What Causes White Hair at an Early Age for Women?

What happens when you look in the mirror and you don’t feel like the person staring back at you? For some women with premature white or gray hair, they may be distressed if they look older than they feel. Or, they may be worried that their hair changes indicate a deeper health problem. Hair grays for all sorts of reasons, including genetic factors, hormonal problems, and health conditions. If your color changes are causing you angst, here’s how to get to the root cause and take action.

We know that gray hair is inevitable at some point in our lives. Once you reach age 50, half of us have a head of hair that is at least 50% gray. And while graying is a natural process, finding white or gray strands at a younger-than-you'd-like age can be distressing. Plus, aesthetically, you may want to know if there’s anything you can do to reverse the process.

Premature graying can happen for reasons out of your control (like genetics), but it can also be a sign of a deeper problem. Taking a holistic approach to uncovering root causes of health issues, including white hair at an early age, is key. Doing so helps clinicians, like those at Parsley Health, create integrative solutions.

Learn more about what causes white hair at an early age, plus the holistic approach to restoring your hair’s natural health.

Understanding premature graying

So, why does hair turn white? Although graying might be the most visually obvious sign of hair aging, there are numerous changes to hair that occur as the years go by. With aging, hair changes in:

• Color
• Density
• Diameter
• Growth patterns
• Shape

When it comes to hair color, your hair pigment is affected by melanin production. Cells called melanocytes produce the two types of melanin in hair follicles:

1. Eumelanin: More eumelanin produces darker hair.
2. Pheomelanin: Produces red hair.

“Gray hair happens when melanin production slows down,” says Marisa Garshick, MD, a dermatologist based in New York City. Aging and genetics are the biggest factors, she says (more on this below), but certain lifestyle factors, nutritional deficiencies, and underlying conditions can speed up the process.

You might start seeing grays pop up in your 30s or 40s, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). However, due to differing factors—genetics, lifestyle, environment—hair might gray earlier or later than that.

There are plenty of young people with gray hair. Hair is said to have gone “prematurely gray” at different ages depending on race:

• Earlier than 20 years old if you’re caucasian. (Average age to begin graying is in the mid-30s.)
• Earlier than 25 years old if you are Asian. (Average age to gray is one’s late-30s.)
• Earlier than 30 years old if you are Black. (Average age to start graying is mid-40s.)

The main causes of early white hair in women

What causes gray hair in your 20s? Several factors can affect early graying or white hair.

Hair goes gray due to a loss of melanocytes in the hair follicle, which prevents melanin from being transferred to cells involved in hair formation. With age, stem cells in melanocytes become less active, resulting in less pigment in hair.

“Genetics play the biggest role here, but stress, nutritional deficiencies, autoimmune conditions, and even smoking can sometimes accelerate the process,” says board-certified dermatologist Mamina Turegano, MD, FAAD.

“So while you can’t change your genes, there’s still some power in how you support your body and your scalp environment,” she says.

Here’s what may be at play:

• Genetics and family history: Earlier research shows that people with a family history of premature hair graying have a 13 times higher risk of experiencing early white hair themselves.
• Stress and lifestyle: Stress triggers the release of several stress-related hormones that impact hair health. “Chronic stress has been linked to oxidative stress in the hair follicle, which can deplete the melanocyte stem cells that give our hair pigment,” says Dr. Turegano. Alcohol consumption has also been linked to more severe premature graying.
• Obesity: Increases the risk of early graying by nearly threefold. The hormonal impacts of obesity may affect melanin production.
• Nutritional deficiencies: Your diet may affect your hair pigment. One study found that a vegetarian diet was associated with premature gray hair, which may be due to a deficiency in B12, a nutrient more commonly found in animal products. Copper, iron, zinc, or vitamin D deficiency may also affect melanin production. Biotin levels may also be lower in some who go gray early.
• Autoimmune conditions and hormonal factors: Chronic illness can be associated with graying, including vitiligo (where the body attacks melanocytes) and alopecia areata (where the body attacks its hair follicles). In addition, thyroid disorders may also contribute to early graying, says Dr. Turegano. Thyroid disease may also cause gray hair, since thyroid hormones T3 and T4 aid in melanin production.
• Environmental and chemical factors: UV light triggers oxidative stress to the hair, damaging the protein structure of the hair and degrading melanin. A history of smoking is also linked to early graying, increasing risk by 60%. Smoking creates free radicals that cause cellular damage and speed up aging. Pollution also causes free radical formation.

