If you are having white hair at a young age, you are not alone. No one is immune to white hair as it can surface at any age. A lot of teenagers these days complain of having white hair. Some say it is embarrassing while others say it makes them look unique.
Melanin is present in our hair follicle and it is responsible for the dark color of our hair. As we age, the hair loses its color that is why white hair is common among old people. Hair starts to turn gray when the color producing cells discontinues the production of pigments. Hydrogen peroxide build-up may also occur, thus causing the hair to bleach.
There are many factors that make hair white. We will discuss them briefly to know why most people have white hair at a young age. At least, by knowing what the problem is, you can find a lasting solution.
Inheritance through gene
You can inherit white hair through gene. Some people will ask “how is that possible”? But that’s the fact. If your parents or close relatives had white hair at an early stage in life, you might as well have white hair too.
If your parents or close relatives have white hair at an early age, it is also possible that you may not have it.
Smoking
Do you smoke cigarettes? If you do, then that’s what is making your hair turn white. Several studies have shown that smoking can cause the early growth of white hair. It can also cause premature graying of hair.
Most people who don’t smoke still have white hair early, but people who smoke are at a greater risk than those who do not smoke.
Lack of Vitamin
Lack of vitamin can make your hair turn white early. And not just any vitamin but vitamin B. Vitamin B is found in animal products such as meat, fish, and egg.
Protein Deficiency
Protein deficiency can make hair turn white. But this is not common in the western world. It occurs mostly in African countries, where people don’t consume enough protein because of the high rate of poverty.
Children are mostly affected because they require a high amount of protein for growth. So if you are from this part of the world and you notice your hair is turning white, then pay attention to your diet.
Copper deficiency
There are many symptoms of copper deficiency like skin sores, irregular heartbeat, breathing problems, and others. And surprisingly, copper deficiency still causes white hair.
Melanin is the pigment that gives both the skin and hair its color. And copper is needed by the body to produce melanin. Therefore, a deficiency of copper would lead to lack or insufficient production of melanin, which can make hair to turn white.
Manganese deficiency
Copper is not the only mineral that can make hair white. Manganese is also responsible too. Manganese plays an important role in the activation of enzymes.
So, when it is not being produced in sufficient amount, the body’s bio-chemical processes can be affected adversely. This can lead to loss of hair color as well as premature gray hair.
Stress factor
This doesn’t need much explanation because many of us have seen it manifest even without scientific proof. The US president, Barrack Obama, handling the world’s most stressful job, is a living proof of what stress can do to hair.
However, short-term stress like going to work late and closing late sometimes isn’t going to affect your hair. We are talking about physiological stress and not emotional. A chronic stress that can affect your body generally, make you unable to sleep, change appetite and raise your stress hormone.
Thyroid disorder
Your health condition can also make your hair turn white. But how is that possible? Yes, it is. White hair appears mostly in people suffering from the condition called thyroid disorder. When enough thyroid hormone is not being produced by the thyroid gland, you may likely suffer from hypothyroidism.
White hair or premature graying of hair is one of the side effects of this condition. But as your condition gets better, your hair color will improve too.
Obesity
Some people will be surprised to see this on the list. Many of us know obesity is related to many health conditions but obviously not making hair turn white. But the fact is, obesity can contribute to making your hair turn white.
Iron-deficiency Anemia
Iron helps to maintain a health skin, hair, and cells. It is very vital to the body and also maintains many body functions, especially hemoglobin production. Hemoglobin is the molecule found in the blood that is responsible for transporting oxygen.
Anemia results when your blood cell does not have enough hemoglobin or red blood cells, which is caused by iron deficiency. Since the number of red blood cells is insufficient, it cannot take vitamin B 12. This can cause the individual suffering from this condition to develop white hair.
Hair treatment
It is believed that using concentrated dyes and hot water to wash your hair regularly can make it turn white over time.
White hair at a very young age could mean many things. It could be a sign that you are deficient in one or two minerals, or not consuming a balanced diet. It could also be a sign that you are not taking good care of your hair. Your lifestyle also has an impact on your hair color.
For instance, smoking can cause hair to turn white. For older people, white hair is a normal thing because hair turns white mostly at old age. But for the young, it means a lot. The good news is that you can make your hair turn dark again when you start doing the right things.