A pigment in your hair follicles known as melanin determines the color of your hair. According to MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, your follicles naturally slow down their production of this pigment as you age, causing your hair to grow in as white or gray. However, you may also find that your tresses begin graying prematurely while you are still in your teens. Several factors can contribute to this process.
Genetics
Genetics plays a large role in when and if your hair will turn gray. For instance, Caucasians tend to go gray earlier than those with Asian backgrounds, according to MedlinePlus. This process often begins in your 30s, but if your hair begins to go gray in your teens, it could be that your relatives experienced the same condition, says pediatrician Dr. Alan Greene. This type of genetically premature graying can consist of a few scattered hairs, or it may progress into a full head of gray hair.
Illness
Graying hair in teens can also be the sign of a medical condition or illness. According to InteliHealth staff writer Rhonda B. Graham, the disease known as Werner's syndrome can mirror the symptoms of aging, including gray hair, in teens and young adults. The autoimmune disease alopecia areata, which causes hair to fall out, may also reveal underlying gray hairs and make them appear more obvious. Dr. Greene states that many types of thyroid disorders and illnesses characterized by skin pigmentation problems lessen the amount of melanin your follicles produce, and these can lead to premature graying when left untreated.
Vitamin Deficiency
Diets that are deficient in vitamin B12 can lead to premature graying in teens. A lack of B12 results in a reduction of melanin production and can cause your hair to become gray, notes InteliHealth's Graham. Vitamin B12 can be found in a variety of meats, teens who consume a strict vegan diet are more likely to have a deficiency of this vitamin than those who eat animal products on a regular basis. However, your body can also stop absorbing this vitamin if you have had surgery on your stomach or small bowel, or if you have a medical condition that affects the small bowel. A vitamin B12 deficiency can be diagnosed by a blood test administered by your health care provider, and she or he can help determine how to get more B12 into your diet if necessary.
Member Comments