Why Does Our Hair Go Gray?

Most people see their first gray hairs in their 30s, although the process begins in the teen years for some. Men usually see gray hair beginning around age 30, while the average woman sees gray strands appearing at about age 35. The first gray hairs often sprout in the area of the top of the head or the temple. Gray hair does not actually turn gray, but rather becomes apparent in the normal process of hair shedding, as new strands of gray hair replace the approximately 50 to 100 head hairs you shed each day.

Age

Hair cells naturally produce tiny amounts of hydrogen peroxide, the same chemical substance used by hairdressers to lighten hair color. As hair follicles age, they begin producing more and more hydrogen peroxide, essentially bleaching the hair from the inside out, according to the Science Daily website.

Genetics

Your genes are responsible for regulating the process of hair’s melanin production. Not only does the age at which a person goes gray vary, so does the rate at which the hair loses its color. Some people gray rapidly and at a young age, while in others the process may last for decades. Although genetics is a prime factor in determining the age at which you see your first gray hair, there does not appear to be any link between graying and premature aging or mortality, according to an article in the New York Times.

Health

Your health can affect your hair color. Pernicious anemia, which is caused by vitamin B12 deficiency, can cause a decrease in melanin production leading to gray hair. Thyroid disease and certain autoimmune disorders can cause hair to fall out more quickly, making newer white hair rapidly apparent. The same is true of certain drugs, including lithium, which is commonly used for manic depression, and methotrexate, which is used to treat some types of arthritis and cancer. Although the reason is unclear, smokers go gray more quickly than non-smokers, according to the website InteliHealth.com.

Other Factors

It is possible that stress plays a role in the graying process. Although scientists have found no direct link between stress and gray hair, stress hormones could conceivably affect the production of the hair’s melanin. It is also possible that chronic free radical damage causes graying, according to Scientific American.

Misconceptions

Some people believe that those with dark hair have a greater chance of going gray, or go gray earlier. This myth may have come about because gray or white hairs are much more noticeable on dark haired people. No matter what your hair color, you have the same chances of going gray, according to HairBoutique.com.