Like most women, you may not expect to find gray hairs until you hit your mid-thirties. But there are plenty of people who start seeing gray hair in their twenties or earlier. Whether your genetics, a medical condition or another circumstance is to blame, read on to find out why some people have prematurely gray hair.
Genetics
In most cases, you’re going prematurely gray due to genetics. So blame your family tree if you’re going gray sooner than your peers. Also, your race affects when you go gray: If you’re Caucasian, expect to go gray earlier than your friends of Asian or African descent.
Health Issues
Sometimes a vitamin B-12 deficiency, thyroid problems or pituitary gland issues can also cause premature grayness. Luckily, if one of these medical problems causes a hair color change, your original hair pigment will return once the underlying problem is corrected. Your doctor may also look for evidence of poor nutrition, stress or vitiligo, which are other common issues that can also cause gray hair.
Embracing Your Prematurely Gray Hair
Before you run to your nearest hair salon to cover up any gray strands, carefully consider all of your hair care options. There’s a reason many trendy 20-somethings have decided to dye their hair gray – it’s a unique color that complements a variety of complexions. So if you’re mostly gray, you may decide to embrace your new color.
Talk to your hairdresser for recommendations for brightening shampoos and treatments to fight off yellowing. You may find that your hair texture is also affected by going gray, so consider trying a new style that will emphasize your youth. Now is the time to consider a modern cut, such a razor-cut pixie or a severe bob.
If you only have a few gray strands, you might want to consider getting a few highlights to help blend the gray with your natural hair color. Keep in mind, adding highlights won’t cover all of the gray, but it will make the gray less noticeable. You could also enhance your gray by adding platinum or silver highlights throughout your hair.
If you do decide to cover your gray hair, consider trying a semi-permanent hair dye that will deposit color onto the gray. Skipping permanent hair color means that your regular hair growth is less noticeable. Non-permanent hair color is also less damaging because it doesn’t use a bleaching agent to lift your hair’s existing color.
Many women worry that going gray means that they’ve lost their youth, but with the right attitude and upkeep, gray hair can be just as flattering as any other color. Embrace your gray, and you can banish your hair color anxiety for good.
Whether you embrace your gray or cover it up you may find hair loss or thinning hair as being a bit more cumbersome. If your hair loss is causing you anxiety Genesis II can help determine the best hair restoration procedure that is right for you. To schedule your free hair loss evaluation call us at (315) 458-1074 or to contact us via email click here.
Photo Credit: Winter_1983 Via Flickr Creative Commons
