20 year old going grey

Okay so with my 20 birthday in only a week and a half I`m already noticing grey hair! Not just a strand or two, but so many that they look like highlights! I plucked one to get a better look and it is totally without pigmentation! When did you notice your first grey hair? Am I too stressed or is this permanant?

Here is a summary on gray from a book I have:

When our bodies are functioning properly, cells in the hair follicles called melanocytes generate pigments -- the chief one being melanin. When the melanocytes stop producing these pigments, we sprout a transparent hair, which appears as gray due to the color of the dead cells that comprise the strand.

Why does this happen? The most common reason is heredity. But there are also several medical conditions characterized by graying of the hair. A B-12 deficiency, a thyroid imbalance, and anemia can all cause premature gray hair. And if you needed yet another reason to quit smoking, there is new evidence that smokers are four times more likely to go gray at a young age.

The common belief that psychological shock or trauma can turn hair gray overnight is cause for a fair amount of controversy. While some people claim such an occurrence, many scientists question the actual time frame involved.


So, if you have a FEW gray hairs, don`t worry about it. If you aren`t already, you might try taking a good multivitamin and take good care of yourself - the extra effort will be reflected in the condition of your hair. :)

Thanks Gord... yeah it`s all the same length... not as long as I want it, but longer...

I know this is a very old message but i was flicking through and thought i had to answer this. I know exactly how you feel! i noticed grey hair at a around 20 and like you not just a few strands, im now 23 and i colour my hair, i don''''t think it has got much worse since and you get used to it, it will happen to everyone one day and there is always hair colourents. My Mother went grey early so i think it''''s genetic, plus at that time a had a lot of truma which could explane why it happened so fast and hasn''''t got worse. I hope if you see this it will help you feel better to see you not alone.

Long hair is beautiful. Even long gray hair.