What else besides aging causes hair to turn grey?

Answer 1

The pigment cells called melanocytes, when they work right, keeps the youthful color of the hair . When they die off or develop in the wrong part of the hair follicle, the hair turns gray.

So what causes the graying of the hair? Aging is the foremost cause for an obvious explanation that some stem cells that generate the cells which make pigment die off with age.

Other reasons are linked with the malfunctioning of melanocyte production. The melanocyte-producing stem cells may develop pigmented melanocytes in the wrong location, rendering them useless. Others may have lost their melanocyte stem cells shortly after birth and turn gray quickly.Cell survival in general is influenced by an "anti-death" gene known as Bcl2. Researchers suggest that people who gray prematurely may have mutations that knock out Bcl2.

Sometimes melanocytes go completely the other way, multiplying out of control to form the tumors of malignant melanoma. When melanocytes get cancerous, the hair turns gray. I can see that this being the cause, explains how the cancer drugs restored the color of the graying hair. Read this article: http://beauty.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=beauty&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.bbc.co.uk%2F2%2Fhi%2Fhealth%2F2180244.stm

Generally all factors that affect the activity of melanocytes can turn the hair gray. Genetic and climatic factors got much influence on this too. Severe emotional stress, certain internal diseases especially diseases of the thyroid gland and certain types of anemia's, autoimmune diseases are some of known causes.

According to Ayurveda; excessive passion, anger and phychic strain, chronic cold and sinusitis, use of warm water for washing hair can result graying of hair.

Lastly, using artifical hair color with a dye or any coloring material apparently make the hair gray..

Answer 2

I think that genetics has the most to do with it.

I have had severe health problems, more stress than most people ever deal with, bad eating habits at times, and whatever else, yet at age 48, I have nary a grey hair, and no, i don't colour it.

I am of a race that tends to grey later, rather than earlier, and have relatives with same late greying hair.

Answer 3

Yes. The genetics works both ways. I was starting to turn white at 22 and my daughter started at 20 with grey at 18. My father was already going white when I was old enough to recognize the fact.

Answer 4

This can also be caused from being extremely ill, and taking strong medication, over a short period of time. Usually the hair falls out (in places) or becomes thinner and then returns although grey in colour.
Or if it is in one place you could have a Mallan streak wich is genetic

Answer 5

Stress

Answer 6

Stress

Answer 7

Genetics and stress are two causes of grey hair.

Answer 8

Being the President of the United States. Look what happened to Bill Clinton.

Answer 9

Stress!! I have alot of grey hairs from that!!
oh & having kids.

Answer 10

dude dont listen to these guys im a pre med student. grey hair is caused from a lack of keritin production in hair follices. keritin is what gives your hair color. the only thing you can do is get use to it or hair dye.