beauty

'I'm 24 and just found a single grey hair. I asked an expert what to do next.'

A few months ago, a friend called me after she found a single grey hair.

"What do I do?" she frantically asked me. 

I had no idea how to respond. 

We're both in our early to-mid-20s and haven't had to think about greys just yet. I wouldn't have a clue what to do with one.

A few weeks later, I encountered the exact same issue. 

There she was - a small grey strand, sticking out like a sore thumb in amongst my brown hair. I was in shock.

IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN YET.

The following 20 minutes were spent contemplating whether to cut it out or pluck it (because at this point in my life she was not staying on my head). I went with the tweezers.

Ever since, I've questioned whether that was the right move - will it grow back? Will more follow?

In an attempt to get some answers, I spoke to trichologist Carolyn Evans-Frost from Absolique Hair Health Clinic all about your first greys and what to do with them. 

But first, here are five ways to lift your hair game. Post continues after video.


Video via Mamamia.
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How to deal with grey hair.

Let's start with the basics: should I cut, tweeze or leave the grey hair?

"Cutting it will provide a short-term solution, but it will grow back," Carolyn told Mamamia.

"Plucking it is also short term - it will also grow back but will take longer. If continually plucked, you can damage the hair follicle, then the hair may never grow back." 

The best move is to leave it and consider colouring options, Caroline says.

"You can’t really hurt the grey hairs, but as mentioned, plucking could damage the hair over time, so [it's] not the best idea," she added.

There go my two options.

What causes grey hair in your 20s?

WHY TF AM I FINDING A GREY AT 24?

"It does vary from person to person but it's mostly genetic patterns or health concerns," Carolyn told me.

"If a parent or parents went grey early, then it could just be genetics, [and] the health concerns are normally obvious and [associated] with a history of illness."

For women, low iron and or ferritin can also play a part as they are needed in the right amount for normal hair growth. And when hair cannot grow normally because of low levels or deficiency, the hair can lose pigment, Carolyn explained.

"But, it can also happen in an otherwise healthy person too," she added.

Listen to You Beauty, Mamamia's daily beauty podcast. Post continues after audio.

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How to prevent grey hair.

If you're in your early to mid-20s or even 30s, and worrying about the eventual day you spot your first grey, Carolyn says there are ways to help prevent them.

"If it is a concern, then good health is your best battle ground," she said.

"Make sure your diet is rich in minerals, iron levels are sufficient, [and] also watch B12 levels and stress."

How to reverse grey hair.

And is there anything you can do once they pop up to make them stop? According to Carolyn, not exactly.

"There are a lot of supplements out there promoting reversal of grey hair, [but] I have not seen this [work] consistently yet," she said, before adding: "Something like amaranth oil, orally or topically [might work], but it's not guaranteed."

There are some stronger measures you can try too.

"In my clinic we use a lot of topical antioxidants and have seen some reversal of grey hair when used for hair regrowth, or a slowed progression of the grey hairs, but again, it is very individual and I would not offer any guarantees," Carolyn said.

So there you have it.

Keep those scissors and tweezers well away from me.

Charlie Begg is Mamamia's lifestyle writer. For more beauty, fashion and homewares recommendations, read her articles here and follow her on Instagram.

Feature image: Supplied.