Surprising Reasons Behind People in Their 20s and 30s Getting Gray Hair

A problem that even famous celebrities cannot avoid
The worst-case scenario is… in the area where gray hairs are pulled out

Even famous celebrities can be seen with the occasional gray strand. Actor Yoo Ah-in, who recently came under controversy for drug use allegations, was seen last month with a fair amount of gray hair. Looking around, it’s common to see people in their 20s and 30s with a few gray strands.

So, what causes gray hair at a young age? Let’s delve deeper.

Photo to aid understanding of the article / Parkin Srihawong

Even young celebrities who care for their hair can’t avoid going gray.

Genetic factors influence hair graying, but the environment also plays a significant role.

Various reasons cause gray hair, including the lack of melanin production. Melanin is a cell that produces pigments and has a black-brown color.

The color of hair is determined by the melanin pigment present in the hair shaft, which constitutes more than 80% of the hair.

Therefore, if there is a lack of melanin, regardless of age, black hair can lighten, leading to the growth of gray hair.

Yoo Ah-in heading to court for his second detention hearing. / Yonhap News

Melanin pigment is destroyed when exposed to strong ultraviolet rays. Ultraviolet rays are divided into types A and B depending on the wavelength, and the longer the wavelength, the deeper it reaches into the skin. In particular, ultraviolet A rays with the longest wavelength have high penetration power, inducing decolorization.

Stress can also be a cause of gray hair. Extreme stress increases adrenaline secretion, constricting the blood vessels in the scalp. This leads to a decrease in the supply of rich nutrients to the hair follicles and a decrease in melanin production. In addition, an unbalanced diet due to excessive dieting or improper eating habits can also lead to the growth of gray hair.

Some people avoid plucking their gray hair because they fear growing more. Fortunately, the number of hair follicles, the holes from which hair grows, and the number of hairs growing from each follicle are predetermined, so the growth of gray hair does not increase.

Shutterstock image to aid understanding of the text. / tkyszk-shutterstock.com

However, the hair roots can weaken if you pluck your hair with physical force like tweezers. This can result in damage or inflammation of the hair follicles.

Artificial stimulation negatively affects the lifespan and growth cycle of hair. It can alter the natural cycle of hair loss and regrowth. In the worst-case scenario, new hair may not grow back in the area where gray hair was plucked, leading to hair loss.

The lifespan of hair is usually five years; after the age of twenty, hair becomes thinner, and its lifespan shortens. After plucking gray hair, it takes more than three months for new hair to grow.

If a lot of gray hair suddenly appears, it may be necessary to review your regular diet. It’s important to check whether your meals lack vitamins B12, folic acid, and zinc, abundant in green vegetables and meat. If these nutrients are lacking, melanin production may not occur properly.

It’s also helpful to regularly consume foods that strengthen hair roots. Soybeans and tofu, rich in plant protein, are typical examples.

In addition, seaweeds such as kelp, seaweed and kelp stimulate the formation of keratin, the main component of hair, providing nutrients to the scalp and strengthening hair.

Alcohol and cigarettes constrict the microblood vessels of the scalp, making nutrient supply difficult, so it’s best to avoid them as much as possible.

Lastly, the probability of getting gray hair before 30 is 2.5 times higher in smokers than in non-smokers.