Healthy hair reflects a person’s well-being and creates a generally youthful vibe. Graying hair, on the other hand, is deemed to be a sign of aging. Hence, those who experience premature graying of hair early might suffer from self-esteem issues because they are perceived as older than their actual age.
But what causes white hair at an early age? Is premature graying hair, also known as canities, a hair disorder? Can premature gray hair be reversed? Read on as we tackle all these questions.
What are canities?
Canities, the process of graying or whitening hair, is a natural occurrence as a person ages. It’s a normal part of life, not a cause for alarm. So when you see a strand of hair where the tips to mid-length have pigment and slowly fade to gray hair follicles as it reaches the roots, that’s canities in action. It’s a normal part of life, not a cause for alarm.
Is premature canities a hair disorder?
Generally, canities is a clinical diagnosis referring to the natural process of graying hair that comes with aging. Canities is a general term and should not be confused with the hair condition called Canities Subita, which refers to the sudden whitening of hair in a short period of time.
Canities causes
Canities occur when melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives color to our hair and skin, stop producing melanin. Old age, stress, or other environmental factors are the most common causes of canities or early greying of hair.
However, a study shows that canities might also stem from an illness, especially when they occur prematurely. Hence, the more interesting question would be: What causes premature canities? Potential causes include stress, nutritional deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, genetic conditions, and certain medical treatments. Understanding these potential causes can help you identify risk factors and seek appropriate medical advice.
What causes white hair at an early age?
While graying hair is often a sign of aging, sometimes it could be a symptom of an underlying illness, especially when it occurs at a young age. But how young is “young”?
The onset of hair greying varies depending on one’s race. For Caucasians, the average age at which grey hair is acquired is mid-thirties, while Asians get grey hair in their late thirties. Hair greying comes relatively late for Africans, who average in the mid-forties. Therefore, hair greying is considered too early or premature if it occurs before age 20 for Caucasians, age 25 for Asians, and age 30 for Africans.
The causes of premature canities could possibly be one of the following:
Stress
Stressors such as cigarette smoking, environmental damage, or psychological stress can contribute to the production of free radicals. A recent study from Columbia University linked psychological stress to graying hair. This is also backed by a Harvard study explaining that norepinephrine is released when someone is under stress, including in the hair follicle, affecting the melanocytes. Due to the lack of pigment-producing stem cells, newly grown hair turns gray or white.
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin B12 deficiency, are the most common cause of premature gray hair. One function of vitamin B12 is to help keep our blood healthy. A vitamin B12 deficiency means that the hair follicles, which create melanin for hair pigmentation, do not receive oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood cells. Consequently, the hair follicles cannot do their job correctly, leading to premature graying.
Deficiency in folic acid
If you don’t get enough folic acid, your hair might turn gray earlier than expected. Folic acid (or vitamin B9) makes red blood cells and oxygenates your body. When you have a nutritional deficiency, and you’re low on folic acid, your scalp might not get enough oxygen, leading to premature graying. To keep your hair healthy and colorful, ensure you get enough folic acid through your diet or supplements.
Pernicious anemia
Pernicious anemia happens when the body can’t absorb enough vitamin B-12, leading to anemia and other symptoms like tiredness, weakness, and nerve problems. Interestingly, there’s a link between pernicious anemia and premature graying of hair, known as premature canities. The lack of vitamin B-12 can affect melanin production, the pigment that gives hair its color, possibly causing early graying in people with pernicious anemia. If premature canities are a concern, seeing a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment options is best.
Tuberous Sclerosis
Early hair graying may also be a symptom of tuberous sclerosis, a rare genetic disease that causes benign tumors to grow in the brain and other vital organs. Check for other symptoms of tuberous sclerosis, such as seizures, developmental delays, and skin abnormalities, or better yet, consult a licensed physician.
Thyroid disease
Autoimmune diseases like thyroid dysfunction affect the body’s ability to absorb nutrients essential to maintaining healthy hair. It also increases oxidative stress, which damages cells, including those responsible for hair pigmentation.
Vitiligo
Other autoimmune disorders, like vitiligo, cause the skin and hair to lose pigmentation. This condition occurs when the immune system destroys melanocytes responsible for producing melanin in the hair and skin.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is a condition that causes hair loss on the scalp and other parts of the body. With this condition, new hair growth usually turns white due to a lack of melanin.
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Premature greying of the hair before age 25 can be associated with cardiovascular risk factors for coronary artery disease. If you develop graying of the hair before 25, it might be a sign of elevated blood pressure or metabolic syndrome, which is also known as insulin resistance syndrome or syndrome X.
Considering all these possible causes, is there anything that can be done to reverse the premature graying of hair? There are several potential treatments for premature graying, including dietary changes, stress management, and medical interventions. However, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment options.
Can premature grey hair be reversed?
The good news is that premature grey hair can be reversed if the underlying cause is reversible. For example, if the cause is stress or vitamin B12 deficiency, there are high chances of halting or even reversing the premature greying of hair. This should give you hope and motivation to address the root cause.
Returning to the basics of healthy living is important to lower stress levels. This involves eating a healthy and balanced diet, getting enough hours of high-quality sleep, exercising, and avoiding bad habits such as cigarette smoking and drinking. It is equally important to practice mindfulness and consciously take time to relax. By making these lifestyle changes, you can take control of your hair health and potentially reverse premature graying.
Meanwhile, to address vitamin B12 deficiency, a vitamin B12-rich diet and vitamin B12 supplements are required. Beef, liver, chicken, fish and shellfish, eggs, and yogurt are all rich in vitamin B12. If you cannot increase your consumption of these foods, then a vitamin B12 supplement is also recommended.
If the underlying cause is a medical issue such as thyroid problems, alopecia areata, or vitiligo, it is best to consult a physician for treatment options. They can help address the more urgent medical concerns and guide you on the best course of action. Remember, greying of hair is merely a symptom of these more serious medical conditions.
However, if the underlying cause is irreversible, such as genetics, it would be impossible to reverse premature canities.
Does copper reverse grey hair?
Copper plays a role in melanin formation. A dermatological study showed that dermatologists could reverse premature greying of hair through iron supplements, particularly ferrous sulfate, which is made when iron fillings are mixed with copper sulfate solution. Hence, an additional intake of iron supplements can address premature hair graying due to copper deficiency.
Premature hair greying treatment
If you wish to lessen the appearance of premature grey hair and cannot wait for the results of the treatments mentioned above, you may opt for hair dye. You may apply a semi-permanent hair color if grey hair is sparse, and you can commit to re-dyeing every 2 to 3 weeks. If not, opt for permanent hair color instead, but the challenge here is to dye the roots every time white hair grows.
If you have finally decided to rock your grey hair, there is a plethora of gray hair shampoo to help your hair maintain a bright and cool silverish tone. The highly recommended gray hair shampoos range from $9 to $55. Surely, there will be one that will fit your budget.
Premature canities is a health issue
Overall, premature canities are more of a health issue than an aesthetic issue. Premature hair graying is a sign of vitamin deficiency or a severe medical condition. Hence, the treatment for premature canities should also be approached from a medical perspective.
The safest route is to consult a licensed physician to determine the root causes of one’s premature canities. This will make determining which treatment would yield the most impactful and beneficial results easier.