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Why do hair turn gray?

By Maja Zule - 04 Jan 2024 10044 0 comments
Why do hair turn gray?

Why Do Hair Turn Gray?

They say that healthy hair is our greatest asset. Imagine waking up in the morning, going to the bathroom, and as you’re grooming yourself in front of the mirror, you suddenly notice a gray hair. Panic might set in at that very moment. I assume most of you would be ready to scream in frustration.

"Oh no, my hair is turning gray because of all the stress you’re causing me." This is a phrase children often hear from their parents. While it's an interesting hypothesis, scientists are still continuously researching why our hair turns gray. We are natural beings inclined to look for a cause for everything. Typically, we blame gray hair on stress. However, the link between stress and graying hair is mostly a folk belief that scientists do not necessarily support.

Hair Follicles

It’s known that gray hair results from a decrease in pigment. But what exactly is pigment? It’s a substance that provides color to an organism and its parts.

Initially, hair is white. The natural color comes from a type of pigment called melanin. The production of melanin begins even before we are born. Natural hair color depends on the distribution of hair as well as the type and amount of melanin. Melanin consists of tiny pigment cells called melanocytes, which settle in deep pockets in the skin layers through which hair grows. These are known as hair follicles. Each hair grows from one follicle. For a better understanding, see Figure 1.

Why Does Our Hair Turn Gray?

Cell biology professor Dr. Desmond Tobin says that each hair follicle has a “melancholic clock” that slows down or stops the activity of melanocytes, leading to a reduction in pigment. Dr. Tobin also claims that hair turns gray due to aging, although genetics may also play a role. Some people go gray in their later years, and the process can be swift, while others start graying early, and it may take decades.

There are also other factors that can change hair pigmentation. Scientists categorize these factors as internal and external.

  • Internal factors include:
    • genetic defects
    • hormones
    • body distribution
    • age
  • External factors include:
    • climate
    • environmental pollution
    • toxins
    • chemical exposure

Recent research also suggests that hair may turn gray due to an accumulation of hydrogen peroxide. This compound can interfere with the normal synthesis of melanin, leading to the destruction of hair follicles. All hair cells produce hydrogen peroxide, but its levels increase with age, causing hair to turn gray or white.

How to Prevent Early Graying?

To start, you might consider changing your dietary habits. Add some nuts to your diet and eat more fruits like blackberries, pineapples, almonds, persimmons, and pumpkin seeds. Consume foods rich in copper, such as meat, spinach, green beans, and turnips. Increase your intake of vitamin B12, as a deficiency in this vitamin can lead to early graying of hair. This vitamin can be found in eggs, meat, and milk. If you smoke, consider quitting, as smoking accelerates the aging process, causing hair to turn gray sooner. Another popular remedy for delaying early graying is coconut oil. Apply it before bed, then rinse it out in the morning.

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