Greying in Your Twenties: Normal or a Sign of Health Problems?

Finding the first grey hair in your twenties can be alarming. Many people believe greying only begins in the forties or fifties. Greying at a young age is influenced by a range of factors, from genetics and stress to daily lifestyle. In medical terms, the condition is known as premature greying.

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick explains that hair derives its colour from melanin produced by melanocytes in the hair follicle.

So, is greying in your twenties still considered normal? Here is the explanation.

One of the most common causes of premature greying is genetic factors. If a parent or relative begins to go grey before the age of 30, it is likely that the same condition could occur in the next generation.

Trichologist and founder of Arey, Jay Small, said researchers have identified a gene named IRF4 linked to the process of hair whitening.

“This gene regulates the production of the enzyme tyrosinase, which directly influences the amount of melanin that can be produced by the hair follicle,” Small explained.

However, he added that genetic factors account for only around 30 percent of the causes of greying. The rest is influenced by bodily condition and daily lifestyle.

Therefore, a person with a family history of early greying does not necessarily experience the same sooner. However, the risk of onset is indeed higher than others.

Stress is another factor most often linked to premature greying. Work pressure, lack of sleep, personal problems, and emotional exhaustion can all affect hair health overall.

“When cortisol levels remain high, it creates an inflammatory environment in the scalp that can deplete the melanocyte stem cells responsible for hair colour,” Small explained.

In chronic stress, the body prioritises survival over improving non-essential functions, including pigment production. As a result, new hairs may grow with a paler colour or even white.

Not surprisingly, some people begin to see greying after prolonged mental stress lasting months or years.