Going grey is a natural part of the aging process for most people. As we get older, the pigment cells in our hair follicles gradually die off and stop producing melanin, the pigment that gives hair its color. This causes the hair to turn grey or white. But when does this process typically start? The average age when people begin to go grey varies quite a bit between individuals. However, there are some general trends that emerge when looking at large populations.
In this article, we will explore the factors that influence when someone starts to go grey. We will look at the average ages reported in scientific studies for the onset of greying. We will also discuss how genetics, gender, ethnicity, stress levels, and other factors can impact the timing of those first grey hairs appearing. Gaining a better understanding of the wide range of normal variation seen in when greying begins can help you know what to expect and feel less concerned if you start spotting some silvery strands a bit earlier or later than your peers.
Average Age Ranges Reported in Studies
Scientific studies investigating the epidemiology of graying hair have reported a wide range of average ages when people first begin to turn grey. Some key findings include:
– A large European study published in 2021 examined hair color data from more than 6,000 participants ages 4 to 75. They reported an average age of 34 years old for the onset of graying in their mixed-ethnicity population sample. However, 5% had begun greying by age 20 already.
– A study of over 600 healthy Indian participants found an average age of onset for graying of 34.74 years old.
– A Turkish study of over 800 people found the average age of onset of graying was 38.4 years old in their sample population.
– A study using a large medical records database in the UK reported an average age of 43 for diagnosis of premature greying in a subset of the population. However, this was just looking at diagnoses coded in the medical record, not natural greying in the general population.
– Several studies of people of European descent have reported an average age of onset between mid-30s and 40 for visible graying to begin.
– Research studies recruitment criteria looking specifically at premature greying often define it starting before age 30 or 35. This suggests greying before these thresholds is considered early compared to the general population.
So while reported averages vary across studies, most research indicates greying commonly starts in the late 30s and early 40s on average. However, there are always outliers on both ends, with some experiencing premature greying much earlier and others not starting to go grey until their 50s or later. The large variation seen shows why looking at group averages only gives part of the picture.
Factors That Influence When Greying Starts
What causes such wide variation between individuals in when greying first begins? There are a number of factors that influence the timing of those first grey hairs.
Genetics and Biological Sex
Genetics play a major role in determining when someone will go grey. People tend to begin greying around the same age their parents or grandparents did. Exactly which genes control greying is still being investigated, but multiple genetic loci are likely involved.
Biological sex also impacts the greying process. On average, caucasian males tend to start going grey closer to age 40, while females of European ancestry tend to begin greying in their mid-30s. However, in other ethnicities the difference between sexes is less pronounced or reversed. The mechanisms behind these gender differences are not fully understood but may relate to hormonal factors.
Ethnicity
Ethnicity is another factor that influences when greying starts. Those of European and North American descent tend to begin greying in their mid-30s to early 40s on average. However, greying appears to start much later in those of Asian or African descent.
For example, a study of over 500 healthy Indians only found 2% with grey hair before age 30. In contrast, research shows 5-10% of Caucasians already have some grey hair by age 30. Similarly, a study of people of African origin living in Tanzania found less than 3% exhibited greying before age 40.
These population level differences suggest biological factors related to ethnicity, such as genetics, play a role in greying onset. However, lifestyle and hair care practices may also impact when greying becomes visible in some ethnic groups.
Stress
Could emotional stress accelerate greying? Some scientific theories suggest stress could influence greying by increasing oxidative damage or impacting the neural crest stem cells that generate pigment.
A few small studies have found associations between psychological stress and premature greying in young adults. However, larger controlled studies are still needed to confirm stress as a contributing factor. While it remains controversial, stress is often cited anecdotally as a potential influence on the greying process.
Smoking and Other Lifestyle Factors
Smoking cigarettes is linked to earlier onset of grey hair. This is believed to be due to the toxic chemicals in smoke causing oxidative damage of the hair follicles. Poor nutrition and deficiencies in certain vitamins have also been theorized to potentially impact greying, but more research is needed.
Disease States
Rare autoimmune disorders or other medical conditions involving inflammation or melanocyte dysfunction can sometimes accelerate loss of pigment in hair. But for most people greying results from natural aging processes, not underlying disease.
Premature Greying Diagnosis Trends
While greying in the 30s and 40s is very common, what if someone starts going noticeably grey significantly earlier than their peers? “Premature greying” is usually defined as onset before age 20 in caucasians and before age 25 in Asians.
Diagnosis data shows rates of premature greying are low but not exceptional. An analysis of a large primary care database in the UK found the following:
– Overall prevalence of diagnosed premature greying was 0.44%
– Mean age at diagnosis was 43 years old
– 1 in 4 cases were diagnosed before age 30
– It was more frequently diagnosed in women and those of European ethnicity
So while developing grey hair in your late teens or 20s is considered premature compared to the average, it is not extremely rare. Getting an occasional diagnosis of premature greying is unlikely to indicate any underlying pathology. However, if accompanied by other symptoms, checking for conditions like vitiligo, anemia, or thyroid disorders can be reasonable.
Coping With Early Greying
Going grey at a younger than expected age can sometimes be stressful or negatively impact self-esteem. Here are some coping tips for dealing with premature greying:
– Remember that greying early is normal for a minority of people and does not mean anything is wrong with your health.
– Talk to older family members to see if they also went grey at a young age, suggesting it runs in your genetics.
– If you feel very self-conscious, try subtly coloring just the grey hairs with special marker touch-up pens or similar products. This blends away the grey without an overall dye job.
– Consider fully embracing the grey with confidence! Many people find premature greying makes them look mature, sophisticated, or distinctive.
– Focus conversations on your personality and accomplishments, not your hair color.
– Avoid using hair color as a sign of internal qualities. You can be young at heart and high achieving regardless of your hair tone.
With some adaptive coping methods and self-care, developing grey hair earlier than your peers does not have to inhibit your confidence or potential.
When to Seek Medical Evaluation
Most of the time, premature greying is a normal variation that requires no intervention. However, in some circumstances discussing onset of grey hair with your doctor can be important:
– If greying started extremely early, like before age 12, bring it up to look for rare causes like vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune disorders, or hereditary conditions.
– If you have additional symptoms like fatigue, weakness, abnormal thirst or urination, weight changes, talk to your doctor to check for conditions like thyroid disorders, vitiligo, or anemia.
– Let your doctor know if you have a family history of conditions like vitiligo, pernicious anemia, or autoimmune disorders, which can sometimes be associated with early greying.
– Consider medical evaluation if your hair is rapidly turning completely grey or white over a short period of time, rather than the more gradual appearance of grey hairs.
– Bring it up if you have any other concerns about your health or if the grey hairs are causing you significant distress emotionally.
While unlikely, checking for underlying causes can provide reassurance and is reasonable in severe or unusual cases. But for most, normal age-related greying just comes down to genetics and luck.
Conclusion
While the average age varies slightly between ethnicities and sexes, most studies show greying tends to begin sometime in the late 30s to early 40s on average. However, onset can range dramatically between different individuals based on a mix of genetic, biological, and environmental factors. Developing grey hair before age 30 is considered premature greying, but this is not extremely rare and usually represents natural variation rather than any medical condition.
Knowing if your parents or grandparents also went grey early can help predict your own trajectory. If you start greying much sooner than anticipated, self-care strategies like subtly coloring only the grey hairs or embracing a more distinguished look can help cope with the change. In most cases, going grey is simply a natural consequence of aging and nothing to be concerned about. But discussing onset that is extremely early, rapid, or accompanied by other symptoms with your doctor is reasonable to evaluate for underlying causes.