Discovering that first grey hair can come as quite a shock.
But it’s likely to happen earlier than you’d expect, according to a new study.
A poll of 1,000 women has revealed half notice their first silver strand by their early 30s, most commonly between the ages of 31 to 35.
The research, carried out by hair care brand Schwarzkopf, even found that 17 per cent of women discover their first grey hair before their 25th birthday.
And while many blame stress – whether it be caused by work or children – experts say it’s simply part of growing up.
Discovering that first grey hair can come as quite a shock. But it’s likely to happen earlier than you’d expect, according to a new study (stock image)
Responses also revealed that hair plays a crucial role in defining our identities.
Upon finding grey hairs, over half of women said they worried about ageing, two in five said they were self-conscious at what others would think about their grey hair, 36 per cent said they felt less confident in themselves and their appearance, and a third said they felt less attractive.
One in five women still believe the myth that plucking one grey hair will result in seven more growing back, and nearly one in 10 believe the more you colour your hair, the quicker it turns grey, the survey showed.
Some 80 per cent of women said they believe stress accelerates the greying process, and 71 per cent believe it is determined by genes.
Some 80 per cent of women said they believe stress accelerates the greying process, and 71 per cent believe it is determined by genes (stock image)
Hair and scalp health expert Eva Proudman said: ‘The failing of melanocytes – the cells that produce the colour in our hair – is the main factor that causes hair to appear grey.
‘Prolonged emotional stress can exacerbate the greying process but generally isn’t the main cause. The ageing processes is by far the major factor in grey hair.
‘As we age and hair changes with greys, we can feel that we lose our identity.’
The findings coincide with the release of a new Schwarzkopf Oleo Intense hair dye to help cover greys.
Ms Proudman recommends trying a lighter shade than your usual colour to blend more with the grey roots rather than exaggerating them.
