Why Does the Hair Turn Grey? Uncover the Causes
Grey hair is perhaps one of the most visible signs of old age. Those initial grey strands signal a transition for some, raising questions about what causes grey hair. This phenomenon is often associated with ageing but the reasons for change in hair colour are more diverse and intriguing than one might think. In this blog, we will discuss some of the main grey or white hair causes that can enlighten you about premature greying of the hair and more.
Causes For Grey Hair
Melanin, a pigment produced by cells called melanocytes, gives the hair its natural colour. As these cells age, they gradually produce less pigment, causing grey or white hair. However, apart from ageing, several other causes lead to the greying of hair. Let’s discuss some of them here.
- Genetics
- Stress
- Auto-immune Disease
- Thyroid Disorder
- Vitamin B-12 Deficiency
- Smoking
Your genetic makeup is the major determining factor when your hair turns grey. If you get a hint that your parents or grandparents went grey very early, then you most likely will too. Genetic predisposition plays a pivotal role in determining the age at which you'll notice your first grey hair. Some may see the beginnings of grey hair as early as in their teens or when they are in their twenties while others might only begin seeing the streaks of grey in their hair much later in life.
Even though there have been debates on the connection between stress and grey hair for a long time, newer research indicates that it probably is connected. Stress is believed to accelerate the depletion of melanocyte stem cells. In high-stress situations, the body's response can influence the biochemical processes that lead to hair colour changes. While stress alone may not be a direct cause of grey hair, it can contribute to its premature onset, especially when combined with other factors.
Some auto-immune diseases can affect the hair’s pigmentation. The result of auto-immune diseases like vitiligo includes sagging of the skin and greying of hair as the body’s immune system starts attacking the melanocytes. Similarly, alopecia areata can lead to patches of white hair as the immune system targets hair follicles. These conditions indicate the close interrelation between the immune system and hair pigmentation.
Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are some forms of thyroid diseases that could impair hair health and colour. It controls most of the functions of the body, from metabolism to hormone production influencing hair growth and pigmentation. When the thyroid is impaired, it causes changes in hair texture and early greying. This effect could be managed through medical intervention for treating thyroid imbalances.
One of the many early grey hair causes is the lack of vitamin B-12. This vitamin is crucial for maintaining healthy nerve cells and producing DNA and RNA, the body's genetic material. A lack of B-12 can affect the production of red blood cells, which impacts the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to hair cells, potentially leading to premature grey hair. Ensuring a diet rich in B-12 or taking supplements can help mitigate this cause.
While smoking is detrimental to general health, it can also speed up the process of greying. Studies show that smoking is highly associated with the early onset of grey hair. The chemicals in cigarettes may destroy melanocytes, a hair pigment-producing cell, that causes the early onset of hair greying. Quitting smoking will not only preserve your general health but also delay the onset of grey hairs.
Understanding the causes of grey hair provides valuable insight into the intricacies of genetics, lifestyle and health. Even though you cannot change your genetic fate, lifestyle changes and healthy conditions can help manage the occurrence of grey hair. Natural grey or not, a proper holistic approach to hair well-being is essential.
If greying persists after taking all the preventive measures, you can embrace your greys and experiment with trendy hair colours to your heart’s content. Explore a wide variety of demi-permanent hair colours to find your perfect match. Ombre, Balayage, Highlights the hair colour trends are endless and so are your options to have fun with them. Explore them all to find out which popular hair colouring technique you should try next.
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