Why Millennials and Gen Z are going gray earlier: the science explained

Gray hair or ‘white hair’ is hair that loses its color due to a loss of pigmentation with graying a common trait in older people, although younger people can also ‘go gray’ early.

Years ago, a study conducted by scientists at University College London, whose results were published in the scientific journal Nature Communications, identified the gene IRF4, which is key to the production and storage of melanin, and is associated with the hair graying process. In order to conduct the study, scientists analyzed DNA samples from more than 6,000 people from different countries.

Pittsburgh based dermatologist Viktoryia Kazlouskaya also spoke about the premature appearance of gray hair. According to her Newsweek interview, this pattern is acutely observed in patients with iron deficiency. “We often see that iron supplementation can restore hair colour.” She also referred to another factor, chronic stress, which, in her opinion, can promote “the appearance of gray hair.”

Another study published in the National Library of Medicine of the United States, collects the relationship between the concentrations of iron, copper and zinc with premature greying.

The authors of the study focused their research on people under 20 years of age who suffered from premature graying. Among the findings, low iron levels were found in young patients with gray hair, suggesting that there may be an association between copper deficiency and the early appearance of gray hair on the scalp.

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