Why does grey hair happen

It also helps determine whether a person will burn or tan in the sun. The dark or light color of someone's hair depends on how much melanin each hair has. As we get older, the pigment cells in our hair follicles gradually die. When there are fewer pigment cells in a hair follicle, that strand of hair will no longer contain as much melanin and will become a more transparent color — like gray, silver, or white — as it grows.

As people continue to get older, fewer pigment cells will be around to produce melanin. Eventually, the hair will look completely gray. People can get gray hair at any age. Some people go gray at a young age — as early as when they are in high school or college — whereas others may be in their 30s or 40s before they see that first gray hair. Your age when you first notice gray hair depends on a number of factors, some of which are out of your control.

Here's why some women gray earlier — while others get to hold onto their colorful strands for longer. Whether you rock brown, black, red, or blonde hair naturally, your hair color comes from a substance called melanin, which is made by hair follicles tiny structures in your skin that produce and grow hair.

The color of your hair depends on the distribution, type, and amount of melanin — all of which lives in the middle layer of the hair shaft called the cortex. Sure, there is a wide range of shades out there from ash blonde to midnight black.

But, fun fact: There are only two types of hair color pigments — dark and light. These two blend together to form these shades. Melanin doesn't produce at the same rate forever. As you get older, your hair follicles make less of it, which leads to less color and, eventually, graying hair. Another reason your hair may turn gray is related to its chemical processes. The cells in your hair naturally produce a small amount of hydrogen peroxide. Normally, an enzyme called catalase breaks down the hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.

However, as you get older, you produce lower amounts of catalase, which allows the hydrogen peroxide to build up. This buildup can damage the pigment-producing cells, leading to gray or white hairs. Chester County Hospital's Health e-Living Blog offers a regular serving of useful health and lifestyle information for the residents of Chester County, PA and the surrounding region. Health e-Living Blog. You're brushing through your hair when you see it — a little gray hair making its first appearance.

Whether you reach for the tweezers or decide to embrace the change, that first gray hair is often a memorable moment for many women. For some women, hair can be a form of self expression. When it begins to turn gray, some women think nothing of it or even realize that they love their new silvery strands.

But for others, it can feel frustrating or unfair, especially if it happens earlier than expected. Bazaar Bride. United States. Type keyword s to search.

Today's Top Stories. Goodbye to All That. Andreas Kuehn Getty Images. What causes gray hair? There is no miracle cure to reverse gray hair. Related Stories. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses.

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