Do not panic! Smoking Not Only Causes Cancer, But It Also Causes Gray Hair!

A number of studies have found that smoking is closely related to the appearance of gray hair at a young age. Now, try looking in the mirror and pay attention to your hair. Are there any signs of gray hair appearing even though you are only two or three years old? It could be that one of the causes comes from smoking habits.  

 

Why is that?  

 

Initially, the follicles where hair grows have a collection of cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes function to produce melanin, the pigment that gives hair its dark color. As we age, melanocytes begin to die so that melanin production decreases. Hair color will gradually become gray, silvery, until finally white when melanin completely stops being produced.  

 

This is the reason why elderly people generally have gray hair. What can cause gray hair to appear at a young age? On average, new gray hair will appear when someone is in their late 30s or just entering their 40s. However, you can be said to have gray hair at a young age if gray hair appears at the age of 25 years or less.  

 

The following are a number of factors that can trigger the appearance of gray hair early: 

 

1. Genetic factors Genetic factors play a big role in causing gray hair at a young age.  

 

If your parents or grandparents have had gray hair since they were young, then you are likely to experience the same thing. Genetic factors cannot be changed, but you can get around gray hair by coloring it with hair dye.  

 

2. Vitamin B-12 deficiency Vitamin B-12 plays an important role in maintaining healthy red blood cells.  

 

These blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body, including melanocytes in hair follicles. Vitamin B-12 deficiency can affect the oxygen supply to these cells. As a result, melanin production is reduced and gray hair forms at an early age. 

 

3. Certain diseases. 

 

The formation of gray hair at a young age can be caused by autoimmune diseases and thyroid gland disorders. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system mistakenly attacks melanocytes, thereby inhibiting melanin production.  

 

Meanwhile, in thyroid gland disorders, melanin production is disrupted by insufficient or excessive hormonal activity. What is the relationship between smoking and gray hair at a young age? Apart from the three causes above, gray hair can also appear early due to smoking habits.  

 

In a study conducted in 2010, it was found that smokers were 2.5 times more likely to have gray hair at a young age than people who did not smoke. On average, gray hair appears when smokers are 30 years old. This is allegedly closely related to various ingredients in cigarettes which are like free radicals.  

 

This content causes oxidative stress in melanocytes, then results in damage to these cells. Eventually, melanocytes stop producing melanin and cause gray hair to appear at a young age. Apart from that, smoking will also cause narrowing of the blood vessels. Blood flow to hair follicles is reduced, making hair more susceptible to hair loss.  

 

Not only does it cause gray hair at a young age, smoking also has the potential to cause other damage to hair. Smoking will affect the whole body, including the hair.  

 

However, it is not too late to stop this habit. Before your hair color fades, reduce your smoking habit and replace it with something healthier.

 

How smoking quit