Curious about when those first gray strands might start to appear in your hair?
The appearance of gray hair is a natural part of aging, but the timing varies widely from person to person.
I’m going to let you know the different factors which can affect when we start to see gray hairs, where we can expect to see the first grays poking through, and some tips to help you when you do start to notice the start of gray hairs.
Why Our Hair Turns Gray As We Age
Our hair turns gray, as we age, due to the decline in the production of melanin. The melanin reduction happens as the melanocyte stem cells within our hair’s follicles die off.
Genetics also play a major role in when we begin to notice signs of graying. If your family members went gray early, there’s a chance you might too.
Environmental factors are thought to be responsible for about 70% of hair graying cases, but, contrary to belief, stress isn’t a direct cause of gray hair – even though we’ve all heard the cliché of our hair going gray because we’re stressed.
If you have health conditions like a vitamin B deficiency, neurofibromatosis, or vitiligo, these can affect your hair’s pigmentation, which can cause premature graying.
When Do People Start Getting Gray Hair?
Gray hairs often start to appear when we’re in our mid-30s, but the age of gray hairs to differ from person to person.
For Caucasians, our first gray hairs tend to appear around the age of 35. I noticed my first gray hairs at the age of 11, which was scary at the time, but I didn’t go gray then, it was only in my 30s that I noticed proper gray hairs.
For Asians, gray hairs may be noticeable in the late 30s, and for African Americans, gray hairs might be visible from their mid 40s.
As I mentioned above, it does depend on genetics, environmental factors and our health.
By the age of 50, it is thought that 50% of the population will have significant gray hair, although not everyone will be mainly gray.
Locations Your First Gray Hairs Will Typically Appear
Most people see their initial gray or white hairs on the scalp, typically around the temples or along the hairline – this is definitely where I noticed mine.
The first gray hairs around the temple and hairline will typically start around your mid 30s, but as I explained above, you could notice early graying in your 20s, depending on your genetics, and when your parents first noticed gray hairs.
After you notice your first gray hairs on your scalp, you might next notice gray hairs in body hair, your beard or even nose hair
Tips For Looking After Your Hair When You Notice Your First Gray Hairs
Gray hair has a very different texture to your natural hairs, with gray hairs being thicker, frizzier and hard to style.
If you notice the start of gray hairs along your temple or hair line, ensure you’re using intensively hydrating conditioners or hair masks within your haircare routine, to ensure you’re maintaining both strengh and hydration all-in-on.
You can look for shampoos and conditioners that are specifically designed for gray hair, as they can enhance the appearance of those gray hairs, and also combat any unwanted yellowing, as gray hair has a tendency to look a little brassy.
You can find specific hair toners too, which are actually designed to cancel out the brassy yellow tones, to give a brighter color, rather than a dull brassy tone.
It is also recommended that we have regular trims to keep hair looking fresh and healthy, as this will remove split ends, which will make your hair appear dull.