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I spotted my first gray hair in my early 20s.
Each time I visited my longtime hairdresser, she grew more and more concerned with my stress levels.
Stocksy | Design by Zackary Angeline.
Given the myths and misconceptions surrounding what causes gray hair, she was right to ask.
My 20s were definitely stressful.
However, I soon realized that my gray hair was likely not because of stress but genetics.
Keep reading to learn more about what causes hair to go gray.
Meet the Experts
Why Does Hair Go Gray?
So why does hair go gray in the first place?
Helen Reavey, trichologist and founder of Act+Acre, agrees.
However, she says we should rethink how we see gray from a hue perspective.
First things first, there is no such thing as gray hair, she tells us.
Reavey says that once hair loses its pigment, the hair is completely translucent and appears white.
You might be asking, Well, why does my hair lookgray?
you’re free to attribute that to the percentage of natural hair color left on the strands.
“A person usually begins to ‘gray’ between 28 and 40 years old,” says Reavey.
The reason for this is that the melanocytes begin to slow down and produce less melanin.
This is part of the natural aging process.
Why Do Some People Go Gray Earlier Than Others?
They were also more likely to be overweight and report stress and alcohol consumption.
Can You Stop Premature Graying?
However, there are supplements that can help.
2017;9(1):19-24. doi:10.4103/ijt.ijt_79_16
