Early gray hair. Why does gray hair appear

The appearance of gray hair for many people is quite upsetting and disturbing.

Some people do not want to dye their hair often, and someone considers the appearance of gray hair a sign of aging.

It is much sadder if gray hair appears at a young age. Then we are talking about early gray hair.

In trichology, it is believed that early graying of hair begins before the age of 25 in people of the Mongoloid and Caucasian races and before 30 years in people of the Negroid race.

Read our article on estet-portal.com about the main causes of early gray hair in hair.

• Causes and mechanism of early gray hair development
• Which diseases can be indicated by the appearance of gray hair
• The effect of stress on the development of early gray hair
• Characteristic features of hair with early graying
• Prevention measures for early grayings

Causes and mechanism of development of early gray hair

The absolute norm is the appearance of single gray hairs on the head after 30 years, and by the age of 55 it is normal when gray hair covers most of the hairline.

In the case of early gray hair, by the age of 40, most of the hair is already discolored.

The hairs on the temples and front of the head turn gray first.

There are 3 types of hair graying, depending on the cause:

• Physiological or age graying – occurs against the background of the general process of aging of the body;
• Congenital (leukotrichia) – develops due to a hereditary lack of pigment in the hair;
• Early gray hair (pre-senile, premature) – develops at a young age.

The pathogenesis of the development of early and age-related gray hair is the same. This happens when the hair loses the melanin pigment. 

In hair follicles and in the basal layers of the epidermis there are cells - melanocytes that synthesize melanin. The pigment enters the growing hair shafts.

Melanin synthesis is activated by:

• thyroid hormones;
• pituitary hormones (ACTH, β-lipotropin, melanocyte-stimulating hormone);
• sex hormones;
• mediators of the sympathetic nervous system.

Aging of cells - melanocytes precedes physiological graying.

Decreased activity of melanocytes or their death is manifested by the appearance of early gray hair. Hair that no longer receives melanin becomes porous, and the air in it gives the hair a silvery white color.

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Which diseases can indicate the appearance of gray hair

Early gray hair is usually genetically inherited from the older generation.

But it can also be a symptom of some pathological conditions that need to be corrected.

Early gray hair can be a symptom of the following diseases:

• thyroid dysfunction (autoimmune thyroiditis, hypothyroidism);
• vitiligo;
• iron deficiency anemia;
• atherosclerosis;
• gastritis with low acidity.

Early graying can also occur in patients with Wardenburg and Werner syndromes, with herpes zoster, poliosis, and also with frequent x-ray exposure.

The synthesis of melanocytes is disturbed when there is a deficiency in the body of manganese, copper, zinc, iron, selenium, vitamins A, B, C, and also with a diet devoid of protein products. Excessive ultraviolet exposure, smoking and alcohol also adversely affect the functioning of melanocytes, which contributes to the appearance of early grayingny.

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The effect of stress on the development of early gray hair

Severe stress or nervous shock can result in the appearance of early gray hair.

When strong emotions and stress, adrenaline is released into the bloodstream, which disrupts the interaction of melanin with the protein structure of the hair.

For this reason, the pigment in the hair is neutralized.

Stressful situations provoke vasospasm that go to the hair follicles. As a result, melanocytes, not receiving nutrition, atrophy and die.

The synthesis of the coloring pigment can also be adversely affected by drugs.

So, while taking medications for Parkinson's disease or chemotherapy, the production of melanium is disruptedon.

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Characteristic features of hair with early graying

The natural color of human hair depends on the type of melanin pigment. There is pheomelanin and eumelanin.

Eumelanin gives hair a black or brown color while pheomelanin gives it a red tint. The light hair color of blondes is provided by a low concentration of pigment.

When the hair loses most of the pigment, they become ashen, if there is no melanin in the hair at all, then they become bright white.

Smokers with experience may have yellowish tint.

With early gray hair, in addition to changing the color of the hair, their structure also changes.

Since melanin gives hair strength, elasticity and elasticity, when the pigment is lost, it becomes hair  vulnerable to external factors.

They lose their shine and elasticity, have a rough structure, so gray hair dry to the touch, hard, brittle, naughty, begin to tangle morexia.

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Measures to prevent the appearance of early gray hair

Often, girls, when they see the first gray hairs, pull them out.

This should not be done, as such actions can damage the hair follicle, or provoke the development of dermatitis.

When early gray hair develops, you should contact trichologist to find out the exact reasons.

Perhaps consultation with an endocrinologist, internist and gastroenterologist will be required.

It is necessary to carry out a comprehensive examination – blood test for the content of hormones and vitamins, spectral analysis of hair for trace elements.

With already existing gray hair, it is impossible to restore their natural color and start melanin production processes in them.

However, preventive measures in case of genetic predisposition to early gray hair will help delay this process.

Prevention measures for early gray hair:

• give up alcohol and smoking;
• eat rationally;
• avoid stress;
• protect the scalp from temperature extremes and exposure to sunlight;
• professional hair care (massage, masks, plasma-lifting, apparatus procedures, microelement mesotherapy).

To eliminate early gray hair, coloring procedures.

If gray hair is less than 25%, apply  hair tinting.

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