Do you often look into your grey hair and wonder why does hair turn grey or white? What is happening? Why, all of a sudden, has your hair started changing its color? If so, then read this blog to learn more.
Understanding the Science Behind Hair Color
When you start noticing the change of color in your hair, you will find out that it is not one day that your hair suddenly changes its color from black to grey, but the melanin production within hair follicles starts changing with time. So, what is melanin production and hair follicles and why does hair turn grey or white because of that?
Melanin Production and Hair Follicles
Melanin, also known as the pigment producer of our body. It produces specialized cells called melanocytes, located in hair follicles. These cells transfer melanin to the keratinocytes, the cells that make up the hair shaft.
Basically there are two kind of melanin:
- Eumelanin, which gives hair a brown or black color, and
- Pheomelanin, which gives hair a red or yellow hue.
The Role of Melanin in Hair Color
So, what is the role of Melanin when it comes to your hair? Well, Melanin is the one that determines your hair color. The high concentrations of eumelanin result in the black or brown of your hair. The various levels of pheomelanin produce shades of red and blonde in your hair. This exact mix of melanins creates a spectrum of variety in human hair colors.
What Happens When Melanin Production Decreases?
When you age, the melanocytes in your body start producing less melanin, which eventually may die. Without sufficient melanin present in your hair the new hair will grow without any pigment that will eventually appear as grey or white. This process can begin at different times and ages for different people.
Factors Contributing to Hair Greying
So, why does hair turn Grey or White from the tip? What are the factors that affect your grey hair? Why Does Hair Turn Grey or White? Read more to find out.
Genetics and Age
A lot of people try to find answers to the question: why does hair turn grey or white at a young age? Well, it is your genetics. Your genetics and age play a huge role in when and how your hair turns white or grey. If folks in your family experience early greying, then there is a high probability that you will also experience earlier greying. What has been observed over the years across the human race is that hair begins to lose its color in mid to late adulthood, but it can vary from person to person.
Genetic and age is the answer to why does hair turn grey or white prematurely.
Stress and Lifestyle
It is 2024; the world thrives on deadlines and stress. A lot of young people ask why does hair turn grey or White at a young age? Well, here is an answer.
While your genetics play a massive role in making your color grey, your current lifestyle and habits have a significant effect on your grey hair.
Other factors like chronic stress may accelerate the depletion of melanocytes, leading to earlier onset of grey hair. Lack of healthy food, drinking, smoking, eating junk food, etc, will negatively impact your overall hair health.
Medical Conditions and Medications
Other factors that play a huge role in making your hair grey are certain medical conditions like vitiligo or alopecia areata, which can affect melanin production and result in white or grey hair. Sometimes, some medications and treatments, particularly those for cancer, can alter hair pigmentation, leading to a quicker greying of your hair.
Can You Prevent Hair greying?
You got the answer to why Does Hair Turn Grey or White? Now You have grey/white hairs now what? Now, how can white hair be prevented from spreading? What are the next steps? Let’s find out.
Addressing Underlying Causes
To understand why your hair is changing its color, you need to dig in. Preventing hair from turning grey or white is hard, but once you know the underlying conditions, you can use meditation, food, exercise, etc., to potentially slow the greying process.
Managing Stress and Lifestyle Factors
Your body is healthy when you make sure to take care of it. If you leave it uncared, you will start seeing the effect all around it. When you try to cultivate a healthy lifestyle and maintain a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, you can positively influence your hair health. Foods to prevent white hair are high in antioxidants, such as berries, nuts, and leafy greens, which will help you maintain melanin production longer and keep your hair healthy, delaying the greying process. Good food and lifestyle are the only way to prevent white/grey hair at a young age.
Conclusion: Embracing Your Natural Hair Color
Ageing is human, and with a change in age, you will see changes in your body. Your hair will change to grey or white with time, but if you do not like it, there are always different ways to color it, like Caaru’s hair color, and give it the color you want. Now that you found an answer to Why Does Hair Turn Grey or White? Remember, your grey hair reflects the experiences and wisdom gained over the years, so color it if you feel like it, or embrace your natural hair. The choice is always yours.
Add comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.