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Hairnightmare  Asks...

I'm 15 years old and I'm getting grey hairs!!! I don't even know why or what to do. Please help me!!!!!

 

What we suggest...

 

Hi, thanks for contacting q2a with your enquiry.

People can get grey hair at any age. Some people go grey at a young age - as early as when they are in high school or college. This is known as premature greying or Cavities. How early we get grey hair is determined by our genes. This means that most of us will start having grey hairs around the same age that our parents or grandparents first did.

Grey hair is more noticeable in people with darker hair because it stands out, but people with naturally lighter hair are just as likely to go grey. 

So why does this happen?

Each hair on our heads is made up of two parts:

The root of every strand of hair is surrounded by a tube of tissue under the skin that is called the hair follicle. Each hair follicle contains a certain number of pigment cells. These pigment cells continuously produce a chemical called melanin that gives the growing shaft of hair its colour of brown, blonde, red, and anything in between.

Melanin is the same stuff that makes our skin's colour fair or darker. It also helps determine whether a person will burn or tan in the sun. The dark or light colour of someone's hair depends on how much melanin each hair contains.

As we get older, the pigment cells in our hair follicles gradually die. When there are fewer pigment cells in a hair follicle, that strand of hair will no longer contain as much melanin and will become a more transparent colour - like grey, silver, or white - as it grows. As people continue to get older, fewer pigment cells will be around to produce melanin. Eventually, the hair will look completely grey.

Some people think that a big shock or trauma can turn a person's hair white or grey overnight, but scientists don't really believe that this happens. Certain drugs, herbs and supplements -- including vitamin E and Echinacea are also known to cause greying. In addition, smoking has been linked to early greying. A study published in the December 21, 1996, issue of the British Medical Journal suggested a connection between smoking and grey hair (as well as between smoking and male baldness). The researchers were not, however, able to determine a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

For more information on premature greying check out the following websites;

 

 

If however you are still concerned about your greying hair we recommend you consult your doctor.

Finally for this or any other issue concerning you, contact;

 

We hope this reply is helpful.

Best wishes q2a.


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