Why Our Hair Turns Grey

As people age, their hair loses its youthful luster and becomes gray. While most women and men start to go grey in their mid-thirties, some women can have a few strands of their hair turn grey as early as their twenty-fives.
So Why Our Hair Turns Grey?
The pigment cells in the hair follicle produce a substance called melanin that gives it its color. Grey hair is caused by the loss of this melanin.

Scientists are trying to determine why our hair turns gray. They're unsure whether it's the result of genetics or lifestyle choices. However, they have identified some factors that may be associated with grey.

Oxidative damage

One of the factors researchers are studying is stress. The oxidative damage produced by stress could lead to a more significant number of gray hairs. In fact, a recent study conducted by New York University found that stress may have a small but significant effect on greying.

Another factor is the innate immune system. Studies have shown that a protein called MITF is associated with chronic stress. MITF plays an essential role in maintaining the production of pigment cells. This suggests that a person's innate immune system may be tied to a possible connection between stress and greying.

A new study

From the Italian Dermatology Online Journal indicates that smokers have a higher rate of premature greying than non-smokers. Androgen receptors, which are responsible for triggering hair growth, can be damaged by smoking. Eventually, these adamantions can cause the follicles to become sensitive to androgen, leading to baldness.

Genetics and the environment are also vital factors. There's no definitive way to determine when you'll go grey, but your family tree is a good start. You're also more likely to go grey if you're Asian or Caucasian.

Some women embrace their gray hair, but others are frustrated by it. For many, their first gray strand is a memorable moment. Others fear the eventual onset of baldness. Still, there needs to be concrete proof of how a person's stress or genetics can affect their chances of getting grey.

Other studies have looked at stress and greying in more detail. These studies have revealed that a small amount of stress can dramatically impact the amount of melanin produced by your hair follicles. Those under constant pressure can be depleted of this melanin, which causes them to shed their hair more rapidly and efficiently.

Lack of vitamin

In addition to stress and a lack of vitamin B12, other factors can affect the growth of grey hair. For example, the sympathetic nervous system is activated when you're stressed. Under stress, the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated to produce inflammatory chemicals that can destroy pigment-producing cells in the hair follicle.

It is essential to understand that genetics and a lack of vitamins and minerals can also play a role in your hair turning gray. Ultimately, your hair's color will depend on its type of melanin and the distribution of the melanin.