Why did my hair turn white and not grey?

Author: Richmond Cremin  |  Last update: Sunday, May 25, 2025

Hair follicles slowly produce less and less melanin over time, eventually turning white. You can't always control it. You can't change your genetics, but you may be able to address other causes of white hair like thyroid disorders, stress, and smoking.

Which deficiency causes white hair?

Vitamin B-12 deficiency is one of the most common causes of premature hair turning white. Researchers have noted that vitamin B-12 deficiencies are often concurrent with folic acid and biotin deficiencies in those people whose hair has begun to turn grey at an early age.

Why am I suddenly getting white hair?

White hair is caused by a loss of pigmentation in the hair strand. This can happen due to aging, as the hair follicles produce less melanin over time. Other potential causes include medical conditions such as vitiligo or alopecia, and certain medications can also cause hair to turn white.

Can white hair turn grey again?

Yes , it is possible for color to return to grey hair . As we age , our hair follicles produce less melanin , the pigment that gives hair its color . This results in grey or white hair . However , there are several factors that can contribute to the return of color to grey hair .

Are white hairs caused by stress?

Stress has been shown to speed up signs of aging — including gray hair. When you're stressed, your body has a fight-or-flight response and releases a hormone called norepinephrine. This causes the melanocytes — the cells that produce melanin — to move out of your hair follicles.

Why Some People's Hair Turns Gray

Can vitamin B12 reverse grey hair?

A review of research suggests that proper supplementation may reverse premature graying in those who are deficient in certain nutrients, including iron, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. However, even though some supplements are specifically sold as “anti-graying,” there aren't any studies that prove they work.

What illness makes your hair white?

Marie Antoinette syndrome designates the condition in which scalp hair suddenly turns white.

At what age does white hair start?

Typically, White people start going gray in their mid-30s, Asian people in their late 30s, and Black people in their mid-40s. Half of all people have a significant amount of gray hair by the time they turn 50. A White person is considered to be prematurely gray if their hair turns gray by age 20.

Is it okay to pluck white hair?

No, most experts agree that pulling out gray hair is an impulse best avoided. Though plucking white hairs may seem like a quick and easy solution to your haircare woes, repeated plucking can damage the hair follicle and potentially cause the hair to thin.

What hormones cause white hair?

They found that noradrenaline, also known as norepinephrine, was key to stress-induced hair graying. By injecting noradrenaline under the skin of unstressed mice, the researchers were able to cause melanocyte stem cell loss and hair graying. Noradrenaline is produced mostly by the adrenal glands.

At what age does pubic hair turn white?

In some individuals, the change in color of pubic hair may occur around the age of fifty, but it can happen earlier or later, depending on individual genetic predispositions and lifestyle factors.

How can I stop my hair from turning white?

If you are getting white hair at the age of 18, chances are you are facing premature graying of hair. Thankfully, it can be reversed by eating foods rich in Vitamins B5 & B12. It can also be reduced by limiting exposure to UV Rays and managing stress levels.

Why is my hair not turning gray?

When and how thoroughly your hair turns gray is influenced mostly by the genes you inherit from your parents. Though stress may play a role in the process, it would be more helpful to look to past generations rather than your current stress levels to help you predict when or if you'll go gray.

Which vitamin deficiency causes white hair?

Although the primary cause of premature hair graying (PHG) is considered to be genetic, certain environmental factors also play a role. Trace element deficiencies such as Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3, and calcium may also be associated with PHG.

Can you get a random white hair?

Grays are inevitable, but they can still catch you off guard when they first sprout — especially if you're in your early 20s. For some, it's a random, lone white hair that shows up like an unwelcome house guest, while others might see a ton of gray hair in concentrated areas.

Is white hair caused by stress?

Many things can cause our hair to gray, including genetics and stress. The graying of hair most of the time is unrelated to stress, but it can worsen the graying.

What nationality does not get gray hair?

Melanin is what gives your hair (and skin) its natural color. People of African descent, Thai, and Chinese people, go grey more slowly.

Why did my hair suddenly turn white?

Conclusion. We conclude that there are two likely mechanisms for the phenomenon of sudden hair whitening. Firstly, the washing out, or lack of access to a temporary hair dye. Secondly, alopecia totalis selectively affecting the pigmented hair in an individual in whom the hair was part white and partially pigmented.

Is white hair caused by thyroid?

But when your hair starts to gray earlier than you might expect, it could be related to your thyroid. The thyroid is responsible for regulating your metabolism, so when your thyroid is not working correctly, it can affect every cell in your system - including your hair.

What is the average age to go GREY?

The average age of onset of hair graying appears to be mid- to late forties; however, this varies with race, with the average age for Caucasians being mid-thirties, that for Asians being late thirties, and that for Africans being mid-forties.

Can magnesium reverse grey hair?

There isn't a lot of medical data to back it up, but some research does show that magnesium deficiency may be behind some (not all) causes of gray hair. If this is the cause of your greying, then making sure your magnesium stores are optimal could stop or even reverse the greying of your hair.

What are the negatives to taking B12?

High doses of vitamin B-12, such as those used to treat a deficiency, might cause:
  • Headache.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Fatigue or weakness.
  • Tingling sensation in hands and feet.

Which fruit is rich in vitamin B12?

There are ten major sources of vitamin B12 fruits. These are apples, bananas, oranges, mangoes, strawberries, guava, avocado, pomegranate, kiwi, and blueberries. Apples- Apples rank first in the vitamin B12 fruits list.

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