What Causes Gray Hair in Your 20s? Causes, Prevention, and Solutions for Premature Graying

If you notice your first gray hair at a young age, it’s almost exciting. But if one stray gray turns into many, the novelty may wear off quickly, replaced by feelings of frustration or dread. 

Graying is a natural part of aging, but that doesn’t mean it’s always a welcome change—especially before you’ve even hit 30.

Here, we’ll cover common causes of gray hair in your 20s, who’s more likely to go gray early, and what you can do about premature graying.

Our skin and hair contain a pigment called melanin. As we age, melanin production naturally drops, and less melanin can result in gray hair. (Similarly, a complete lack of melanin is what causes white hair.)

In cases of premature gray hair, something in a person’s genes, lifestyle, or environment causes melanin production to decline early. Below are some of the most common causes. 

Genetics

Break out the family photo album, because if one of your parents went gray early, you’re more likely to as well. In fact, a 2022 study found that people are three to five times more likely to go gray prematurely if their parents did so before turning 30.

Smoking

You don’t need us to tell you that smoking isn’t good for you, but add this to the list of reasons to quit: Research shows smoking is linked to hair graying before the age of 30 (as a quick caveat, the study only included people living in Jordan).

What’s the connection? Researchers think the chemicals in cigarettes interfere with melanin production, and as we know, less melanin can lead to gray hair.

Stress

You may have heard jokes about stress causing your hair to turn gray, but research shows there is a potential connection. 

A 2021 study found a link between people who reported stressful life events and gray hair, while a 2013 study found that stress caused a depletion of stem cells in the hair follicles of mice. This could theoretically cause graying because melanocytes, which produce the pigment melanin, come from melanocyte stem cells (McSCs). (Still, the latter study was done in mice, so we can’t necessarily extend the results to humans.)

The silver lining? That 2021 study also found that gray hair may be reversible, specifically when it's associated with stress. So once the stressor is behind you, there’s some evidence that hair could return to its natural color.

Certain Health Conditions

Premature hair graying may also be a sign of certain medical conditions, according to a 2021 review article.

Autoimmune diseases that affect the skin and scalp can sometimes cause gray hair, including alopecia areata, which is marked by sudden and patchy hair loss, and vitiligo, which causes patches of skin and hair to lose pigment. 

Thyroid disorders can also cause premature graying, as thyroid hormones help regulate the body’s production of melanin.

The 2021 review also notes that premature grays are associated with high cholesterol, obesity, and heart disease.

Medications

Certain medications may also cause premature graying, which is usually reversible once you stop taking them. These include:

• Chloroquine, which is used to prevent and treat malaria 

• Hydroxychloroquine, used to treat malaria as well as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus

• Imatinib, a chemotherapy drug

• Interferon, which treats hepatitis B and C, certain cancers, and genital warts

• Phenytoin and valproate, which help control seizures

• Tamoxifen, used to prevent and treat breast cancer

Vitamin and Nutrient Deficiencies

Research shows that a deficiency in any of the following may lead to premature graying:

• Copper

• Ferritin

• Zinc

• Folic acid (folate)

• Vitamin B12

• Vitamin B7 (biotin)

Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress happens when free radicals build up in your body faster than your body can remove them. Unlike emotional stress, these free radicals can come from things like pollution, sunlight (UV rays), or smoking. Free radicals can damage cells, including the melanocytes responsible for giving hair its pigment. 

Anyone can start seeing gray hair in their 20s, especially if it’s in your genetics. However, there is an interesting correlation between race and the onset of graying.

Generally, white folks start to gray the earliest, followed by Asian people, then Black people. Specifically, research has found that “hair-graying onset varies with race, with the average age for Caucasians being mid-30s, that for Asians being late 30s, and that for Africans being mid-40s.”

In fact, some research defines premature graying as happening “before the age of 20 years in Caucasians and before 30 years in [the] African-American population.”

Wondering how to stop gray hair at an early age? Well, there’s good news and bad news.

If premature graying is part of your genes, there’s not much you can do to prevent it (other than embracing hair dye). However, a few lifestyle tweaks can help prevent premature graying caused by your lifestyle.

• Eat a balanced diet: Include foods rich in vitamins B12, D, and antioxidants to support hair health. Check out our guide to the best foods for hair growth for more information  on the link between diet and hair health.

• Consider supplementing: If bloodwork confirms you have a nutritional deficiency, talk to your doctor about taking a supplement. Our biotin gummies contain vitamins to support hair health, including folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and vitamin B6.

• Use gentle hair care: Avoid harsh products and high heat whenever possible.

• Monitor stress levels: Learn tools for managing stress, such as meditation, journaling, or spending time outside or with loved ones.

• Seek out expert advice: If you suspect a medical or skin condition is causing your hair to turn gray prematurely, check in with a board-certified dermatologist or other healthcare professional.

Noticing gray hair at a young age? You’re not alone. Here’s what to remember.

• Premature graying is often caused by genetics, stress, smoking, certain medical conditions, or nutrient deficiencies like vitamin B12.

• Lifestyle changes like managing stress, eating a nutrient-rich diet, and avoiding smoking may help delay premature graying.

• If you notice early graying, consult a healthcare provider to rule out underlying health conditions.