Expert opinion Gray hair is nothing to worry about.

My hair is almost completely black, so when I encounter gray hair, it stands out. To be clear, gray hair is not a problem at all. In fact, gray hair is so prevalent that women are going to salons to achieve the look with expertly dyed gray hair (opens in new tab). Personally, I am looking forward to having silver hair. I don't have the courage to go blonde, so (opens in new tab) going naturally gray is probably the closest I'll ever get. (Opens in new tab) Honestly, there is still a lot of stigma around women aging that can be really off-putting.

But I must confess that when I spot the odd gray hair straggler, it bothers me. Am I starting to go "gray" at the young age of 22? Or is this just a silvery anomaly to be lovingly plucked and forgotten?"

I didn't have the answer myself, so I turned to Gretchen Fries, a certified trichologist at BosleyMD (opens in new tab). As a hair doctor, she told me the myths and legends about going gray, why some people go gray earlier than others, and most importantly, how to embrace gray hair and not panic.

If you see gray hair and are panicking, "But I'm still young," let me tell you who to point your finger at. Heredity plays a big part in when and how you go gray. Usually, if one of your parents goes gray earlier, you're more likely to go gray yourself. It's just one more thing I need to talk to my therapist about. 'In the hair follicles are pigment cells that produce melanin. Melanin is the chemical that gives hair its color. As we age, these cells begin to die. When pigment is scarce, new strands of hair grow lighter, eventually turning gray, then silver, and finally white," Fries explains.

That said: you may not actually be turning gray. When people "go gray," it usually happens in a concentrated way. This is in contrast to the occasional gray hair found at any age, which can occur at any age". So, if you begin to see gray hairs in one area of your scalp, feel free to call your parents and yell at them. Or hug your parents and thank them for saving you money on your next bleaching bill. If it's free, you won't have to do it twice.

If your first reaction when you spot a gray hair is full-blown panic, you may want to rethink your approach. 'Manage the stress,' Fries demands. 'While it's not 100% proven that stress causes gray hair, we do know that stress damages vital cells throughout the body. Those cells may also contain melanin, which gives hair its color."

In addition to controlling anxious thoughts, she also recommends taking a holistic approach to health to delay graying. Says Fries, "By taking the right nutrients and other preventative measures, you may be able to maintain existing pigmentation and delay overall graying." Getting enough B vitamins, calcium, copper, iron, protein, vitamin D, and zinc is critical." And finally, "stop smoking. It is no secret that smoking is bad for your health. It can even contribute to premature graying, especially before the age of 30."

Perhaps the healthiest thing you can do regarding going gray is to control your emotional reaction to it. Says Fries, "There's nothing to worry about except the psychological impact of premature graying and feeling like you're getting older faster." "If you can mentally accept your gray hairs and appreciate the fact that you have a head of hair, it's a healthy mindset. Gray hair does not mean that you are 'old.'"

If you've gone gray and aren't emotionally ready for your next adventure, that's fine. There are plenty of options to make gray hair less noticeable, and if you don't want to go silver just yet, don't feel pressured to do so. Fries tells us, "Hair color is the only way to make gray hair less noticeable and cover it up."

There are many options among them. You can opt for an all-over color, but note that "this method creates a strong border and requires maintenance," depending on the percentage of gray hair. Another option is to highlight the hair. Fries advises, "Going lighter or blonde can make gray hair less noticeable and softer." If a trip to the salon is too much of a hassle, there are spray-on temporary dyes and powders available.

In short, whether you choose to hide or embrace your gray hairs, the bottom line is this: It is perfectly natural to go gray and there is no need to panic; whether you find gray hairs at age 20 or 80, don't let anyone tell you that you are not cute, stylish, or youthful. Live your best silver life.

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