White hairs and I'm only 17

Smeggle · 01-05-2004, 05:19 AM

Yesterday, I pulled out a white hair, the second one I've found on my head in two weeks!?! Then not too long ago, I pulled a very, very long hair out of my head that was almost four feet long, I'm serious. I have long hair anyway, but this one looked like I had cut and trimmed everything else except this one. I also noticed my hair is thinner than it used to be. I'm 17, isn't this a little young for this to be happening?

Sari · 01-05-2004, 08:46 AM

I'm 22 and I just posted that I have about 10 gray hairs on my head! I wouldn't worry about that long hair, it probably just grew a little faster than the others, or maybe it was partially ingrown at one time. As far as your hair being thin, my hair's been getting thinner too. I started Met in November, hoping that it will help. I THINK I read about Saw Palmetto helping thinning hair, but be sure to really research it and ask about drug interactions before you take it.

KlassicalKat · 01-05-2004, 11:35 AM

Hi, Smeggle,

Hope you don't mind a response to your post from an old lady of 47!

I know what a shock this can be...I got my first white hair at age 18, plus it was found by a creepy boyfriend that I had at the time. We were just sitting there and he reached over and PLUCKED THAT WHITE HAIR RIGHT OUT OF MY HEAD and laughed and said, "Look! A grey hair! You're turning into an old lady!"

Needless to say, we didn't stay together very long after that.

This could very well be a genetic factor. I am certain that mine was hereditary. There is nothing that can be done about that, but it is somewhat comforting to know. I found out from my dad that his mom (my grandmother) went white very early and I look very much like her. She was a really neat lady, so that's good! Do you know if anyone went white early in your family history?

I got a few more white hairs during college and by the time I met my DH, I had a bit of white on the sides, but he didn't care...he liked it, actually. It really accelerated in my 30's until I was totally white by the time I was in my mid 30's. I dyed it during my thirties, but in the past 5 years have left it white. It is a pretty pure white and I get more compliments on it than ever before.

I am actually proud of my white hair, but I realize that I am a lot older than you and it is such a shock to experience that at your age. But, I want to you to know that the greying hair never held me back from enjoying life, achieving my goals or having boyfriends (good ones, not the creepy hair pulling kind!)

I want to encourage you that a lot of folks don't even notice and that I don't think you are alone. I have seen other young folks with grey.

Unfortuneately I am losing my hair, too, so I am going to enjoy it while it lasts!

Kathryn

nms · 01-05-2004, 10:25 PM

I've found a couple white hairs on and off since I was your age, and I don't have any more now that I'm 31 than I did at 17. I wouldn't worry unless you start getting patches of white.

Eponine · 01-06-2004, 04:18 AM

I have two gray hairs and I'm 21! I think they're way cool!

I even think a stripe would be cool... I wouldn't mind a full head of gray hair, but not til I'm older.

I know a lot of people who've found gray/silver hairs in their teens. Don't let it bug you til it's really noticable... which it may not be for quite a few years yet.

Sammie · 01-06-2004, 07:21 AM

I am going pretty gray now at the "ripe old age" of 23.

For years I dyed my hair blond, and now I want to have my hair "natural" it is streaked with gray! I am pretty dark hair to start with - so they stand out!

I have, probably, maybe 5% gray at this stage, and I just tell people (mainly my darling mother) that it is the stress of being the daughter of\ friends with\ living with \raising you! (what ever applies) LMAO

But I kinda like my gray - it's part of who I am - and I like who I am, gray hair and all.

Smeggle · 01-07-2004, 12:37 AM

Actually KlassicalKat, what is wrong with white/grey hairs? Storm on ex-men had beautiful white hair. I actually think it might be genetic, my Aunts on my dad's side have greying, white thin hair. My hair is a little thin, but I think I might try that Saw Palmetto like Sarabelle suggested. Or not, I'm going to see how Yasmin does. Reflecting now, I think it's stupid to worry about this considering all the other problems I deal with. Thanks a bunch ladies for your enthusiasm Eponine and thanks NMS (strange name) for your cool attitude about it, I tend to take these things to heart. Hey Sammie, I wonder if stress is a factor. My mom said she gets grey hairs when she's stressed, and I RUN ON NERVES!! So maybe if I take it down a notch...

Sammie · 01-07-2004, 01:01 AM

I just use stress as an excuse - I am pretty easy going, with no real stress in my life. I personally think it is genetic. My grandmother was white gray by the time she was 28. I think I am going the same way. LOL

Eponine · 01-07-2004, 03:44 AM

Hey, I didn't get any gray hairs til after college.... Not saying there's a connection, not saying there isn't one...

researcher · 01-07-2004, 08:10 PM

If you're young and you're finding gray hairs, consider having your thyroid hormone levels tested. Graying hair is a symptom of hypothyroidism. I am 25 and I've had gray hairs for @ least six years. I was also diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I used to pull them out...now, there are way too many!

I like my natural auburn color, so I simply temporarily dye it when I see too much gray. The dye lasts a month, and usually it's just a tint of my natural color...and the gray's gone!

KlassicalKat · 01-07-2004, 08:35 PM

LOL! Yep, Smeggle, STORM and I have sexy white hair! Mine does look a LOT like hers...pure white, now. I like that...really!

I really am proud of my white hair. My best pal calls me the "Snow Queen" because of my hair. I love that nickname and it is catching on with other friends and family. I do get a lot of compliments on my hair. It is pretty unique. My main concern is just keeping it on my head...I am far more worried about losing it than the color!

Perhaps it will be a comfort to you to know that I didn't really start losing it a lot until my late 30's.

I was just concerned for you because I know what a shock it was when it started coming in white at 18 for me, but it sounds like you have a very good positive attitude. I think you will be just fine, white hairs or no! I like your spirit!

Kathryn

shorty1kanobi · 01-07-2004, 08:46 PM

I read somewhere (why oh WHY didn't I keep the article) that gray hairs at a very young age can be a sign of problems with your thryoid, but also a sign of hormonal imbalance......which, correct me if I'm wrong, but that's a huge part of PCOS and makes a ton of sense.

I used to notice several a month, and since my hormones have started (not fully there yet) to come back in line, I haven't had any new ones.