Why do people get white hair at a young age?

Lara Quigaman opened up about her white hair in a recent Instagram post, saying she is now embracing her natural hair at 43.

According to Lara, she has been dyeing her hair since her early thirties, but genetics played a role in her early graying hair.

According to Healthline, some people get white hair at a young age because it runs in their family.

If you get hair at an early age, it is possible your parents and grandparents did too.

Below are a few more reasons why some people get white hair at an early age.

1. Sun exposure

Sun exposure or UV rays can cause oxidative stress, or an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants, Health.com added.

Meanwhile, according to the study, “Interferon Regulatory Factors 4 (IRF4) Gene and Hair Graying,” gray hair is also more sensitive to weather conditions and UV rays.

UV exposure may damage the melanin in hair follicles. A lower amount of melanin also makes hair more likely to be damaged in the sun.

2. Hair products

The chemicals in hair dyes and other products, including shampoos, can play a role in early hair graying, Medical News Today said.

Hair dyes often have the chemical hydrogen peroxide, which causes hair to lighten. Excessive bleaching will also contribute to premature graying.

3. Stress

Another reason for graying hair? Stress.

The study, “Hyperactivation of sympathetic nerves drives depletion of melanocyte stem cells,” found that stress can cause hair to turn gray prematurely, when the stem cells responsible for regenerating hair pigment are affected.

The study found that “in mice, acute stress leads to hair greying through the fast depletion of melanocyte stem cells,” which are cells responsible for producing pigment in hair and skin.

Note that stress manifests in a number of ways, including sleep deprivation, anxiety, change in appetite, high blood pressure, and more.

4. Health conditions

Illnesses such as autoimmune diseases and thyroid disorders can also affect hair color.

An autoimmune disease occurs when the body mistakenly attacks healthy cells. In cases of alopecia and vitiligo, the immune system can attack hair and cause color loss, Healthline said.

According to the study, “Premature Graying of Hair: Review with Updates” decreased thyroid hormones can cause premature graying, as well as hair loss, alopecia, and hair composition.

Hysem Eldik MD, a board-certified dermatologist, told Allure magazine that a vitamin B12 deficiency also affects hair color. It may result in pernicious anemia, an autoimmune condition due to severe vitamin B12 deficiency that destroys stomach cells.

"Vitiligo is shown to be associated with pernicious anemia," Dr. Eldik said. "So it's likely that patients who had a vitamin B12 deficiency also had vitiligo, which presented as premature graying, as opposed to a vitamin B12 deficiency causing it directly."

5. Smoking

Smoking tobacco or cigarettes is also a cause of hair graying. Smoking may cause the nicotine to build up in the hair follicles, thus affecting hair color, Health.com said. — LA, GMA News