Gray hair appears and makes you look older for this reason, according to UNAM

There are natural life processes that can be frightening, one of them being aging. But what if one of the main characteristics of this stage of life comes earlier? That's right, we're talking about the early appearance of gray hair, colloquially known as "gray hair."

If you find yourself going through this process, below we provide details on the possible causes of this event occurring early in your life.

Research from the National Autonomous University of Mexico ( UNAM ) has revealed that natural hair color is determined by melanocytes, which are the cells in hair follicles that produce melanin , commonly known as the pigment. However, over time, melanocytes become depleted, resulting in the appearance of gray hair.

We must inform you that the main cause of this is genetic ; early graying can occur from childhood to the age of 30 in some people. However, this is not the only factor that can lead to the appearance of hair loss. Therefore, we have prepared a list of possible causes that should get your attention , especially those that require a more in-depth health evaluation.

• Nutritional deficiencies: Lack of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B12, iron, copper, zinc, and vitamin D can affect the production of melanin, the pigment that gives hair its color.
• Stress: This chronic condition can trigger hormonal changes and affect melanin production, accelerating the graying process.
• Smoking: Smoking damages hair follicles and accelerates the aging process, including premature graying.
• Lifestyle: Poor diet, lack of exercise, and lack of sleep also contribute to melanocytes stopping the production of pigment.
• Medical conditions: Some autoimmune diseases such as vitiligo, thyroid disorders, intestinal absorption problems, and conditions such as segmental progeria can cause or accelerate premature graying.
• Malnutrition: Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.

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