Why do our hair turn white or grey when we are older?
Hair is one of the most defining characteristics of any mammal. Our hair is a keratin filament that grows. Hair also grow from follicles scattered throughout our bodies, and there are numerous factors that could affect normal hair growth. Some of these factors include androgen's, nutrition as well as our genetic material.
What are androgens?
Androgen is a male hormone. Both men and women produce this hormone, but obviously in different amounts. The principal androgens are testosterone and androstenedione. These are present in much higher levels in men and play an important role in male traits and reproductive activity.
Hair growth
There has always been a parallel connection between our bodily aging process and the growth of hair. There are three stages of hair growth. The Anagen, catagen and telogon phases. Once a cycle is complete it restarts and a new strand of hair begins to form.
Can you make your hair grow faster?
Hair grows at about 1.25 centimeter per month or 15 centimeter per year. Ironically to grow your hair, you need to cut your hair every ten to twelve weeks.
If you can prevent split ends and use good conditioner, that might help with hair growth and also taking a good vitamin supplement, but other than that you just have to wait it out. It takes time to grow your hair.
When do our hair turn grey or white?
All hair is originally white. It gets a pigment, called melanin, through specialized cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes are mature melanin forming cells typically in the skin. We get our hair color, when these cells pump a pigment into the hair follicles.
Melanin has two predominant types. Dark pigment and light pigment. These combine in various proportions and produce a huge range of hair structures. The combination is mainly determined by our genes. Melanocytes start their secretion even before our birth, and that function regresses with age. It keeps on decreasing and after the age of thirty, decreases function by ten to twenty percent. Why and how the function lessens is a complete mystery.
Some scientists believe that our hair follicles have a ‘melanogenic clock’ that regulates hair pigmentation with age and hence, minimizes it with aging. Grey hair is a precursor of white hair, and contains less or no melanin at all due to inactive melanocytes.
Genes and DNA plays an important role in hair color. So if you are turning grey at a young age, you should blame it on your parents.
What causes baldness?
The cause of baldness is mainly due to genetics. Male pattern baldness is once again associate by the male sex hormones called androgens. It usually has no medical ill effects, so if you are losing hair at an alarming rate, then there might be an underlying medical cause and you should go and see a doctor.
Why is everyone so unhappy with their hair?
Some people always complain about their hair. If they have curly hair, they want straight hair and if they have straight hair they want curly hair.
The mere fact that you even have hair should be a blessing!
There are so many promising hair products out there, but none of them really works. Make sure to wash your hair at least twice a week. (Yes,that is enough) and use a good conditioner. Also be sure to eat enough healthy foods, and take in your prescribed vitamins per day, to ensure proper hair- health.
If you are healthy your hair should be healthy!
Here are some nutritious foods that you can eat to keep your hair healthy.
- Spinach.
- Greek yogurt.
- Salmon.
- Cinnamon.
- Oatmeal.
- Guava.
- Eggs.
- Lentils
One good thing about hair is that it grows out again. Should you have a hair disaster, chances are that you will have proper hair again soon. Just wait it out.
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My sister's hair turned grey when she was just 15. Now at the age of 20, only few of black hair left. It's weird because none of the other family members are like that. Is it normal?
It must be in her genes....but hey, at least grey is the new fashion color of the decade so she must fit right in!
That was a good write up but reading through your post I have a feeling that something is left out and this is what I think should be added.
HOW TO PREVENT GREY HAIR.
Lack of Vitamin B12 causes prematurely greying hair. You can have a good and healthy hair colour by consuming lots of poultry, eggs, cheese, milk and seafood.
But just so you should know, it is believed that grey hair symbolizes wisdom.
Good point!
They say that gray hair in men makes them attractive in old age women ... that is why many women dye their hair every time .. others say that it is wisdom ... many beliefs and myths ... In my almost 50 years I have few visible gray hairs and I've never colored it
natural products to keep it healthy, like bicarbonate and many more that I use ... excellent post .. I support you.
I invite you to visit my profile .. and if it seems to you vote .. Thank you.
Sincerely, i did not know that our hair was originally white before turning to black. This is an eye opning and educative post, alot of things that were not taught in class even as science students.
Thank you for this wonderful post as usual, you have added to my knowledge bank @giantbear
Thanks for using the wafrica tag! @wafrica can give just one upvote per day!
Hair can be a major decoration. But if their appearance is untidy, they can spoil the best picture. It is important to take care of your hair. I like the look of the old men's gray hair. That makes them so noble.
Oh I love grey hair on men, and often women too, but NOT on myself. Fortunately I do not have a lot of grey hair and I manage to cut out most of the grey hair when I go for a haircut.
Ha ha, I don't want to see gray hair on my head either. I like your blog.
very informative thank you!
I started getting grey hair at 25 haha. Oh well.
And the primary androgen suspected of causing hair loss is dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Hey @mrsomeone I like your name! My mother started turning grey at 25, luckily I skipped that gene...lol
Thanks haha. I like the giantbear thing with a pic of a bear. Two of my sisters skipped the grey hair gene as well. Lucky them.
Thanks for using the wafrica tag! @wafrica can give just one upvote per day!
Great solution hair, beauty hair