When Gray Hair Appears and Why It Happens

Everyone starts aging from the moment they are born,

and as the years go by,

they also grow older.

After growing up, becoming an adult, and

going through the aging process to become elderly,

we experience countless changes in both

physical and mental aspects. During that time,

our strength declines, our immune system weakens,

and the functions of all organs gradually

deteriorate.

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Of course, one may want to go back to a younger

version of oneself, but that is nearly impossible.

According to one research finding, humans

go through periods of rapid aging three times,

at ages 34, 60, and 78. In particular,

it is said to begin around age 26 and

progress most rapidly when the body reaches

age 38. When that happens, signs of aging

begin to appear one by one in each part of

the body. Among them are visible changes in

the skin, and in contrast to before, if you

notice that your hair seems a little thinner

than it used to be and that a white strand

stands out among your black natural hair,

you may worry that aging has come for you,

too. Recently, more people in their 30s have

been worrying about these gray hairs.

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I understand that the time when gray hair

starts to appear is in the 40s, but white

hair that begins appearing earlier than the

average age is not exactly a welcome guest.

So, let’s share information about why it

starts earlier than in others and whether

there are ways to prevent it in advance.

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First of all, white hair can be considered

one of the natural signs of decline that

appear in people. However, when you suddenly

look at your changed appearance one day, the

visual shock and sense of unease caused by

gray hair make it even more noticeable. Gray

hair in someone who is relatively young may

not be a sign of aging, and this is called

premature gray hair.

Unlike gray hair in general, premature gray

hair appears in one spot and does not spread,

usually remaining as just a few strands in

that place. But if it appears in multiple

areas, it can become a major concern.

Generally, the time when gray hair first

starts to appear is known to be around ages

30 to 34 for men and 35 to 39 for women, and

gray hair that appears during this period can

be said to fall within the normal range.

From this point on, aging gradually accelerates

and increases over time, and by the time people

reach their 50s, about 50% of the hair on the

head may have turned white. The change from

natural hair to white hair also progresses in

sequence: it starts on the sides, then appears

in the front and back, and is especially first

noticed under the ears or on the sides of the

ears.

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The reason gray hair appears in that area is

because the skin is thin and has fewer blood

vessels than other areas. Since the point at

which it becomes noticeably more common is

around age 40, hair loss may also accompany

it from that time on, so it can be said that

greater attention should be paid to the overall

health of the scalp and hair.

What determines hair color are the melanin

cells in the hair. Younger people have no

abnormalities in their melanin cells, so they

can maintain a glossy color. These melanin

cells determine not only hair color but also

skin color, and in East Asians, this pigment

is abundantly contained in natural hair, which

is why black hair can be consistently maintained.

The less melanin there is, the more the hair

takes on a brown or blond color, and in the

case of white hair during the period when gray

hair appears, it means that these cells have

completely disappeared.

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These cells are determined by genes, so the

time when gray hair appears can also be said

to be judged by genetic factors. However,

even though such factors can have an influence, it cannot be broadly generalized to apply in

all cases. Also, as we age, the amount of

pigment production gradually decreases and

white discoloration begins to appear, which

is a normal phenomenon, and the signs of aging

do not interfere with pigment production.

Melanin pigment cells, which determine this

period and hair color, may decrease in number

for various reasons.

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First, stress is often said to be the root of

all illness, and it has negative effects on

many parts of the body. Its impact can also

affect natural hair. There is even a saying

that the more a person has to think and use

their head in their work, the more likely

their hair is to turn white, and severe stress

can make gray hair appear quickly. When a

person experiences excessive emotional stress

such as anger and fear, white hair is more

likely to appear. If mental stress continues,

blood vessels constrict, circulation is impaired, and nutrition is not properly delivered to the

hair roots. Stress also promotes the generation

of active oxygen, accelerating the body’s aging

process. When aging progresses quickly, the

entire body becomes older than its actual age,

which can lead to gray hair. In addition,

thyroid disease can usually reduce the function

of the cells that produce melanin, and if there

is a problem with the pituitary gland, which

secretes hormones, it can ultimately cause an

imbalance in hormone production and bring the

onset of gray hair earlier.

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In addition, conditions such as diabetes,

anemia, kidney disease, vitamin deficiency, and

malnutrition can also disrupt melanin cell

function. Therefore, in order to prevent white

hair from appearing, it is best to refrain as

much as possible from excessive drinking and

smoking, since they can interfere with nutrient

absorption and blood circulation and harm the

health of natural hair. Also, to help make

natural hair stronger and darker, it is helpful

to regularly eat foods containing high-quality

plant-based protein, such as black beans and

black sesame, and maintain that habit. In

addition, developing the habit of regularly

performing scalp massages, which help blood

circulation and improve blood flow to natural

hair so that nutrients can be delivered better,

can also have a positive effect during the time

when gray hair appears.

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