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The development of the first white hairs is around the age of thirty-five and can vary by plus or minus ten years. This is an average, the reality for each individual is quite different. The occurrence of white or gray hair varies from one individual to another and can depend on genetics, and also on internal or external parameters. We will first find out, why your child has white hair at 9 years old , later we will see, how to prevent and slow down the appearance of gray hair at 9.

Why does your child have white hair at 9?

The phenomenon of hair bleaching cannot be avoided. This phenomenon is called canities. This is a natural process that happens as soon as the melanocytes, the cells that are responsible for the color of the hair, decrease or stop the production of melanin. In other words, the hair continues to grow, but without pigmentation and therefore without coloring. This is when the hair bleaches or turns gray. At a certain age it is usual for this process to appear, however at the age of your child it is highly possible that it signals other concerns.

ONE or MORE gray hair at 9?

First, analyze the development 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 in no way reveal any problem Commonly, this may be a malfunction of melanin in one specific location. Sometimes the hair is even depigmented on some parts, and on others it keeps its color. In the event that there is onlyonly one white hair, there is nothing to worry about. This hair simply did not have time to load up with melanin. Therefore, the next ones will grow back in a normal way.

When multiple white hairs appear on the scalp, various factors can be responsible. We will now see the possible causes of the appearance of gray hair at the age of your child.

The different causes that are likely to be responsible for the appearance of gray hair at 9 years old

1 -Melanocyte dysfunction may be responsible for gray hair at age 9

At some point in your life, sometimes it happens that the melanocytes do not properly produce hair pigmentation. This is not serious or abnormal, it should go away over time if it only concerns a few hairs. However, if white hairs are growing in number, appearing massively and / or come back even after removing them, we suggest that you consult your GP to diagnose the exact reason for the problem.

2 - A disease can give gray hair at 9 years old

Although often rare, a autoimmune disease, physiological disturbance or an specific pathology can lead to the development of white or gray hair at 9 years. If so, the appearance of white hair turns out to be reversible if the condition can be treated. It is advisable to go see a doctor if the development of white hair is abundant and the phenomenon is amplified. These problems could potentially be: Thyroid disorder, vitiligo, Vogt-Koyanagi syndrome or Waardenburg syndrome. These diseases cause depigmentation of the skin or hair, and may come on gradually or all at once.

However, don't panic, don't fall into paranoia. These pathologies are very infrequent. What is more, in these extreme cases, the development of white hair is accompanied by multiple more prominent symptoms.

Finally, an American experiment links the immune system and hair bleaching. It is therefore possible that following a prolonged illness some people see gray hair.

3 - Dietary deficiencies risk developing gray hair at 9 years old

• Modern food consumption has not only brought goodness to our plates. Processed food and the cultivation of “fast food” can lead to illnesses that can interfere with normal melanin production. In addition, it contains too much fat, sugar and salt, and it does not contain enough vitamins and minerals which may lead to deficiencies.

Hair that begins to welcome white hair at age 9 can therefore be a symptom that the hair is lacking in essential nutrients and that there are therefore deficiencies in your child's diet.

Respect a varied diet properly dosed in minerals and nutrients. The vitamins that can be responsible for the appearance of gray hair are vitamin B. Indeed, these vitamins are responsible for maintaining the proper functioning of the nervous system and the production of energy in the body. Vitamin B12 can be found in excellent amounts in foods that come from animals.

In summary, try to eat a variety of foods to reduce the risk of prematurely developing gray hair on your child's head and to follow the recommendations of WHO (World Health Organization).

4 - Emotional shock is likely to lead to the development of gray hair at age 9

Sudden emotional shock such as death or accident can lead to premature development of gray hair at age 9. Indeed, when the organism suffers a traumatic shock or a very strong stress discharge is released in the body, the body's immune defense system reacts and modifies the proper functioning of certain cells. This would result in the appearance of white hair.

How to avoid the appearance of gray hair at 9 years old?

As we have just seen previously, the premature graying of hair and the stopping of certain melanocytes is in many cases and at the age of your child, factors which may be reversible. Most of the time, there is no cause for concern, the concern is mild.

Make a diagnosis to understand the development of gray hair

First of all, if your child has symptoms other than bleaching of his hair, see a doctor to be sure it is not a pathological or hormonal problem.

Then a general diagnosis made by a doctor or a nutritionist can also be made to detect possible deficiencies. The blood test can reveal, for example, iron deficiency or a dysfunction of the thyroid. Taking into account the result obtained, the doctor or nutritionist will inform you of what to modify or not in his diet.

Solutions to slow down the appearance of gray hair at 9

1 - Eat a balanced diet to slow the onset of canities

Try that your child has a varied diet while respecting the slogan "avoid foods that are too fatty, too sweet, too salty". The latter is also valid for delaying the development of gray hair! He must eat foods rich in vitamins, minerals and trace elements.

Minerals such as copper, zinc and iron are said to have a positive impact on the hair. They would be able to keep the hair follicles healthy and therefore prevent the premature development of gray hair at age 9.

Copper is fundamental in creating pigmentation in hair. Note that melanin is generated by melanocytes thanks to the enzyme tyrosinase. And it is the copper that catalyzes this enzymatic reaction. Thus, a balanced diet providing the right daily dose of copper allowsavoid the appearance of gray hair early. Be careful though, copper is toxic if you take too much of it! Have your child a blood test to check their copper levels before making any changes to their diet.

In all cases, we suggest that you consult your doctor before changing your diet or taking food supplements.

Finally, B vitamins are essential for preventing premature aging of the body and for providing energy to the body. Therefore, your child needs to eat foods rich in B vitamins to avoid gray hair at age 9.

2 - Adopt a healthy lifestyle to fight against gray hair at 9 years old

1 - As we mentioned above, avoid junk food and fast food. Choose fresh, unprepared foods such as fruits, vegetables, quality fresh meat, whole grains, etc. Indeed, industrial products have many toxins. When the liver is saturated, the organ which cleans the body, is no longer able to eliminate toxins and this leads to premature aging and the appearance of white hair.

2 - Avoid exposure of your child to cigarette smoke as much as possible, which is responsible for the deterioration of the condition of the skin and hair. Indeed, studies have shown the relationship between smoking and the appearance of gray or white hair prematurely. Therefore, avoid exposing your child to cigarette smoke.

Please note that in no case does our advice replace the advice of a professional, such as a doctor, naturopath or nutritionist. If you want to take stock of your child's state of health, do not hesitate to call your doctor.

Thanks to natural processes and a healthy lifestyle, you can slow down the process of premature hair depigmentation and thus prevent the overgrowth of white hair at 9 years old.