When is it expected to go gray, and when can it be a sign of illness

There is no universal rule that reveals in what year of life you will see the first gray hairs in your hair. Moreover, they often have nothing to do with how old you are. In some people, they can appear as early as high school age, and maybe even earlier.

However, they have to do with aging, but as dermatologist Melissa Piliang explains, with the aging of the melanocytes in your hair follicles. That is, with the aging of the cells responsible for pigment production. "They stop producing melanin, and the result is gray hair, which turns white over time," Dr. Piljang explained and pointed out that most people are already half gray by the age of 50.

But did you know that the (premature) appearance of gray hairs can indicate serious health problems?

Namely, a study published at the Conference of the Society of Cardiology in India showed that men younger than 40 who have premature gray hair have a five times greater chance of developing coronary disease. That is, the premature appearance of gray hair can be related to heart problems, reports Večernji list. In addition, research shows that melanocyte aging may be the result of a biological process that can damage healthy cells and tissue. This is exactly why doctors advise you to seek a doctor's opinion if you go gray before the age of 35