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The development of the first gray hairs is on average around 35 years old and can vary from approximately 10 years. This is an average, the reality for each individual is quite different. The occurrence of white or gray hair varies from person to person and may depend on DNA, and even internal or external factors. Learn first, why you have white hair at 16. Subsequently we will see, how to prevent and slow down the development of gray hair at 16.

Why do I have white hair at 16?

The phenomenon of hair bleaching cannot be avoided. This process is called canities. This is a 100% natural phenomenon which occurs when melanocytes, the cells that color hair, decrease or stop the production of melanin. To explain it another way, your hair continues to grow, only it is no longer pigmented, and as a result it is no longer colored. Your hair will then turn graying or white. At a certain age it is usual for this mechanism to appear, however at your age it is possible that it reveals other problems.

ONE or MORE gray hair at 16?

First, analyze the appearance of white hair and ask yourself: is it a lot, sparse or is there only one hair that has turned white or is graying? Indeed, one or two gray hairs are not indicative of a concern : it may simply be a localized melanin dysfunction. At times the hair is even depigmented on some parts, and on others it keeps its color. In the event that there is onlya single white hair, there is no reason to be worried. He just didn't have enough time to load up with melanin. Therefore, the following ones will grow back in a normal way.

If you have an entire salt and pepper strand or several gray hairs that are spread over your head, this can be the cause of various factors. We will now see the potential origins of the appearance of gray hair at 16.

The causes likely to be responsible for the appearance of gray hair

1 - Genetics can lead to the appearance of gray hair at 16 years old

Premature depigmentation of the hair is usually related to genetic makeup and therefore linked to the way héréditaire. To authenticate this, it's easy, you have to ask your immediate family if they experienced the appearance of gray hair at the same time as you. In other words, at what age did the first gray hair of your parents arrive? If they had them around the same age as you, it's probably written in your genetic code and there is therefore no other solution than to assume their gray hair or to do a coloring. That said, don't panic, the appearance of salt and pepper hair is generally gradual.

If your loved ones have had gray hair later than your age, other factors may explain your gray hair at 16.

2 - Gray hair at age 16 grows in most cases due to the body's natural aging

As we have described, gray hair at age 16 grows because melanocytes no longer work well enough to produce pigmentation. Of all the factors that we are going to present to you that can explain a sudden onset of gray hair, you should know that the cause of the body's natural aging is the most plausible cause at your age.

Indeed, melanocytes that no longer work very well are quite simply the result of their aging. Like the body or the skin, the disparities between individuals on aging are difficult to explain. Some people will therefore start graying their hair at age 16, while others will start it later. Therefore, even if the aging of your hair is early compared to the average age, this cause is the most plausible.

3 - Dietary deficiencies may cause gray hair to appear at 16 years old

The appearance of gray hair when you are 16 years old can be a symptom that your body is lacking in certain nutrients and / or vitamins. The vitamins that can be implicated in the appearance of gray or white hair are vitamin B, and more especially B12. These vitamins have the function of producing energy for the body and ensuring the normal functioning of the nervous system. 

Also watch out for iron, zinc and copper deficiencies. In short, try to eat a variety of foods to reduce the risk of prematurely gray hair appearing on your head.

4 - Emotional shock may cause the development of gray hair

A significant emotional shock such as death or an accident can result in the premature development of gray hair at age 16. In fact, in reaction to a traumatic psychological shock and following significant stress, the body's immune defense system would react and modify the proper functioning of certain cells. This would be likely to cause the appearance of white hair.

5 - A healthy lifestyle can activate the appearance of gray hair at 16

A life a bit stressful, everyday cases that lead to chronic stress, bad nutrition et cigarette can be as many factors that accelerate the onset of white hair at 16.

• Stress activates the oxidation phenomenon of cells and as a result can trigger premature aging of the body. It can also cause inflammation that lowers the production of melanin. The hair also goes through these worries and turns white younger than it should be.

• Tobacco is well known to accelerate the aging of the skin and hair follicles. It affects the hair follicles and therefore causes premature graying of the hair. Know that scientific studies have proven the relationship between smoking and the appearance of gray or white hair before the age of thirty.

• Today's junk food has not only done our bodies good. Industrial food and the culture of "fast food" may lead to diseases that are likely to interfere with the correct production of melanin. At the same time, it is too rich in sugar, fat and salt, and it is not rich enough in vitamins and minerals, which can lead to deficiencies.

How to avoid the appearance of gray hair at 16 years old?

First of all, do not have false hopes… To date, there is no medical treatment for physiological canities although research is underway to delay or stop this phenomenon.

However, in view of what we have seen previously, the premature graying of hair and the dysfunction of certain melanocytes in some cases results from factors over which we have control. In case you conclude that your canities is not of genetic origin, follow our recommendations in order to slow down this process!

Make a diagnosis to understand the appearance of your gray hair

For starters, if you have any symptoms that appear other than bleaching your hair, see a doctor to make sure it isn't a pathological or hormonal dysfunction.

Then a general diagnosis made by a doctor or a nutritionist can also be made to detect possible deficiencies. A blood test can reveal, for example, iron deficiency or a dysfunction of the thyroid. Taking into account the result obtained, rebalance your diet or take food supplements accordingly to compensate for the lack.

