Stress has been shown in some studies to turn hair gray. Data is mixed on whether stress-induced graying is permanent. However, there are some steps you can take that may help reduce gray hair.

If you’re noticing gray hairs years before you expect to, stress may be to blame. Stress hormones, signals from your sympathetic nervous system, and other factors can all cause hair to turn gray prematurely.

However, it’s possible that premature graying in some people may be reversible.

Read on for more information about how stress can cause gray hair in younger people and solutions for handling those earlier-than-expected grays.

Stress might cause hair to go gray prematurely in several ways. Each way affects the hair follicles, not the hairs themselves. Hair follicles are tube-shaped structures under the skin that surround each hair root and strand. Hair follicles can sometimes reactivate, even after they stop functioning.

A small study, led by researchers at Columbia University, suggests that psychological stress and the secretion of stress hormones can alter the mitochondria in hair follicle cells. This can cause some individual hairs to turn white or gray.

Signals from the sympathetic nervous system may also affect hair follicles. The sympathetic nervous system is part of the autonomic nervous system. It’s known for generating the “fight or flight” response in stressful situations.

A study in mice found that acute stress activates nerves within the sympathetic nervous system. This causes a chemical messenger and hormone, called norepinephrine, to be released. Norepinephrine is also called noradrenaline. This hormone can suppress the production of melanin in follicle cells. Melanin is the substance that gives hair its natural color. Without melanin, hair can turn white or gray. This study found that corticosterone, a stress hormone, did not cause premature graying of hair.

A large Turkish study of young adults found that oxidative stress can cause premature hair graying in individuals who are genetically predisposed. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body. It can result from a number of factors, including excessive alcohol consumption, emotional stress, and chronic disease.

Certain illnesses or health conditions can also cause hair to turn prematurely gray. These include:

Most people go gray with age. This can begin as early as your thirties, forties, or later. The age you start to go gray is largely determined by genetics and family history. Your genes program and control melanin production and storage within hair follicles. Having close family relatives who had premature graying may indicate that you will go gray early as well. Stress may exacerbate or worsen this tendency.

No matter what your age or stress level, every hair on your head and body grows in stages. These stages are:

  • anagen (growing)
  • catagen (transitioning)
  • telegen (resting)
  • exogen (shedding)

The hairs on your head cycle through each stage individually. At any time, you might have hair in all four stages of growth.

Each time the hair growth cycle starts, melanin is produced within the hair follicle. After 7 to 15 cycles, melanin production stops, and the hair turns gray.

Since each cycle lasts for several years, you may have some gray hairs, plus hairs that are your natural color, at the same time. In darker-haired people, this is sometimes referred to as having “salt and pepper” hair. Over time, all of the hairs on your head will turn gray and eventually, white.

Study results vary on the permanence of stress-induced gray hair.

One small study found that hair strands may repigment and return to their original color when periods of stress end. This is caused by the resumption of melanin production within the hair follicle.

Other studies, including an animal study, found that the opposite was true. In this study, mice that went gray did not return to their original color when stress was no longer a factor.

There’s no known treatment for reversing gray hair. But having a healthy lifestyle may help. If your hair is turning gray, try to reduce your stress level.

You may want to try the following:

  • yoga
  • meditation
  • deep breathing

Chronic stress may be reduced with therapy or medication.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can also be beneficial. Make sure to eat a balanced diet that includes foods high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Avoid drinking too much alcohol, and consider stopping smoking if you smoke.

You may want to talk with your healthcare professional about your lifestyle and diet, and ask for a blood test to see if you have any nutritional deficiencies that could be contributing to your gray hair.

Many people find that they like the look of their gray hair. If you’ve gone gray earlier than expected, and it’s not due to any underlying health condition, consider experimenting with a new style that enhances your look. Letting your hair remain gray can feel empowering and freeing.

Top tip: Gray hair tends to be dry, so you might want to try moisturizing shampoos and hair care products that hydrate hair. A purple toning shampoo can also keep your hair from looking dull or yellow.

Alternatively, you might prefer to dye your hair. This may be a great time to experiment with techniques like highlights or lowlights. Since gray hair can easily be dyed any color, you can also play around with a new shade or go back to your original hue.

No. Despite what you may see in movies, hair cannot turn completely gray overnight. Sudden changes in hair color are more likely to be caused by the rapid hair loss of dark hair during the hair growth cycle.

Premature graying usually refers to hair that goes gray prior to age 30. The average age for graying varies somewhat by ethnicity. Many factors play a role, including genetics, lifestyle, and family history.

With considerable variation, the average age for graying hair in white people is in the mid-thirties. Asian people tend to develop gray in their late thirties. Black people tend to experience gray hair a bit later, during their mid-forties.

It might. Some studies indicate that premature graying may reverse itself when stress is no longer a factor. This isn’t guaranteed, however. Hair that goes gray due to aging or genetics won’t reverse itself, even if you lower your stress levels.

Not really. Regardless of the cause, stress can trigger changes in your hormones or sympathetic nervous system that may affect melanin production within hair follicles.

If gray hair is caused by stress, it may return to its natural color over time if you use stress-reducing techniques. However, if your hair is going gray for other reasons, such as aging, these techniques won’t have an effect.

Takeaway

Stress has been shown in multiple studies to cause premature hair graying. Some studies show that hair may return to its natural color if stress is no longer a factor. Other studies refute this finding.

If you experience premature gray hair, you have options. These include embracing your new look or dyeing your hair a different color. Either way, maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes a nutritious diet will help keep your hair looking its best.