What Causes Gray Hair in Your 20s?

Spotting your first gray hair may catch you by surprise, especially if you see it pop up well before it’s “supposed to.” But the reality is that having gray hair in your 20s is not uncommon. And while that may seem young, experts only categorize gray hair as “premature” if it crops up before your 20s. If you’re wondering what causes gray hair in your 20s, we’ll be the first to tell you there is no singular answer. However, there are several factors that can make you more likely to develop silvery strands earlier than you’d hoped.

We tapped Joshua Zeichner, MD, FAAD, NYC-based board-certified dermatologist and Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital for information on what can lead to hair graying at 20 (or thereabouts). Get the scoop ahead—and learn what you can do to disguise those grays if you’re not quite ready to embrace them yet.

What Can Cause Gray Hair In Your 20s?

We’ll be frank: There’s still a lot that science doesn’t quite understand about hair graying. What we do know, for certain, is that our hair color comes from pigment produced by melanocytes (the same cells that give your skin its color) and is closely tied to stages of the hair cycle, according to the National Library of Medicine. Hair graying happens when the pigment cells in the hair follicle die, which typically occurs with age. Without these pigments, hair starts losing its color which causes them to appear gray or white.

While this explains the biological process of gray hair, there’s more to why one person may have gray hair at 22 and another won’t spot their first grays until their 50s. Below, we’ll explore some common factors that can contribute to gray hair in your 20s.

Genetic factors

With age, graying is largely inevitable. That said, how you gray—including how much of your hair goes gray, what point in your life this graying occurs, and how quickly you go from color to gray—is heavily influenced by your genetics, according to Dr. Zeichner. “We don’t understand why it happens, but it’s thought to be due to free radical damage within the hair follicles,” he says. “If you have a family history of early graying, then you’re likely to go gray early also.”

Some of the causes below, including chronic stress and certain illnesses or vitamin deficiencies, can certainly impact graying—but ultimately, your family history likely plays the biggest role.

Hormonal changes

Research has found that hormonal changes can impact graying hair, which could be a cause of dealing with an early onset of gray hair at 20, 21, 22, or any of those early years. If you’re developing gray hair in your 20s but your immediate family members didn’t start sporting grays until much later, it could be worth checking in with your doctor to make sure your hormone levels are where they should be.

Diet

You’re probably aware that maintaining a well-balanced diet is important for your overall health. What you may not know is that what you eat—or don’t eat—can affect how your hair looks and feels. Vitamin deficiencies, in particular, are linked with premature graying. While adding more fruit and vegetables to your diet isn’t likely to prevent gray hair entirely, it certainly can’t hurt, either.

Chronic stress

A quick bout of stress is not likely to cause your hair to turn gray overnight. However, chronic stress may gradually lead to early graying–yet another reason why practicing self-care and taking the time to relax is so important.

Chronic stress, Dr. Zeichner explains, may “make graying worse in people who are already genetically susceptible.” It could even “lead to graying in people who would not necessarily have gone gray otherwise,” he adds. High stress levels can also lead to other hair concerns, such as hair loss or thinning.

Lifestyle and environment

Nothing happens in a vacuum, and graying hair in your 20s or 30s often involves environmental factors. “We know that UV light exposure can damage the skin and promote free radical damage, which can have an impact on the hair follicles,” Dr. Zeichner explains. “So theoretically, excessive exposure to UV light may contribute to premature graying of the hair.” Conclusive proof confirming this theory has yet to be found—but if you’re looking to keep grays at bay, it can’t hurt to throw on a hat when you go outside.

Health conditions

Lastly, there are certain conditions that can affect whether people go gray in their 20s or earlier than expected. Some of these include vitiligo, alopecia, and hormonal disorders. If you’re not experiencing unusual amounts of stress and don’t have a family history of early graying, Dr. Zeichner recommends visiting your doctor to ensure there are no underlying issues at play.