Solutions to slow down the onset of gray hair at 16

1 - Eat a balanced diet to slow down the appearance of gray hair

Eat everything while respecting the saying "avoid foods that are too fatty, too sweet, too salty". This also works to slow down the arrival of gray hair! Eat foods rich in vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and trace elements. If you have an imbalance in essential fatty acids, especially omega 3, you will encourage the appearance of the first symptoms of aging, and therefore canities.

The minerals like copper, zinc and iron would positively affect the hair. These would be able to keep the hair follicles healthy and thus prevent the risk of having gray hair at 16 years.

Copper is fundamental in the transmission of pigmentation to the hair. Indeed, melanin is produced by melanocytes thanks to the enzyme tyrosinase. And it is the copper that catalyzes this enzymatic reaction. Thus, a good diet providing the right daily dose of copper will help toavoid the appearance of gray hair early. Be careful though, copper is toxic if you take more than you need! Have your blood drawn to see your copper level before you change your diet.

Finally, B vitamins are essential to prevent premature aging of the body and to provide energy to the body. Therefore, eat foods rich in B vitamins to prevent the development of gray hair at age 16. If you are following a vegetarian or vegan diet, consider taking food supplements for vitamin B12 in particular.

2 - Adopt a healthy lifestyle to avoid the appearance of gray hair at 16 years old

Avoid chronic stress

Recurring stress also accelerates the aging of the body and therefore the development of gray hair at 16 years old. We know that stress is difficult to control, nevertheless try to adopt techniques against stress or practice relaxing activities.

Good food consumption

As we mentioned before, avoid junk food and fast food as much as possiblee. Favor fresh, unprepared foods such as fruits, vegetables, butcher's meats, whole grains, etc. Know that industrial products are full of toxins. As soon as the liver is saturated, the organ that cleans the body can no longer eliminate toxins and this results in premature aging and the appearance of white hair at 16 years old.

Avoid the cigarette

Better than you avoid cigarettes which is responsible for the premature aging of the body and therefore of the hair. Indeed, as we saw above, studies have shown the concordance between smoking and the development of gray or white hair before the thirties. If you are a non-smoker but come into regular contact with smoke, be sure to avoid inhaling it. If you are a smoker, try to reduce your consumption as much as possible.

3 - Grandmother's remedies to prevent the development of gray hair at 16

These grandmother's remedies are aptly named: their effectiveness has never been proven experimentally. That said, they are good for the health of your hair and have very interesting characteristics to fight against premature aging of the body.

• Boost blood circulation to the scalp and bulb with coconut, jojoba or almond oil rich in vitamin E which helps maintain healthy and resilient hair. Make gentle circular movements on your head, like at the hairdresser, to activate the blood circulation.

• Make natural masks of antioxidant components: sage or curry leaves, avocado, and onion are renowned for their antioxidant properties and therefore fight against premature graying of hair. Regarding the way to use them, nothing could be easier: regarding the leaves, put them to the boil, filter the infusion and apply it to your hair when it is lukewarm. For the onion, crush it, collect the juice and mix it with oil. Apply for 30 minutes. Same process with the avocado, this time also using the flesh.

How to hide your white hair at 16?

At your age, you should know that if your hair has started to bleach and your hair turns gray or white it is unlikely to regain its natural color. Assuming you can't tolerate your gray or white hair at 16, the camouflage solution is surely the best. Make the choice of the coloring method (permanent, semi-permanent, temporary or natural), depending on the number of gray hairs you have, but also on your current hair color. Anyway, when you do your first color, we advise you to consult a specialist who will be able to direct you on your needs and the best color.

• Regarding blond hair. At first, the first gray hairs are barely visible. We recommend the balayage option for more naturalness. You will also avoid having to catch up on root color or camouflage every month. Then, as your white hair progresses on your scalp, make semi-permanent or permanent colorings.

• For dark hair or red. Permanent coloring to camouflage gray hair will be your best option. At the beginning, you can apply house colors, however be careful to respect the indications and not to do too often ... Even if you have trouble accepting the vision of your regrowth and your few white roots! Otherwise you are likely to damage your hair and dry out your hair, making it look dull. Sometimes you can even cause hair loss! It is better to wait at least 4 weeks, and the wiser stays 2 months. The most recommended still is to favor natural coloring when you don't have a lot of gray or white hair to prevent damage to your hair.

• The natural solution. If it happens that you do not have a lot of gray hair at 16, we recommend natural dyes made from plants and without ammonia such as henna. These colorings are perfect for not damaging your hair, your scalp and maintaining a natural color.

In all cases and in the event that you have more than 30% gray hair, we recommend that you do your color at a professional because the coloring process is more complicated. This is because white hair has a different texture from pigmented hair, so you may not end up with the result you want.

Be aware that in no case, our advice replaces the advice of a professional, such as a doctor, naturopath or nutritionist. If you want to take a look at your state of health, do not hesitate to call your doctor.

In summary, thanks to natural processes and a healthy lifestyle, you can delay the process of premature depigmentation of hair and thus avoid the appearance of too massive white hair at 16 years.