White hair is caused by a lack of melanin, the pigment which gives hair its natural color. While the color of hair is mostly determined by genes, white hair may also be a symptom of a medical condition or side effect of medication.
In addition to age, some of the other causes of white hair include:
1. Vitiligo: Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder that causes the loss of skin and hair pigmentation. It affects an estimated 1% of the population and is more prominent in those of African, Asian, and Hispanic heritage.
2. Alopecia Areata: Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that causes patchy hair loss. It can also cause white hair in the affected areas.
3. Thyroid Conditions: Thyroid conditions such as hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s disease and Grave’s disease can all cause white hair.
4. Nutritional Deficiencies: Vitamin B12 and copper deficiencies can cause white hair. Other deficiencies such as zinc and omega-3 fatty acid can contribute to premature graying.
5. Anemia: Iron-deficiency anemia is a common cause of white hair.
6. Chemotherapy and Radiation Treatment: Chemotherapy and radiation treatment may cause white hair. The hair may return to its original color or stay white in some cases.
7. Stress: Although the impact of stress on hair coloring is not fully understood, some research suggests that it may be a contributing factor in some cases of premature graying.
Table of Contents
What diseases turn your hair white?
Some diseases can cause a person’s hair to turn white, however this is a rare occurrence. These conditions are called poliosis, which is a condition where individual hairs, or patches of hair, prematurely turn white.
This can happen due to conditions like alopecia areata, a type of autoimmune disorder which causes patchy hair loss, or generally due to aging. Other conditions that can cause poliosis include vitiligo, albinism, Waardenburg Syndrome, and Turner Syndrome.
These conditions are most often caused by genetic mutations, though some can also be caused by environmental or lifestyle factors. In the case of vitiligo, poliosis may be caused by a person’s immune system attacking the melanocytes responsible for coloring the hair.
As these conditions can be a sign of a more severe underlying disease, it is important to have any hair whitening thoroughly checked out by a medical professional.
What causes hair to suddenly turn white?
Hair turning suddenly white is known as Marie Antoinette Syndrome and is most commonly caused by excessive amounts of stress. It is a rare condition that causes rapid whitening of the hair and is usually limited to a particular area of the head, such as the scalp or eyebrows.
It’s thought to be triggered by extreme physical or emotional stress. Causes can include sudden shock or grief, a severe illness, or other life-changing event. Other reported causes of Marie Antoinette Syndrome include malnutrition, thyroid or adrenal gland problems, chemotherapy, very high doses of vitamins, or an autoimmune disorder.
Genetics may also play a role in causing this condition. While the exact cause of Marie Antoinette Syndrome is unknown, most hair professionals believe it is a result of a disruption of melanocyte cells, which are responsible for producing the pigment in hair.
Can stress and anxiety cause white hair?
Stress and anxiety can lead to the production of the stress hormone cortisol, which can in turn lead to the production of certain compounds like homocysteine. These compounds have been linked to the production of gray and white hair.
However, other studies have shown that gray and white hair may be associated with other conditions, such as certain autoimmune diseases and deficiencies in certain nutrients. Additionally, researchers have suggested that aging and genetics play a significant role in developing gray and white hair as well.
Therefore, while it is possible that stress and anxiety can contribute to white/gray hair, there is no definitive evidence to prove this directly.
Is white hair caused by stress permanent?
No, white hair caused by stress is not permanent. Hair coloring is a process that involves bleaching, dyeing and/or toning and this process can help to reverse the effects of stress-induced white hair.
Stress can cause the hair follicles to prematurely produce melanin, which is the pigment that gives hair its color. As a result, some of the hair turns white. However, the hair follicles can be reset and new, pigmented hair can grow in with the help of a hair coloring process.
This can bring back the original hair color in most cases.
Can illness change hair color?
Yes, it is possible for illness to cause a change in hair color. This is known as disease-induced hair color change, and it is most commonly seen in autoimmune conditions, like alopecia areata and vitiligo.
Disease-Induced hair color change can be permanent or temporary, depending on multiple factors, including the cause of the illness and the individual’s overall health. In some cases, the hair may be lighter or darker than the original color, and in other cases, it may be a more noticeable change.
This can be caused by hormonal disturbances, medications, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. People who are ill may also experience more general changes in their hair, such as graying, thinning, dryness, or brittle texture.
It is important to note that hair color change from illness is not dangerous, and it will not directly affect the individual’s health. If you are concerned about any changes in your hair, it is best to speak to your doctor.
Why does hair turn white instead of gray?
Hair turns white as a person ages due to a decrease in melanin production. Melanin is a pigment that gives our skin and hair their natural color. As we age, our bodies stop producing melanin, which causes hair to lose its color and turn white.
This process is called graying, and the time it takes for hair to turn white is different for everyone. Some people might begin to gray in their late 20s while others may not start developing white hair until their 40s.
There are also certain medical conditions that can cause hair to turn gray prematurely, such as vitiligo or alopecia. These conditions cause the body to produce less melanin than usual and can lead to early graying.
It’s important to talk to your doctor if you notice your hair beginning to turn gray at an unusual age.
What vitamin or mineral deficiency causes white hair?