Gray Hair: Myths Vs. Facts

Lots of myths are perpetuated about gray hair, so it’s important to not believe everything you hear. For example, a common misconception is that you can go gray quickly from a singular stressful event. (The Cleveland Clinic points to a long-standing story about Marie Antoinette going gray the night before her beheading, but this was likely just due to the vegetable dye being washed from her hair). In reality, only chronic, significant stress is shown to contribute to grays—and even that is likely influenced by genetic factors.

Another common myth is that plucking your gray hairs will cause more grays to appear, but there’s also zero proof of this. (You still shouldn’t pluck hair, though).

Some also believe that gray hair is thicker than pigmented hair. This is more of a misconception than an outright myth. While gray hair isn’t actually thicker in diameter than pigmented hair, it often has a more wiry texture, which can make it feel coarse and unmanageable. As for why it has a different texture than the rest of your hair, the jury is still out—though some experts suspect it has to due with a decrease in your scalp’s sebum production.

How To Minimize the Appearance of Gray Hair in Your 20s

Now that you have more insight into what causes gray hair in your 20s, you may be wondering if there’s anything you can do to stop it. The short answer is no, you can’t stop gray hair from sprouting, nor can you reverse the hair graying process. Luckily, there are some great permanent hair dyes, at-home hair gloss treatments, and root coverup products that you can turn to if you’re not quite ready to embrace the tinsel. We’ll share a few of our favorites below.

Root cover up

If you need coverage between hair color applications, a root touchup product like L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Cover Up is worth having on hand. Available in nine colors ranging from blonde to black to vibrant red, this temporary root concealer instantly covers gray hair on all hair types. The lightweight formula dries quickly without leaving a sticky residue and it won't come off until your next shampoo. To use it, shake the bottle, then mist it onto your roots and let it dry for seamless coverage.

If you only have a few stray grays to cover, try the L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Precision Pen. Like the spray, it offers temporary coverage to conceal unwanted grays fast.

All-over hair dye

Hair dye is one of the easiest ways to cover your gray hair, though you’ll want to select a product designed for gray coverage since silver strands can be more resistant to dye.

We love L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Cool Supreme Permanent Gray Coverage Hair Color, which is specifically formulated for gray hair coverage and easily covers even the most stubborn grays. Another option worth trying is the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color. It offers rich, luminous color that resists fading for up to eight weeks and comes in an array of dimensional, flattering shades.

If you prefer ammonia-free hair dyes, give L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Universal Nudes a try. The gentle formula provides 100% gray coverage and protects hair as it colors. Plus, the soft shades are ideal for those seeking a natural-looking result.

And for the gents who want a hair color for men, specifically, L’Oréal Paris Men Expert One-Twist Permanent Hair Color blends grays in just five minutes so you can get as much or as little gray hair coverage as you want. It comes with a no-mess, easy-to-use, twist applicator so you can DIY your gray hair dye job.

Highlights or lowlights

Another option is to ask your colorist to blend your grays with highlights and/or lowlights, which can conceal gray hair more than just leaving it alone. This strategy also adds some beautiful dimension to your mane. Best of all, this approach is completely customizable and works on all different hair colors, textures, and lengths.

Toning and glossing products

Embracing your gray color is another option, of course, and you’d be among numerous celebs and social media creators who’ve made the term “silver fox” an understatement. Toning or glossing your hair can enhance gray hair by neutralizing yellow or orange undertones while boosting shine for silky-looking strands.

For an easy-to-use hair gloss, reach for the L’Oréal Paris Le Color Gloss One Step In-Shower Toning Gloss. This 15-minute treatment comes in 16 colors and can be used in the shower to lightly tint and deep condition your strands. We love the Silver shade for enhancing the cool tones present in gray hair, but if you’d prefer a shine boost sans added tint, reach for the Clear option.

Next Up: 8 Tips For Transitioning To Gray Hair When Your Hair is Colored

Photo Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris