Why Does Our Hair Turn Gray

Why is my hair turning grey?

A change that is very unpleasant for men and women is almost always the change of their hair to grey and gradually to white. The appearance of the first white hair is terrifying, because it is a sign that more will follow. But it is inevitable!

The appearance of white hair with old age is reasonable. But nowadays it is seen to happen at younger ages as well. When there is a significant reduction in pigment, the hair turns grey. When there is absolutely no pigment, they become white. 

What causes white hair?

Hair growth occurs when old cells are pushed out of the hair follicles due to the production of new cells. It occurs in three stages: growth (anagen), cessation (catagen) and rest (telogen). During the rest period, your hair completes its lifespan and falls out, and other hair grows in its place. Hair color is produced by melanin, which is formed by melanocytes. Pigmentation in hair, unlike skin, is not continuous. Hair is actively pigmented in the anagen phase. The pigmentation decreases in the catagen phase and is absent in the telogen phase. With age, the amount of pigment injected into each hair decreases, so they become gray and eventually white. 

Other key factors:

• Genes

Genes are the dominant factor in determining the age at which hair loses pigment. For some people, it can happen even before they turn 20. But for most people , the first whites appear much later. 

• Melanin deficiency

In most cases, melanin deficiency is the main cause of hair bleaching. Melanin production depends on proper diet and protein supplements. Lack of these nutrients causes melanin to fall below acceptable levels.

• Hormones

Research shows that an imbalance in hormones can cause or increase premature hair aging. If you have excessive graying of the hair and are not sure if you have a hormone imbalance, consult a doctor.

• Medical conditions

Certain underlying medical conditions can cause pigment loss in your hair. It is also caused by autoimmune diseases such as vitiligo, malignant anemia, thyroid diseases and premature aging syndromes.

• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies

Lack of iron, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and selenium can also cause hair follicle bleaching.  Deficiencies of vitamin B12 and iron are found in people with premature hair aging

• Stress

Emotional stress also plays a role here. Studies have shown that the oxidative load caused by psychological stress can cause premature hair aging .

• Chemicals

Sometimes, the use of chemical shampoos, soaps, hair dyes, etc. can directly cause this problem. However, it can also result from certain allergic infections.

• Oxidative stress

Oxidative stress can cause premature aging. It is caused due to excessive production of oxidants in the body, which are also affected by exogenous factors such as UV radiation, pollution, emotional factors or inflammatory causes.

• Smoking

Studies have shown that smoking is one of the main factors leading to premature hair aging. Smoking causes damage to the melanocytes in the hair follicles, which leads to premature aging.

• Hydrogen peroxide

Hair follicles produce small amounts of hydrogen peroxide, which cleanses the hair and causes it to turn grey, and eventually white. These quantities accumulate in the hairs. Removing this buildup can help your hair regain its natural color.

Can I prevent it?

Unfortunately, gray hair is impossible to stop, which means there is no real way to prevent it. But you can always use products like this to restore and darken your hair! 

So far there is no easy cure or prevention for grey hair. It's a combination of our DNA and other determining factors that research is still trying to understand. Advances have been made in understanding the genetics of head hair, but there needs to be a deeper dive into even more detail to fully understand how this could change.

In any case, there is unlikely to be an 'easy fix' such as, say, eating a particular food or drink.

Instead of fearing the greys, we should embrace them as we age!

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