Vitamin or mineral deficiencies can cause a variety of hair related problems, including premature graying or white hair. The most common deficiencies that can cause white hair are vitamin B12, zinc, and copper deficiencies.
Vitamin B12 works to produce healthy red blood cells, which transport oxygen to the scalp and hair follicles. Those with vitamin B12 deficiencies may experience thinning hair or hair loss in addition to the graying of their hair.
Zinc is essential for the production of melanin, the pigment that gives hair its color. When the body does not have enough zinc, melanin production can decrease causing the hair to become gray.
Copper deficiencies can also cause white hair as copper works as a cofactor for the enzyme tyrosinase, which helps to produce melanin. When the body does not have enough copper, melanin production can be disrupted resulting in white hair.
In addition to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, white hair can also be caused by genetics and aging.
Why am I suddenly getting white hair?
There can be several reasons why you’re getting white hair suddenly.
One of the most common causes of white hair is genetics. Your genes dictate how much pigment your hair produces, so if you are genetically predisposed to having white hair, you may start going white at a younger age.
Another cause is stress. When you feel overwhelmed or anxious, it can lead to premature white hair or hair loss. Stress triggers a hormone called cortisol that can damage your follicles and cause them to lose their natural color.
Certain health conditions can also lead to white hair. Thyroid problems, anemia, and vitamin B12 deficiency have all been linked to premature grey hair.
Alopecia areata, a type of autoimmune disorder, can also cause white spots in your hair. This disorder causes your immune system to attack its own hair follicles, making the hair they produce turn white.
Finally, certain medications can also cause white hair. Chemotherapy drugs and antibiotics are known to cause white hair, as are some cholesterol medications.
There are a variety of potential causes of sudden white hair, so it is best to visit your doctor. They can help diagnose any underlying medical conditions and guide you toward the proper treatment.
How can I stop white hair?
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to completely prevent white hair from occurring as it is a natural part of the aging process. However, there are a few different measures you can take to slow down the greying process.
Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet that includes plenty of vitamins and minerals can help with retaining healthy hair color. Avoiding stress, smoking, and exposure to pollutants like chemicals and dust is important too.
Additionally, using hair dyes or hair masks that contain ingredients like amla and bhringraj can help prevent premature greying and encourage the growth of darker hair. Regular scalp massages with essential oils such as coconut and castor oil may help as well, as they can help to stimulate blood flow to the hair follicles and nourish the scalp.
Lastly, treatments such as laser therapy and PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy may be helpful for some individuals and can be discussed with a dermatologist.
Should I pluck white hair?
That is a personal choice. While plucking white hair won’t harm you, it can be time consuming and often, the white hair that grows back can be coarse. To ensure you don’t damage your hair, make sure you don’t tug on the hairs or pull too hard.
If the hair is stubborn, consult with a hair professional or use a good pair of stainless steel tweezers to help remove it. Additionally, if you choose to pluck the hair regularly, be sure to follow up with a moisturiser to keep the area hydrated and to avoid any possible skin irritation.
Ultimately, the decision to remove the hair is up to you, but if the process becomes too tedious, you may want to consider other alternatives such as dyeing the white hairs, or even better, embracing them.
Can white hair turn black again?
No, unfortunately, once you have white hair, it cannot turn back to black. Hair turns white when melanin production in the hair follicle stops. Melanin is a pigment that gives hair its color, so when it stops being produced, the result is white hair.
While there are products such as hair dyes and tonics available to help darken white hair, these are only temporary solutions. The only permanent solution for white hair is hair transplantation. During this procedure, healthy follicles with melanin production intact are taken from areas with darker hair and transplanted into areas with white hair.
This procedure can help restore the natural color of the hair and restore the self-confidence of the individual. However, this procedure is expensive and may not always be an option for some individuals.
Does plucking white hair increase them?
No – plucking white hair does not increase them. Plucking one white hair may cause another white hair to grow in its place, but it won’t increase the number of white hairs on the scalp. It’s mainly due to the fact that white hairs are caused by a natural process of aging, and so plucking them won’t make any difference.
Additionally, because white hair can be fragile, there is a risk of damaging the existing hair follicle, or causing inflammation and infection when plucking or tweezing the hair. As such, it is not recommended to pluck white hairs – instead, it is better to embrace them as part of the natural aging process.
Can low iron cause white hair?
No, low iron cannot cause white hair. While hair color is largely determined by genetics and age, iron levels may play a role in hair health and texture, though this is still being studied. A lack of iron can cause anemia, which can lead to poor hair and nail health, slow hair growth, and even hair loss.
However, it does not directly lead to white hair. More research is needed to understand how iron levels may be connected to hair changes, but at this time, it is not believed to be a cause of white hair.
At what age hair turns white?
The age at which hair turns white varies from person to person and is largely determined by genetics. Generally, hair begins to turn gray or white around age 30 and becomes more pronounced around age 50.
However, some people may start to notice gray hairs as early as age 20 or in their late 30s, while others may not experience any gray hair until their 70s. The rate at which a person’s hair turns white can also vary greatly; some people experience rapid graying, while others may take decades before they have noticeable white strands.
Additionally, the cause of the graying process can differ from one person to the other; some may experience graying due to genetics, while others may have premature graying caused by vitamin deficiencies, stress, poor diet, smoking, or even too much exposure to the sun.
