The One Thing Most People Don't Realize Is Giving Them Gray Hair, According to Hair Stylists

Our reflection in the mirror naturally changes as we age, and that includes noticing gray hair come in. Age and genetics play a role in when we go gray, and we can't control these factors. However, hair stylists—who say there's nothing wrong with gray hair—also reveal that it's possible to keep your mane colorful for longer. Lifestyle habits can affect hair color (or lack thereof).

"If it’s a habit that causes gray hair, we have the option to change it," explains Dawna Jarvis, a master stylist and beauty industry expert. "Changing the habit may not reverse hair that has already turned gray, but it could help prevent further graying."

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You can't stop the hands of time, but you can slow them by evaluating your current lifestyle and making some practical tweaks.

Hair stylists revealed the common yet surprising reason most people don't realize is causing premature graying. The bad news? So many of us currently deal with it. The good news? It's fixable.

Related: 6 Ways to Prevent Gray Hair

The No. 1 Subtle Thing That's Giving You Gray Hair

You know the line about how something is "so stressful, it's giving you gray hair?" Gulp. It might be true. Jarvis says chronic stress is a top contributor to gray hair.

"When you’re stressed, your body releases hormones that can damage the cells that give your hair its color," Jarvis says. "Think of these cells like tiny color factories in your hair follicles—once they’re damaged, they stop producing pigment, and the hair grows in gray or white."

The scientific community has discovered similar findings on the link between stress and hair color.

A 2020 study in Nature showed that stress can trigger premature graying because it impacts stem cells tasked with rejuvenating hair hue. In a 2021 study, Columbia University researchers found that psychological stress can trigger gray hair. However, the scientists offered some hope: Eliminating the stress can help a person restore their hair color, a reversal from previous studies suggesting it was permanent.

"I've seen how stress management through activities like yoga or meditation can make a difference—the mind-body connection is real when it comes to hair health," says Julia North, a former celebrity hairstylist and the founder of the wig brand, Wigonia.

Jarvis also finds activities of this nature help her bust stress. "Some things I do to manage my stress include meditation, deep breathing, journaling, and regular exercise," Jarvis says. "I especially love Pilates."

While neither North nor Jarvis are mental health experts, research consistently shows that exercise and mindfulness are effective ways to cope with and lower stress.

Related: 12 Best Hairstyles for Women Over 50, According to a Celebrity Stylist

3 More Habits Causing Gray Hair

1. Smoking

If you smoke, this news may be the motivation you need to kick the habit. "One of the most damaging habits I've seen in my years of working with clients is smoking," North says. "The chemicals in cigarettes create stress in the body, which can damage the innermost cells in hair follicles. This essentially speeds up the graying process."

A small, older study of 207 people from 2013 suggested a relationship between reports of gray hairs before age 30 and smoking. A larger study of more than 6,000 men published in 2015 also listed tobacco use as a risk factor for premature hair graying.

North recommends tapping resources like the American Cancer Society's cessation programs for help quitting, reminding people, "It's not just about your hair – it's about your overall health."

2. Using too many products

Your haircare regimen may be having the opposite effect.

"Using too much product or excessive heat styling can weaken your hair and damage the scalp, which can cause premature gray hair," explains Jae Manuel Cardenas, a senior stylist at Sally Hershberger NoMad. "On the other hand, if you do not use products to care for your hair and scalp, you can damage the hair follicles and become more prone to premature hair aging."

Cardenas recommends speaking with a hairstylist about the best shampoo, conditioner and stylist for your hair type. Generally, North says gentle, sulfate-free products are your best bets for preserving hair color for as long as possible.

If you're already noticing grays and want to cover them up, you'll want to be mindful of the dye you choose. "Gray hair is more brittle and coarser, so it is important to opt for ammonia-free semi-permanent or demi-permanent dyes," Cardenas says. "These dyes are gentler on hair and can help protect its health."

Since gray hair is coarse, North advises people not to skip deep conditioning treatments.

"Gray hair...needs extra moisture, as coarse hair can break easier, and look thinner once those strands have broken," North says.

3. Sun exposure

The heat from styling products isn't the only thing to watch when it comes to preventing gray hair. Excessive sun exposure is also an issue.

"The UV rays can damage the hair follicle," Cardenas says.  Limiting sun exposure, including wearing a hat and finding a shady spot, can protect your locks.

Related: Here's Exactly How To Let Your Hair Go Gray, According to Celebrity Hair Stylists

When To Embrace Gray Hair

Bluntly, you can go all-in on gray whenever you want. "Let me be clear: Embracing gray hair is absolutely beautiful, with no exception," North says. "Some of my favorite looks I've created have been enhancing natural gray transitions. There's something truly powerful about owning your natural evolution. Whether you choose to color or go natural, it's about what makes you feel confident in your own skin."

Jarvis has seen this transformation up close: Her mother-in-law and aunt recently decided to embrace gray hair.

"Not only does it look great on them, but they’re also saving time and money by not going to the salon every four weeks for root touch-ups," Jarvis says.

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Sources:

• Dawna Jarvis, a master stylist and beauty industry expert

• Hyperactivation of sympathetic nerves drives depletion of melanocyte stem cells. Nature.

• Quantitative mapping of human hair greying and reversal in relation to life stress. eLife.

• Julia North, a former celebrity hair stylist and the founder of Wigonia, a wig brand

• Investigating associations between physical activity, stress experience, and affective wellbeing during an examination period using experience sampling and accelerometry. Scientific Reports.

• The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on the Psychological Functioning of Healthcare Professionals: a Systematic Review. Mindfulness.

• Smokers’ hair: Does smoking cause premature hair graying? Indian Dermatology Online Journal.

• Association of premature hair graying with family history, smoking, and obesity: A cross-sectional study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

• Jae Manuel Cardenas, a senior stylist at Sally Hershberger NoMad