Unpacking Why Many Are Going Gray In Their 20s

So you’ve encountered your first gray hair, or maybe your friend has pointed it out to you. You might be alarmed at graying in your 20s, but it’s not an uncommon occurrence.

Aging is nothing to ashamed of; it’s a natural process during which your hair goes through a natural transition when it loses color. The shock you’re in is probably because you expected this to happen at a much later stage!

It might be a look that you’re looking forward to or a look that you’re dreading. Here’s all you need to know about graying!

Why Does It Happen?

Melanin is a natural pigment found in the body that provides color to your skin and hair. As you get older, the melanin level in your scalp declines, and your hair grows back lighter until it eventually loses all color and is white.

Losing color on just a few strands of hair doesn’t mean that you’re graying as a sign of age because when it’s age-related, it usually occurs in sections. Occasional gray hairs can be found at any age, but people generally start going gray once they’re in their thirties.

What Causes You To Go Gray?

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While losing melanin is a natural process that happens as you get older, it can be worrying when you’re turning gray in your 20s! Many people blame stress for this sudden loss of color, but science has yet to prove it!

Science can prove that smoking, a vitamin B-12 deficiency, and your genes play a role in you going gray sooner than expected. So if you fall into this category, it’s likely you’re going to gray a lot sooner!

How Can You Avoid Going Gray?

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If your parents turned gray young, your graying hair is likely from a genetic cause. There’s nothing you can do to stop your hair from graying, but you can either embrace it or cover it up.

If your hair is graying because of a vitamin B-12 deficiency, then taking a supplement can help restore the new hair’s pigment. And if you stop smoking, you can decrease the risk of graying early.

Covering It Up

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Even though it’s a trend, it’s not that easy to embrace just a few strands, especially when it’s so evident in darker hair, but if you’re up rocking a full head of silver hair, then go for it. It would probably be better to go to a salon for a permanent color rather than attempt it at home.

If you feel like it’s too extreme to commit to a color like gray or even dyeing your hair a different color, then you can use a tinted hair concealer to cover up small spots. You can also try a semi-permanent color which washes out in a matter of weeks!