Unless you dye it, your hair will ultimately lose its color, probably in your 30s or 40s. Though greying is natural, many people fear it due to societal perceptions of aging. Here’s what scientists know about how and why people’s hair greys.
What causes the natural color of hair?
Melanin, the brown/black or yellow/red pigment that tints skin and eyes, also determines the color of your hair. “The amount and combination of melanin impact hair color,” dermatologist Wilma Bergfeld, MD adds.
Why is there color in hair?
Scientists are divided. The characteristic may have evolved to help pre-humans distinguish themselves and attract mates, as well as to help control body temperature by absorbing or reflecting sunlight.
What causes gray hair?
Gray hair is actually hair with less pigment, whereas white hair has none. This is due in part to a steady decrease in the number of stem cells that mature into melanin-producing cells. Scientists are baffled as to why. Cells can wear out, become injured, or lose the support systems that keep them running. Genes have a role as well, as they help influence melanin production.
Is there anything that can stop hair from greying?
No, not just now. Using mice, researchers discovered that three key genes can help maintain a steady number of melanin-producing cells. The researchers avoided or reduced grey hair in mice by altering the genes. However, no product based on the findings is now on the market.
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