Many women (and some men) dread the sight of their first gray hairs, despite fleeting trends like silver manes. Even trendy shades like Ash Brown can't ease the anxiety. As a leading trichologist—specializing in hair and scalp health—Madeleine Preston shares expert insights with Cosmo UK. She reveals when grays typically appear and why they happen sooner than expected.
"Most women notice a few grays in their thirties, and by age 50, about 50% of hair is usually gray," Preston explains. Grays result from a mix of normally pigmented strands and unpigmented white ones. Hair turns fully white when melanin-producing cells stop functioning—it's biology at work.
Genetics drive graying most, so if your parents went gray early, you might too. Caucasians often see it sooner, and conditions like diabetes, pernicious anemia (from B12 deficiency), or thyroid issues can accelerate it. While you can't stop it entirely, Preston recommends nutrient-rich diets to modestly delay onset.
Prioritize protein-packed foods like fish and eggs. Load up on iron, calcium, zinc, vitamins D, B12, and B6. Regular scalp massages also help: "Just like the body, your scalp benefits from movement. Massages deliver vital nutrients via blood flow, nourishing hair follicles," she notes. Simple, science-backed steps from a true hair expert.
