When it starts to turn gray depends largely on the following factors: genetics.
first gray hair usually appears Anywhere between the ages of 20 and 50. For men, gray hair normally Start with the temples and sideburns. Women tend to start seeing gray hair around their hairline, especially on the front of their head.
most rapid graying of hair This disease usually occurs between the ages of 50 and 60. But can we do anything to speed up this process, and is there anything we can do to slow it down?
You’ve probably heard that hair can turn gray through hair plucking, dyeing, and stress, but redheads don’t go gray. This is what science says.
What gives hair its color?
Each hair is produced by a hair follicle, which is a tunnel-like opening in the skin. Follicles contain two different types stem cells:
- keratinocytes, keratina protein that creates and regenerates hair strands
- generate melanocytes melanina pigment that colors hair and skin.
There is Mainly two types that of melanin decide on hair color. Eumelanin is a blackish-brown pigment, and pheomelanin is a reddish-yellow pigment.
of amount of different pigments Decide on hair color. Black and brown hair primarily contain eumelanin, red hair contains the most pheomelanin, and blonde hair contains only small amounts of both melanins.
So why does our hair turn gray?
As we age, it is normal for our cells to become less active. In the hair follicle, this stem cells Melanin production decreases, hair turns gray, and keratin decreases, causing hair thinning and hair loss.
When less melanin is produced, there is less pigment to give hair its color. Gray hair has very little melanin; gray hair has no melanin left at all.
hair without pigment looks graythe pale yellow keratin reflects light, giving it a white or silver color.
Gray hair is thicker, coarser, and harder than pigmented hair. This is because the shape of the hair follicle changes. irregular This is because stem cells change with age.
Interestingly, gray hair also grows faster than pigmented hair, but use more energy In the process.
Can stress cause hair to turn gray?
Yes, it can be stressful Causes hair to turn gray. This happens in the following cases: oxidative stress Damages hair follicles and stem cells, stop their production melanin.
Oxidative stress is an imbalance in which there are too many harmful free radical chemicals in the body and not enough protective antioxidant chemicals. it is possible caused by psychological or emotional stress, autoimmune disease.
environmental factors Exposure to ultraviolet light and air pollution can have an effect, as well as smoking and some drugs.
Melanocytes are more susceptible to damage They are superior to keratinocytes due to the complex steps in melanin production. This explains why aging and stress cause hair to turn gray before hair loss.
Scientists have discovered that the less pigmented parts of hair, stressful events in a person’s life. In young people whose stem cells still produce melanin, hair color returns after the stressful event has passed.
Four common ideas and scientific opinions about gray hair:
1. If I pluck out gray hair, will it grow back in its original place?
No, when you pluck your hair, you may notice a small bulb at the end attached to your scalp. this is, root. It grows from the hair follicle.
When you pluck hair, the hair follicle is pulled out from the follicle. However, the hair follicle itself is an opening in the skin and cannot be removed. Only one hair grows from each hair follicle.
Frequent plucking can cause hair to fall out gray as beforewhen the cells that produce melanin are damaged or exhausted from overgrowth.
2. Can my hair turn gray overnight?
Legend has it that Marie Antoinette’s hair disappeared. pure white The night before the Queen of France faces the guillotine – but this is a myth.
Melanin in hair is chemically stable and does not change quickly.
Acute psychological stress rapidly depletes melanocyte stem cells with mouse. However, the effect is not immediate. Instead, gray hair becomes more noticeable at a constant rate as your hair grows. About 1 cm per month.
Not the whole hair They are always in a growth phase, so they don’t all turn gray at the same time.
3. Will my hair turn gray faster if I dye it?
this Depends on the dye.
Temporary and semi-permanent dyes do not cause premature graying, as they only coat the hair without changing its structure. However, perm products use oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide to cause chemical reactions with the hair.
Hydrogen peroxide accumulation and Other hair dye chemicals within the hair follicle may be damaged Melanocytes and keratinocytes can cause gray hair and hair loss.
4. Is it true that redheads never turn gray?
Redheads also lose melanin as they age, but in a different way than black or brown hair.
This is because red-yellow and black-brown pigments are chemically different.
The production of the dark brown pigment eumelanin is more complex; requires more energymore susceptible to damage.
Due to the production of red-yellow pigment (pheomelanin), less oxidative stressand simpler. This means that it is easy for stem cells to continue producing pheomelanin even though their activity decreases with age.
As we age, red hair tends to turn strawberry blonde or silvery white. Gray color is more common in people with black or brown hair due to low eumelanin activity.
Genetics determine when your hair starts to turn gray. However, by staying healthy, reducing stress, and avoiding smoking, excessive alcohol, and UV exposure, you may be able to avoid premature hair graying.
eat healthy eating may also be helpful vitamin B12, copper, iron, calcium, zinc all Affects melanin production and hair pigmentation.
Teresa LarkinAssociate Professor of Medicine, University of Wollongong
This article is republished from conversation Under Creative Commons License. please read original article.
