Quick Answer
It’s normal to start getting some white hairs anytime after age 30. By age 50, 50% of the population has at least some grey hair. By age 65, about two thirds of people have a significant amount of grey hair. However, some people go grey at a much younger age, while others retain their original hair color into old age. Genetics plays a big role.
When Does Grey Hair Usually Start?
Grey hair, or white hair, happens when melanin (pigment) production decreases in the hair follicles. As we age, the melanocytes (melanin producing cells) become less active, resulting in reduced melanin in each individual hair.
While some grey hairs can appear starting around age 30, most Caucasians start seeing some greying in their mid-30s to late 30s. By age 50, about 50% of the population has 50% grey hair. By age 65, about two thirds of the population has a significant amount of grey hair.
However, this timeline varies quite a bit between individuals due to genetics, environment, stress levels, and other factors. Some people start going grey in their teens, while others retain their original hair color well into old age.
Here is an overview of when grey hair often starts for most ethnicities:
Caucasians
– Mid 30s to late 30s: Start of grey hair
– 50% have 50% grey hair by age 50
– By age 65, about two thirds have significant grey hair
Asians
– Late 30s to early 40s: Start of grey hair
– 50% have 50% grey hair by age 60
– By age 65, about half have significant grey hair
Africans
– Late 30s to mid 40s: Start of grey hair
– 50% have 50% grey hair by age 65
– By age 80, about half have significant grey hair
Hispanics
– Late 30s to early 40s: Start of grey hair
– 50% have 50% grey hair by mid 50s
– By age 65, about two thirds have significant grey hair
As you can see, Caucasians tend to go grey a bit earlier than other ethnicities. However, there is still significant variation within each group.
What Factors Influence When You Go Grey?
Many factors can influence when an individual starts to go grey, including:
Genetics
Genetics plays a major role in when someone’s hair turns grey. If your parents or grandparents went grey at an early age, you are more likely to as well. However, inheriting genes for late greying is no guarantee. Environmental factors can still cause your hair to go grey sooner.
Gender
Men tend to go grey earlier than women. On average, men start going grey in their mid 30s, while women begin greying in their late 30s and 40s. However, grey hair progresses faster in women once it starts.
Stress Levels
Stress takes a toll on our bodies in numerous ways. Chronic stress and traumatic events can accelerate greying of hair. One study found people who went through a major life crisis were 6 times more likely to have a significant amount of grey hair in the following 2-3 months than those who had not experienced trauma.
Smoking
Smoking has been linked to premature greying. The toxins in cigarette smoke appear to damage melanocytes. Heavy smokers tend to go grey 5-10 years earlier than non-smokers. Quitting can slow the process.
Nutrition
Deficiencies in vitamin B12, copper, and minerals like iron, selenium, and zinc can contribute to premature greying. Eating a nutrient rich diet helps support melanin production.
Medical Conditions
Certain medical problems are associated with early onset grey hair, including thyroid disorders, vitiligo, and autoimmune diseases like alopecia areata. When the medical issue is treated, new hair growth may return to its normal color.
Environmental Factors
Exposure to pollutants, toxic chemicals, and sun damage can increase oxidative stress and accelerate greying. Avoiding these can help delay the process.
Premature Greying of Hair
While finding a few stray grey hairs in your 20s or 30s is normal, going prematurely grey before age 30 is more concerning. About 2% of people under 30 have at least 50% grey hair.
Some causes of premature greying include:
– Genetics – Having parents or grandparents who went grey early
– Vitamin B12 deficiency
– Autoimmune disorders
– Thyroid dysfunction
– Albinism
– Smoking
– Malnutrition
– Hydrogen peroxide in hair dye
– Low vitamin D
– Chronic cold exposure
If you are greying early, it’s a good idea to get tested for vitamin deficiencies and other medical conditions. Catching and correcting the underlying problem may help restore pigment.
In cases where no treatable cause is found, options like temporary hair dye or permanent hair pigmentation treatments can cosmetically cover grey hairs at an early age.
Is It Possible to Reverse Grey Hair?
Once a hair follicle loses its melanin producing cells, that individual hair cannot regain its original pigment. However, some natural remedies may help slow down the greying process.
Stress Management
Chronic stress accelerates greying. Yoga, meditation, counseling, socializing, and other stress management techniques can promote relaxation and may delay the process.
Quit Smoking
Giving up smoking can stop additional oxidative damage to hair follicles. It may prevent existing grey hairs from becoming whitened.
Antioxidants
Foods and supplements high in antioxidants – like vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, copper, and zinc – can neutralize some of the oxidative damage to melanocytes that causes greying.
Scalp Massage
Massaging the scalp improves circulation which provides more nourishment to follicles. Some natural oils like coconut, rosemary, and thyme oil may provide extra benefit.
Stay Out of the Sun
Exposure to UVA and UVB radiation can degrade melanocytes and spur grey hair growth. Wearing sunscreen, hats, and avoiding excessive time in sunlight are good precautions.
While these measures may help slow the greying process, true reversal of grey hairs is not possible without pigmentation medical treatments like dyeing or micropigmentation.
When to See a Doctor
Premature greying can sometimes be a symptom of an underlying medical disorder, especially when occurring under age 25. Seeing a doctor is a good idea if you have significant greying before age 30.
Testing can check for issues like:
– Thyroid dysfunction
– Vitamin B12 deficiency
– Anemia
– Autoimmune disorders
Treating the underlying condition may help improve melanin production in new hair growth.
See your doctor promptly if sudden greying occurs along with other symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, dry skin, or feeling cold. This could signal a thyroid disorder or autoimmune disease.
Seek medical advice if greying is patchy, only affects one area, or is accompanied by hair loss. This may indicate alopecia areata or vitiligo. Addressing these conditions can help.
While going grey is largely genetic, lifestyle factors make a difference too. Managing stress, getting nutrients, avoiding smoking, and protecting your hair from sun damage can help delay this natural process. Most people have a mix of grey and colored hair by age 65.
Conclusion
Greying of hair is a natural part of the aging process, but genetics and environmental influences cause it to occur at different ages. While some grey hairs can appear after age 30, most Caucasians start seeing significant greying in their mid-30s to early 40s. Asians, Africans, and Hispanics tend to grey slightly later, but with significant individual variation.
Factors like stress, smoking, thyroid disease, and deficiencies can accelerate greying. Completely reversing grey hair is not possible, but measures like stress management, diet, scalp massage, and quitting smoking may help slow the process. If greying starts before age 25, seeing a doctor is wise to check for an underlying medical condition that could be treatable. While greying can’t be stopped, maintaining healthy hair habits can help delay this inevitable aging sign.