Gray hair – a natural part of aging, largely determined by genetics.
This was reported by URA-Inform with reference to Conversation.
Most people notice their first gray strands between the ages of twenty and fifty, with gray hair usually appearing in the temples and sideburns of men, and along the hairline of women.
However, many people believe that it can be significantly affected by stressful situations and experiences. Associate Professor of Health Sciences at the University of Wollongong Teresa Larkin answered the question of whether hair can turn silver due to difficult life situations.
She noted that the graying process accelerates between the ages of 50 and 60, when the cells responsible for hair color, known as melanocytes, become less active. Hair color is determined by melanin, which is produced by melanocytes in the hair follicles. There are two types of melanin: eumelanin, which gives hair black and brown color, and pheomelanin, which is responsible for red and yellow shades.
As we age, melanocytes produce less melanin, causing hair to turn grey or white. Stress can accelerate greying by causing oxidative stress, which damages melanocytes, she said.
This oxidative stress can also be caused by psychological factors, environmental factors such as pollution and UV radiation, or smoking. In younger people, grey hair sometimes returns to its original colour once the stress is relieved, but this usually does not happen as we age.
She also dispelled popular myths about grey hair, including the idea that plucking one grey hair will cause a new one to grow. Larkin said this is not true, as each follicle produces one hair, and plucking one will not affect the others. It is also a myth that hair can turn grey overnight due to stress, since visible greying occurs gradually as hair grows.
Recall that earlier it was reported which products can replace anti-aging cream: scientists said what to include in the diet.