Hair turning white is usually a sign that we are getting old. But there are some people who experience white hair discoloration at an early age. People often think that people who have gray hair at an early age are often due to stress and irritability. Though most of the factors that influence the appearance of gray hair in adolescence are due to genetic factors. "There is not much that can be done when genetic factors trigger something unusual that happens to our bodies.*
The process of graying is scientifically due to the fact that the follicles which contain pigment cells that produce Melanin (a substance that produces natural moisture and gives color to hair) begin to decrease, so the hair will begin to lose moisture and its color.
"If a parent or grandparent develops white hair at a young age, it is likely that the offspring will also experience it.* - David Bank, director of the Center for Cosmetic Dermatology
Gray growth at a young age is also called premature graying. Here are the things that affect the growth of gray hair at a young age besides genetic factors, including:
• Race and ethnicity, generally white-gray race between 35 years of age. African Americans are in their mid 40s, and Asians start in their late 30s.
• Nutritional deficiencies, especially lack of consumption of foods containing B6, B12, biotin, vitamin D & vitamin E will cause gray hair at a young age, hair loss, as well as the formation of new gray hair starting when it grows on the roots. Research published in the International Journal of Trichology in 2016 "serum ferritin, vitamin B12 and HDL cholesterol levels in respondents under the age of 25 years who are graying tend to be lower". To overcome this is the nutritional balance of foods containing Vitamin B12 such as eggs, milk, poultry, etc.
• Thyroid gland disorders, the function of the thyroid gland is to produce hormones that play a role in many things in the body such as: maintaining metabolism, regulating heart rate, menstrual cycle, etc.
• Autoimmune disease, usually affecting the skin and hair. Vitiligo (premature graying) is an autoimmune disease that attacks the hair cells that produce pigments. In this condition, apart from being marked by unusual gray growth, it is also accompanied by white patches on the skin.
• Smoking, based on research published in the Italian Dermatology Online Journal in 2013, a smoker is 2½ times more likely to have gray hair in the age range of 30 years and under compared to non-smokers.
• Neurofibromatosis, a congenital condition of the body that causes tumors to grow along nerves and abnormal development of bones and skin.
• The impact of using hair care products, some products sometimes contain harmful chemicals that risk reducing melanin production and cause gray hair. Hydrogen peroxide, which is found in many hair coloring products, is a chemical that can cause premature graying when used excessively.
Gray hair at an early age is not a danger or makes our heads hurt, but sometimes it makes the appearance less optimal and reduces a person's confidence level. For common causes that can be minimized, maybe a solution is to avoid these things, but if it becomes a permanent thing, then hair styling tips or tricks are needed so that even though gray hair is not an obstacle to looking stylish. But it's good if this happens intensively, it is advisable to consult a doctor in order to get the right diagnosis and treatment.[]
