New Saudi studies published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology say that stress can double the chances of gray hair appearing before the age of thirty.
Anxiety and depression appear to interfere with hair follicles more than other factors, including smoking, diet and exercise.
Figures indicate that many people’s hair turns gray by the age of fifty, but millions begin to turn gray years or even decades before that age.
The study says that the reasons are not clear, but the stress hormone cortisol or mental health medications can cause harmful inflammation in the scalp.
A team from King Saud University compared gray hair rates among 1,193 people between the ages of 18 and 29, through an online survey conducted between July 2023 and February 2024 in Saudi Arabia.
The researchers found that half of the participants gained at least one gray hair in their 20s.
One in eight indicated that they had more than 100 gray hairs.
The team found that anxiety increased the likelihood of gray hair by 2.24 times, while depression increased it by 2.56 times.
Family history was the biggest factor behind the early appearance of gray hair.
According to the study, smoking leads to an almost double risk, but a good diet can reduce this risk by 32%.
“Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, eating a balanced diet, and managing stress can help mitigate risks,” said study author Turki Al-Banhar.
Source: The Sun
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