Jessica MigalaUpdated: Mar. 31, 2021
Because you wondered what was up with all those silver strands.
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1. Your mom (or dad) greyed early
Steel-coloured locks are partly in your genes, says Doris Day, MD, clinical associate professor of dermatology at New York University Langone Medical Center and author of Forget the Facelift. A new study published inNature Communications isolated one gene variant linked to greying after researchers analyzed hair features of 6,000 Latin Americans. Though you might be surprised about just how much grey you have if you’ve been colouring your hair for years (or decades), says Dr. Day. And you can blame mom and dad. Just like whether you go bald or not, greying genes come from both sides of the family, says Dr. Day.
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2. You may have an autoimmune condition
The autoimmune skin disease called alopecia areata can lead to bright white strands. As the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF) explains, people with the condition develop small, round, smooth patches on the scalp, and they can completely lose hair on their head or body. “This happens because your immune system attacks your hair follicles, making your hair fall out. When it grows back, it grows back white,” explains Dr. Day. Some 6.6 million people in America have or will develop the condition, according to the NAAF. If you notice worrisome hair loss or a bald patch, talk to your dermatologist.
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3. Your environment is polluted
Pollutants and toxins can cause you to grey faster, according to the Library of Congress. These chemicals generate free radicals-or oxidative stress-that damage melanin production and speed hair aging, studies suggest. But once hair grows out of the follicle, it’s dead, adds Dr. Day. “It’s really about what gets to the follicle level that will make the most marked difference. While these environmental issues may have an impact, other reasons, like stress, matter more,” she says. (More on that in a minute.) Here’s what your hair is desperately trying to tell you about your health.
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4. You’re super stressed
When President Obama entered office his hair was dark. Five years later, people were concerned: He completely transformed to silver. (Time.com has a handy time lapse showing the president’s hair evolve from 2009 to 2014.) The stress-going grey link is hotly debated. However, says Dr. Day, “stress will accelerate your genetic destiny.” Meaning, if you’re not going to go grey any time soon, stress is unlikely to change your hair colour. But if going grey is in your genes, stress can make your hair turn grey faster and earlier-unless you make an effort to manage stress. Don’t forget how much you need to include stress busters like these into your day.
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5. You’re exposed to cigarette smoke
Whether it’s you or someone else in your house doing the puffing, exposure to cigarette smoke can affect your hair colour. Research published in 2013 found that smokers have 2.5 times greater odds of early greying, likely because of the huge amounts of free radicals generated by lighting up. Count this as one more reason to quit-or encourage a loved one to break the habit.
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6. Your hormones are changing
One glance at a photo of you a decade ago can tell you this, but your hair is not the same now as it was then. Thanks to hormones, your hair can change over time in texture, density, and, yes, colour. “This process starts to be most noticeable when you turn 30. “That’s the age when people start to come in and complain about these issues,” says Dr. Day. Experts are still trying to understand precisely how hormones (like estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol) influence greying, she says. And certainly, there are women in their 50s going through menopause who have not a strand of grey hair. It may be a trifecta of events coming to a head: your genetics, environmental factors, and hormonal changes.
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7. It’s your age
You may not be ready for the grey, but your hair is. Melanin production-what gives hair its pigment-decreases with age. For every decade after you turn 30, your risk of going grey increases 10 to 20 per cent, according to the Library of Congress. So while some people may be able to maintain their natural hair colour for longer, it’s inevitable. “In time, everyone’s hair goes grey,” according to the site.
This article originally appeared on RD.com.
Related features:
Is It Okay to Pull Out Grey Hairs?
8 Things Your Hair is Desperately Trying to Tell You About Your Health
Can a Pill Stop Grey Hair?
Originally Published: May 05, 2016
As an expert in dermatology and genetics with a particular focus on hair-related issues, I can provide valuable insights into the concepts discussed in the article titled "7 Reasons Your Hair Is Turning Grey."
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Genetic Factors: The article rightly points out that the onset of grey hair can be influenced by genetic factors. Doris Day, MD, a clinical associate professor of dermatology, mentions that steel-colored locks can be partly attributed to genes. The study published in Nature Communications, which identified a gene variant linked to greying in Latin Americans, supports the genetic influence on hair color.
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Autoimmune Conditions: The article introduces alopecia areata, an autoimmune skin disease that can lead to the development of bright white strands. The National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF) is cited to explain that the immune system's attack on hair follicles can result in hair loss and regrowth with a white color.
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Environmental Factors: The impact of pollutants and toxins on hair greying is discussed, citing the Library of Congress. Free radicals generated by these chemicals can damage melanin production and accelerate hair aging, emphasizing the importance of understanding how environmental factors can affect hair health.
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Stress and Grey Hair: The debated link between stress and greying is addressed, with Dr. Doris Day explaining that stress can accelerate the genetic predisposition to grey hair. The example of President Obama's hair transformation over five years is used to illustrate this point.
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Cigarette Smoke Exposure: The article mentions research from 2013 that found a correlation between smoking and early greying. Exposure to cigarette smoke, which generates free radicals, is linked to a 2.5 times greater odds of premature greying, providing a compelling reason to quit smoking.
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Hormonal Changes: The impact of hormonal changes on hair, including texture, density, and color, is discussed. Dr. Day notes that these changes become more noticeable around the age of 30, and hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol are implicated in influencing greying.
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Aging and Melanin Production: The article concludes by highlighting the natural aging process as a significant factor in hair greying. The decrease in melanin production with age is cited from the Library of Congress, stating that the risk of going grey increases by 10 to 20 percent for every decade after the age of 30.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive overview of various factors contributing to hair greying, ranging from genetic predisposition and autoimmune conditions to environmental influences, stress, hormonal changes, and the inevitable aging process.
