Health experts sound the alarm as teenagers show off silver hair on social media

There is no silver lining to this.

Many members of Gen Z are already going gray, with some Zoomers as young as 19 showing off their silver linings on TikTok.

According to a 2021 study, hair graying typically begins in the mid-30s for Caucasians, late 30s for Asians, and mid-40s for Africans, meaning some members of Gen Z are experience the phenomenon almost two decades earlier.

But what may be a novelty for young people is alarming to experts, who say premature graying can indicate a host of health problems.

Catarina Orr-Lee, an Ohio-based integrative health coach, said this is a sure sign of mineral imbalance.

In a recent social media clip that scored more than 7 million views, she claimed that it was high levels of zinc and calcium and low levels of iron and manganese that could contribute to gray scalps.

She added that copper could also be to blame.

“It’s no surprise—copper, zinc, and iron all play a role in tyrosinase activity,” NYC board-certified dermatologist Dr. Viktoriya Kazlosukaya. “This is an essential enzyme for pigment synthesis.”

She told the media that premature graying is usually seen in people with iron deficiency anemia. Iron supplementation, the treatment for iron deficiency, “can return hair color to normal,” she added.

“Oxidative stress is another important factor in premature graying, but the extent to which it contributes relative to other factors remains unclear,” she continued.

“Copper helps our bodies fight oxidative stress, and chronic stress can reduce copper levels, potentially leading to premature graying of hair.”

According to Healthline, genetics, health conditions, thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases, smoking and vitamin B-12 deficiency can also be to blame.

To determine if minerals are the main cause of hair color changes, Orr-Evans recommends getting a special type of test called a hair mineral analysis, which can determine the levels of minerals in the hair strands.

She also warned against a supplement shopping spree.

“Most people hear ‘focus on mineral replenishment’ and think they have to buy supplements off the shelf, which is not the best source of minerals,” she said, claiming that food is “the best source of minerals.”

“Plus, taking the occasional supplement you might think you need can offset other minerals.”