What causes gray hair?

Question

What is the cause of gray hair? What causes the loss of pigment in hair folicles?

Answer 1

Stress, either profound or chronic, can cause a loss of pigment. Sometimes, pigment returns after the cause of the stress is resolved. The biggest cause is aging. Over time the cells that produce hair color simply stop producing.

Answer 2

When our bodies are functioning well, cells in our hair follicles called melanocytes generate pigments -- the chief one being melanin. When the melanocytes stop producing these pigments, we sprout a transparent hair, which appears as an unsightly gray due to the color of the dead cells that comprise the strand.

Why does this happen? The most common reason is heredity; premature gray hair is yet another thing we can blame on our parents. But there are also several medical conditions characterized by graying of the hair. A B-12 deficiency, a thyroid imbalance, and anemia can all cause premature gray hair. And if you needed yet another reason to quit smoking, there is new evidence that smokers are four times more likely to go gray at a young age.

The common belief that psychological shock or trauma can turn hair gray overnight is cause for a fair amount of controversy. While some people claim such an occurrence, many scientists question the actual time frame involved.

Answer 3

I started demise my hair at 26...Dyed it for 45 years...Do not need as many gray hairs as others my age...Am nearly 75 now and still have some colour mixed in with the grey... Don't think dying will rationale extra gray hairs...And can make you seem more youthful...

Answer 4

Graying hair is genetically influenced, and increases with age. Mine started turning white when I was 20, and I had no stress other than which party to go to back then.

Stress has nothing to do with gray or white hair.

Answer 5

i began demise my hair at 26...dyed it for 40 5 years...don't have as many gray hairs as others my age...Am very virtually 75 now and nevertheless have some coloration jumbled mutually with the gray... do not imagine demise will reason more effective gray hairs...and could make you look youthful...

Answer 6

stress can make it happen earlier, but it is really just a part of ageing. It's sad how many young people, even in their early 20's suffer from balding and grey hair.

Answer 7

Stress is a big factor. Diet, lifestyle, heredity.

Answer 8

a **** sex life in ur younger days, or if u were someones worst shag 10 years later u get grey hair as a curse its true

Answer 9

stress, kids, tireness. u might want to sleep earlier so u can get rest. or maybe ur getting old...no offense.

Answer 10

stress