Myths about premature graying

Before we get into how to slow or prevent premature graying, we have to address two of the most pervasive myths about gray hair:

Myth: Pulling out one gray makes more grow in its place

Reality: This can cause hair loss. “I’ve even said that if I see a gray, I’m pulling it out,” says Hannah Kopelman, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist specializing in hair loss. However, she resists: “Eventually, pulling out a hair will damage the hair follicle, and the follicle will not be able to grow hair again. It’s better not to pull out grays,” she says. So, two or three grays may not grow in its place—nothing might.

Myth: Hair color treatments cause early graying

Reality: Dye it with confidence. “Hair color treatments do not contribute to graying or speed up the process. It’s safe to color your hair,” says Dr. Kopelman. There are other downsides, such as irritation to the chemicals in dyes, which some people are sensitive to, but it won’t strip your strands of their color.

One caveat here: Harsh hair dyes or chemical treatments can increase oxidative damage, which is detrimental to pigment-producing cells in your hair, adds Dr. Turegano. If you’re dyeing your hair, make sure you’re working with your stylist to maintain the health of your hair, too.

How to naturally slow or prevent premature graying

“We’re all trying to crack the code on what can stop gray hair,” says Dr. Kopelman. Although we don’t completely know how to stop gray hair naturally, it is apparent that a balanced lifestyle in terms of stress management, a healthy diet, good sleep, and physical activity may help slow the progression, she says.

The AAD also points out that it may be possible for gray hair to repigment again. “In most cases, once a hair follicle stops producing pigment, that strand will grow in gray or white permanently—but there are rare exceptions. We’ve seen isolated cases where hair regains pigment after stress reduction, lifestyle changes, or certain medical treatments, which suggests that under the right conditions, some melanocyte activity can be revived,” says Dr. Turegano. Though for that to happen, the underlying cause needs to be addressed and properly treated. Here’s how to support hair health and pigment:

• Dietary changes: Talk to your provider about your current diet. They may recommend testing the status of certain nutrients of concern. If you are deficient in certain nutrients, dietary changes through food or supplements (see below) may help. In addition, since an overabundance of free radicals, which causes oxidative stress, has been linked with hair graying, it’s also important to consume an antioxidant-rich diet to protect against this cellular damage. Antioxidants are found in foods like fruits and vegetables. Focusing on consuming a healthy, balanced diet can also aid in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.
• Supplements and herbs: Correct nutrient deficiencies through supplementation when recommended by a healthcare provider. There are some case studies that suggest that being treated with vitamin B12 may help restore color to hair. “Supplements like B-complex, vitamin D, and even adaptogens may be useful in some cases, especially if labs reveal deficiencies,” says Dr. Turegano.

For example, if emotional stress is a factor behind early white hair, your clinician might recommend certain herbal supplements that have adaptogen properties, such as ashwagandha, as part of a stress-management strategy. Ashwagandha may also reduce inflammation, and lowering inflammation may also encourage hair repigmentation.

Dr. Turegano also points to Arey, a company that makes a supplement that addresses graying hair with a mix of vitamins and minerals, plus a proprietary blend that includes black sesame seed extract, an ingredient that may help reverse grays, she says.

Finally, supplements like melitane (a biomimetic peptide) and plant extracts like polygonum multiflorum are being explored for their ability to stimulate melanogenesis and reduce oxidative damage. Retinoids and stem cell therapy may also be future therapies.

• Lifestyle interventions: Starting the process of quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption may make a difference in hair graying. At the very least, these things set the stage for a healthy body, which will support proper hair growth.

