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White hair, no one escapes! Although they end up appearing on the heads of all people, there are people who contract them sooner or later. Genetics of course play a role in this more or less early appearance. But be aware that factors that we can control are likely to promote the bleaching process. So, we will see in this article why and what to do about gray hair when you are a teenager. First of all, learn why you have white hair as a teenager. Then find out how to prevent and delay the onset of gray hair in adolescents.

Why do I have white hair as a teenager?

White hair appears on average around the age of 35. This process is called canities. This is a natural process which will occur as soon as the melanocytes, the cells which have the function of giving color to the hair, decrease or stop the production of melanin.

To be clearer, your hair is still growing, only it is no longer pigmented, and therefore 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 is due to other problems.

Do you have one or more gray hairs?

First of all, it is important that you analyze the development of your white hair: is it a lot, sparse or has only one hair turned gray or white? Indeed, 1 or 2 gray hairs in no way reveal any concern.

It could simply be a malfunction of melanin in one specific location. Sometimes the hair is even depigmented on some parts, and on others it is still colored. In the case of'a single white hair, there is no need to worry. This hair simply did not have time to load up with melanin. Therefore, the next ones will grow back normal.

Factors that can explain the appearance of gray hair in adolescents

When multiple white hairs appear on your scalp, various factors can be responsible. We will now see the possible origins of the appearance of white hair during puberty.

1 - Melanocyte dysfunction can be responsible for white hair in adolescents.

At some point in your life, sometimes your melanocytes do not properly produce hair pigmentation. This is nothing serious or abnormal and this concern should go away over time if it only affects two or three hairs. However, if your gray hairs are growing in number and growing massively, we recommend that you consult your general practitioner to diagnose the exact reason for the dysfunction.

Also note that the cause of natural aging of the body may be a probability to explain the appearance of your gray hair in adolescence. However, no panic, at your age the hair bleaching process is quite unusual. It is more plausible that the appearance of your gray hair is simply the result of a temporary concern in the production of pigmentation.

2 - A lack of certain foods risks developing gray hair early on. 

The appearance of gray hair when you are a teenager can be a symptom that your body is lacking in certain nutrients, minerals and / or vitamins. More specifically copper, zinc, iron, vitamin B12 and omega 3 and 6. 

3 - A bad lifestyle can activate the development of gray hair in adolescence.

A life a bit stressful, everyday cases that lead to chronic stress, bad nutrition et smoking can be just as many factors that accelerate the onset of gray hair in adolescence.

• Stress accelerates the oxidation process of cells and because of this, can cause premature aging of the body. It can also cause inflammation which reduces the production of melanin. In this situation, the hair suffers these worries and turns white more prematurely than it should be.

• Modern food consumption did not bring all good to our plates. The current diet and fast food culture can lead to illnesses that are likely to interfere with the proper production of melanin. At the same time, it contains too much fat, sugar and salt, and it does not contain enough vitamins and minerals, which will then generally lead to deficiencies.

• Tobacco is well known to accelerate cellular and hair aging. It affects the hair follicles and therefore causes premature aging of the hair. Be aware that scientific studies have shown the correlation between smoking and the development of hair bleaching before your thirties.

4 - An emotional shock can lead to the appearance of gray hair in adolescents.

Death, accident, trauma, etc. can lead to the early appearance of gray hair. Indeed, when the organism suffers a traumatic shock or when a very strong stress discharge is discharged into the body, the body's immune defense system would react, and modify the proper functioning of a number of cells . This would likely cause the premature development of gray hair.

How To Prevent White Hair In Adolescents?

Currently, be aware that there is no medical treatment for physiological canities although research is ongoing.

However, as we have just seen previously, the premature graying of hair and the dysfunction of certain melanocytes sometimes comes from factors that we are able to control. In the event that you deduce that your canities is not of genetic origin, follow our recommendations in order to slow down this process!

Make a diagnosis to understand the development of your gray hair

To start, if you have other symptoms that develop other than bleaching your hair, see a doctor. That way you can be sure that it is not a pathological or hormonal dysfunction.

If you have no other symptoms, you can still do a general health check. The latter can be prescribed by a doctor or a nutritionist in order to detect any deficiencies. The blood test can reveal, for example, iron deficiency or a dysfunction of the thyroid. Depending on the result, your doctor or nutritionist will tell you what to change or not in your diet.

Solutions to slow down the appearance of gray hair in adolescents

1 - Eat a balanced diet to slow down the development of gray hair in adolescence

Respect a balanced food consumption. The saying "avoid foods that are too fatty, too sweet, too salty" is also valid for delaying the onset of gray hair. Eat foods rich in vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and trace elements.

Indeed, if you have an imbalance in essential fatty acids, especially in omega 3, you will promote the arrival of the first symptoms of aging, and therefore the bleaching of hair in adolescence.

Consumption of minerals like copper, zinc and iron would have a positive impact on the hair. These would help keep hair follicles healthy. Therefore, they would prevent the premature development of gray hair when you are a teenager.

Le copper is essential in the transmission of pigmentation to the hair. Indeed, melanin is generated by melanocytes thanks to the tyrosinase enzyme. And it is the copper that catalyzes this enzymatic reaction. Thus, a balanced diet and providing the right daily dose of copper will prevent the appearance of gray hair prematurely. However, be careful, copper is toxic if you take too much! Have a blood test to see your copper level before making any changes to your diet.

Vitamins that can be implicated in the appearance of gray hair are B vitamins, and more especially vitamin B12. These vitamins are involved in the production of energy and participate in the proper functioning of the nervous system. Vitamin B12 is found in large quantities in foods of animal origin. If you are following a vegetarian or vegan program, consider taking supplements to fill this deficiency.

Attention also to essential deficiencies in the proper functioning of the body. To get to the point, we advise you to eat fresh, unprocessed produce.

2 - Adopt a healthy lifestyle to avoid the appearance of gray hair in adolescence.

Food

As we mentioned previously, avoid junk food and fast food. Prefer the consumption of fresh foods, and unprepared such as fruits, vegetables, meat, fresh fish, whole grains etc. Know that industrial products are full of toxins. When the liver is saturated, the organ that cleans the body, it can no longer eliminate toxins and this results in premature canities.

Control your stress

Chronic stress It also accelerates the aging of the body and consequently the development of gray hair when you are a teenager. We know stress is hard to control, but try to embrace techniques against stress or engage in activities that relax you.

Tobacco

Avoid smoking which promotes early aging of the skin and hair. Indeed, as we have seen above, studies have shown the relationship between smoking and the appearance of gray or white hair before the age of thirty. 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 decrease as much as possible your consumption.

Remember that in no case, our advice replaces the advice of a professional, such as a doctor, naturopath or nutritionist. If you wish to take stock of your state of health, do not hesitate to call your doctor.

In summary, thanks to natural processes and a healthy lifestyle, you can curb the phenomenon of premature canities and thus avoid the too massive arrival of white hair in adolescence.