Hair naturally loses pigment as we age, but stylist Paul Falltrick points out that the notion that grey hair makes you look older is increasingly becoming a misnomer: "Grey shades can be stereotyped as ageing, but a clean-looking grey is stunning" he says. "Just ask your hair colourist for a light-reflective shade."
White hair is more noticeable in people with a darker hair color. Although white hair is characteristic of aging, colorless hair strands can appear at any age — even while you're still in high school or college. If you're a teenager or in your 20s, you might find one or more strands of white hair.
Silvery strands are one of the more conspicuous signs of aging. That said, getting gray hair doesn't necessarily mean that you're closer to the end of your life span than anyone else your age.
Most people start noticing their first gray hairs in their 30s—although some may find them in their late 20s.
To keep your gray hair healthy, try to avoid over-using heat tools and styling products, as these can lead to unwanted yellow tones in your gray hair. If you do use heat tools, put them on the lowest setting and use a good thermal protectant. If your gray hair yellows, you can try purple shampoo or a purple mask.
The pigment in our hair is caused by melanin— the same pigment that is also responsible for our skin color. Gray hair is caused by a loss in melanin, whereas white hair does not have any melanin at all. As you age, your hair produces less and less melanin that leads your hair to appear gray, and then eventually white.
"Gray or white hair tends to look best with pink, olive, and dark complexions," says Lisa Chiccine, a stylist and owner of the Lisa Chiccine Salon in New York City. "If you're sallow or very pale, you'll probably look washed-out and should consider highlights or lowlights," she says.
For men having white hair was a sign of distinction, hinted at nobility, and was even a sign of virility. It couldn't have been more different for women. It was a sign of their deterioration with age, and the end of their fertility.
Scientists still don't know why some people turn gray early, late, or not at all, although they suspect genes, nutrients and possibly the immune system play a role in depleting melanocyte stem cells.
The researchers found that when hair starts to gray varies by race. The average ages are the mid-30s for whites, late 30s for Asian people, and mid-40s for Black people.
Abstract. Premature graying of hair (PGH) is defined as graying of hair before the age of 20 years in Caucasians and before 30 years in African American population. It can severely affect the self-esteem of an individual.
More Breakage
It's simple fact of life that gray hair is more fragile and finer. This is due to the cuticle being thinner, which provided a protective layer, than when your hair had pigment. So using a delicate hand when styling and avoiding hot tools is important.
Genetics is usually the biggest indicator that you're likely to get white hair at a young age but other factors can speed up the process, too. As mentioned, you may have inherited your parents' predisposition of gray early. "Your predilection for graying is inherited as an autosomal dominant gene," says Dr. Ciraldo.
Just like a person's skin, hair goes through five specific signs of aging, says AGEbeautiful. They are: thinning hair, wiry gray hair, graying hair, dryness and dullness.
Silver, ashy, blond, and platinum are indeed the most popular hair color choices for women over 60.
Typically, white people start going gray in their mid-30s, Asians in their late 30s, and Blacks in their mid-40s. Half of all people have a significant amount of gray hair by the time they turn 50.
After studying information in 69 different publications about hair aging between different races and ethnicities, a group of doctors and scholars found that the average age of hair-graying onset varies according to race: Caucasians: Occurs in mid-30s. Asians: Occurs in late 30s. Africans: Occurs in mid-40s.
Just like the hair on the head, the hair on the rest of the body, including the pubic area, is subject to graying. As people age, their skin produces less melanin. Melanin is the pigment responsible for giving skin and hair its color.
1. Genetics. Your makeup plays a big role in when (or if) you develop white hair. If you notice white hair at an early age, it's likely that your parents or grandparents also had graying or white hair at an early age.
As we get older, the pigment cells in our hair follicles gradually die. When there are fewer pigment cells in a hair follicle, that strand of hair will no longer contain as much melanin and will become a more transparent color — like gray, silver, or white — as it grows.
It is normal for hair color to change, as people age. But white hair can appear at almost any time in life. Even teenagers and people in their 20s may notice strands of white hair. The human body has millions of hair follicles or small sacs lining the skin.
It depends on your skin tone and your shade of gray. Brilliant white, glossy platinum or shiny silver hair is pure genetic luck. It helps if your skin has warm golden undertones or is a rich color. When gray grows in dull, ashy or muddy, it needs help, especially if your complexion is ruddy, sallow or very pale.
It's seriously high maintenance
And I don't just mean in the salon. Before your appointment, it's a good idea to pretreat your hair with heaps of protective oils as, unsurprisingly, bleach can take its toll.
If you're trying to transition to gray hair, you want to avoid an all-over dye job. Instead, have your colorist apply your hair color with foils — much like applying highlights, except you won't be lightening your hair. This will simply help you transition between the two shades seamlessly.