Don’t discount the importance of focusing on reducing stress, since your mental health can play such a big role in hair graying. Emerging research suggests that stress reduction can help hair regain its pigment. Effective stress-squashing strategies differ for everyone, but using breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, mindfulness, and physical activity can support your mental health.

• Reducing exposure to environmental toxins: Aside from staying away from cell-damaging tobacco smoke, you can protect your hair from the sun by using UV-protective products, such as sun-protective spray (akin to sunscreen for your hair), avoiding peak sun hours (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.), and wearing a hat, scarf around your head, or using an umbrella. Wearing a swim cap can guard against chlorine in pools. In addition, stay away from smoking and limit your exposure to air pollution when possible.

When it comes to all of these above, there’s an all-around benefit to your hair health. “It’s not about reversing gray hair, but more about creating the internal and external conditions for healthy, resilient hair aging,” says Dr. Turegano.

When to consult a healthcare provider

Premature graying does not mean you should panic—but pay attention. “Sometimes premature graying is just genetic, but in other cases, it can be a signal that something deeper is going on,” says Dr. Turegano. “I always tell my patients: your hair is an extension of your overall health, and if your body’s trying to tell you something, it’s better to listen early,” she says.

If gray hairs are popping up early and you have other symptoms that may indicate a deeper health issue, see a provider, Dr. Turegano recommends.

These issues include:

• Fatigue
• Hair thinning
• Irregular periods
• Mood changes
• Digestive issues
• White or gray hair that appears “suddenly” or “overnight
• ”One patch on your scalp that only grows gray hair

A dermatology provider is educated in hair health and can treat dermatological conditions that affect the hair and skin.

Also working with a provider who can evaluate underlying conditions holistically and recommend integrative solutions, such as those at Parsley Health, can help you get to the root cause and take control of your health.

Frequently asked questions

Why is hair white at an early age?

When it comes to what causes gray hair at a young age, genetics, underlying health conditions like some autoimmune disorders, as well as stress, lifestyle, and environmental factors, can all contribute.

How do I stop getting white hair?

White hair isn’t always reversible. However, there may be certain things you can do to help slow the graying process, such as reducing stress or recovering from a stressful event, correcting certain nutrient deficiencies like vitamin B12, and eating an overall healthy, balanced diet.

Can the white hair turn black again?

The answer to this depends on why your hair turned white in the first place. graying is a natural aging process, however, if you have premature graying caused by an underlying health condition, stress, or nutrient deficiency, it’s possible to restore pigment to the hair if you can identify and treat the root cause.

Is white hair caused by stress?

Stress is a major factor in white and gray hair. Stress causes a surge in stress hormones that affect pigment cells in the hair follicle, leading to graying. There is some indication that reducing stress or resolving the source of a major stress may be able to help your hair get its color back.

White or gray hair is a natural process. You’ll typically notice gray or white strands appearing in your 30s or 40s. However, if you are going gray early, the culprit could be genetics, stress, a nutrient deficiency, or an underlying health condition that affects the hair follicles. Although having gray hair itself isn’t harmful, it can be a pretty obvious, outward sign that it’s worth assessing internal factors to get at the root cause.

Because there can be so many factors involved, connecting with a Parsley Health clinician can help guide you toward the right testing to uncover deeper health issues and recommend an individualized, whole-body approach to treatment. Your gray hair isn’t just a case of “bad luck.” A knowledgeable clinician will explore early signs of a health imbalance with compassion and depth.

Key takeaways

• Hair naturally grays as part of the aging process. However, gray or white hair before ages 20 to 30, depending on an individual's race, is considered to be premature gray.
• Many factors influence the time someone develops white or gray hair, such as genetics/family history, lifestyle habits, diet, underlying conditions, hormonal issues, and environmental exposures.
• It’s not always possible to reverse white hair. However, in circumstances where an underlying condition, hormonal imbalance, nutritional deficiency, or emotional stress is discovered with root-cause testing or analysis, specific treatment strategies can support hair health and, in some circumstances, may improve the color of your hair.