually, your gray hair will turn completely white. Most of us will start graying around the age of 30 years and probably will eventually go completely white once we turn 50 years old.

Is it normal for gray hair to appear at the age of 20?

Apart from the "U" factor, the appearance of gray hair in young children can also be influenced by the genetic inheritance of the parents. If you have a history of premature graying in your family tree then you are at risk for the same.

The appearance of gray hair can also be accelerated by hair damage due to environmental exposure. For example, exposure to air, water, or detergent chemicals in shampoo or hair dye. The reaction of melanin with acids darkens the hair color, while the reaction with alkalis can lighten the color. In addition, sunlight can directly affect hair color. Sun UV radiation can reduce the amount of melanin pigment and can whiten hair fibers.

In rare cases, premature graying can be triggered by health problems such as obesity, anemia, metabolic disorders, thyroid disease, problems with the pituitary gland, or autoimmune diseases that affect the skin and hair, such as alopecia or vitiligo.

Does smoking trigger gray hair?

Smoking is not a direct cause of gray hair growth. However, age and genetic factors still play the biggest role in this hair color change. However, a study has found an association between smoking habits and the appearance of gray hair before the age of 30 years.

Does stress trigger gray hair?

Until now, there are not many studies that prove a relationship between stress and the appearance of gray hair. However, a study found that stress can accelerate the appearance of gray hair. The study found that melanin-producing cells were lost when exposed to stress-causing hormones, although that didn't make your hair all white.

Is it okay to pull out the gray hair?

Better not. The habit of pulling gray hair can damage the follicles, nerves and hair roots which can lead to infection. The habit of pulling out gray hair can also make your hair prone to thinning, so that more gray hair will appear, even though the amount of gray hair that appears in the hair is actually still.

How to prevent gray hair?

The appearance of gray hair cannot be prevented, because gray hair is an aging process which is also determined by genetic factors. However, you can still prevent the appearance of gray hair at a young age which is caused by your lifestyle. If you want to prevent the appearance of gray hair at a young age, you need to pay attention to your lifestyle, namely by avoiding smoking, a balanced diet that is rich in antioxidants such as salmon, green vegetables, nuts, and reduce stress. It is also important to treat your hair with a variety of treatment methods to keep the crown of your head looking healthy and shiny.