Hair can be blonde, brown, black or red, but over time, it tends to turn gray or white, and is often associated with aging. This phenomenon can affect self-esteem, especially if it occurs early. Popular wisdom and various expressions claim that stress and worries cause gray hair. However, experts point out that the problem is not limited to a hard day at work or naughty children, and there are other factors that contribute to the appearance of gray hair.
Hair follicles have stem cells called melanocytes, which produce melanin, the pigment responsible for hair color. These cells continue to produce melanin for a certain period. Hair takes on different shades depending on the types of melanin: eumelanin, responsible for the brown and black colors, and pheomelanin, which gives the red tone. A mutation in a melanin receptor results in red hair. As we age, melanin-producing cells enter a process called apoptosis (programmed death), which causes hair to begin to lose color, turning white or gray.
Dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal, speaking to Washington Poststates that “in addition to age, many other factors determine when hair starts to change color”. Genetics is the main factor. If your parents started having gray hair at an early age, you are more likely to experience this phenomenon at a young age as well. Ethnicity also influences: a study revealed that, among Caucasians, the average age for the first gray hair to appear is 34 years old, while among people of African ethnicity, it usually happens around 44 years old.
According to , stress is another relevant factor. Although gray hair itself is not directly caused by stress, it can accelerate the progression of gray hair. The expert explains that “melanocytes can be depleted when they are under stress. Although genetics is the biggest contributing factor, stress is also important.”
Furthermore, a balanced diet can delay the appearance of gray hair. Consuming foods rich in antioxidants, such as fish, olive oil, fresh fruits and vegetables, can help reduce oxidative stress in cells. A diet rich in protein is also important. Smoking and nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamins D or B12, can also contribute to changing hair color. To keep your hair in good health, Shilpi Khetarpal suggests “reducing stress with exercise and meditation.”
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