The science, the myths, and all those fun facts you didn’t know.. Until now!
If you’ve noticed a few more of those sneaky silver strands creeping into your hair, you’re not alone!
Grey hair is a natural part of the aging process, but it’s also a subject surrounded by plenty of questions. From the reasons why it happens to how you can manage it, there’s a lot to know about those silver devils.
So, come along for a deep dive into the science behind grey hair, the myths surrounding it, and some fun facts to leave you feeling a little more enlightened (heck maybe even excited?!) about your greys!
Why Does Hair Turn Grey?
Let’s start with the basics. Grey hair is a result of a decrease in melanin, which is the pigment responsible for the colour of your hair, your skin, and eyes! There are two types of melanin within the hair: eumelanin (which gives hair brown or black hues) and pheomelanin (which gives hair blonde and red hues). As we age, the melanocytes, which are the cells responsible for producing melanin, gradually slow down their production. This means that less pigment is deposited into the hair shaft, leaving behind a mix of pigmented and non-pigmented (white) hairs. Over time, as melanocytes stop producing pigment altogether, the hair turns completely grey / white. But why does this happen in the first place?
The Genetics of Grey Hair
If you’re wondering when you'll start going grey, your genes are the key factor! The age at which you go grey is largely inherited from your parents. Yup. In fact, research suggests that if your mother went grey early, you may too (cheers, Mum!). Studies have also shown that genetics is responsible for around 90% of the timing when it comes to grey hair.
But there is actually more to the story than just genetics. Environmental and lifestyle factors, like stress, smoking, or diet, can also play a role.
Can Grey Hair Be Reversed?
Unfortunately, once your hair turns grey, it is permanent. But don’t fret!! There are ways to embrace it, and even enhance it! You can colour over it, or even embrace natural those grey wonders. Some people find their grey hair is a beautiful silver, whilst others love how their grey strands mix in with their natural original shade.
Tip: If you’re considering transitioning to grey hair, it’s best to do so gradually. That way, you can avoid any noticeable demarcation lines and keep things looking fresh. Your Quirker can help you with this transition, by blending your existing colour with highlights / lowlights, making it a much smoother process! Ask them at your next appointment for what would be the best approach for your hair + your ideas / lifestyle.
Pulling Out Grey Hair - Will It Make Even More Appear?
Ah, the age-old myth: “Pull out a grey hair, and several more will follow in its wake.” While this may sound like something your well-meaning grandmother might tell you, it’s simply not true! Let’s dive into the science behind it.
Each hair follicle on your scalp is an independent entity, following its own life cycle. When you pluck a grey hair, you're simply removing one follicle from the equation. The process doesn’t trigger any hidden army of new greys to spring up around it. The graying of hair is a result of a reduction in melanin production as we age, not a cascade effect of plucking gone wrong.
However, there is a catch - repeatedly plucking hairs can lead to more than just a temporary bald spot in your bathroom sink. Over time, excessive plucking can damage the hair follicle. This can result in inflammation, scarring, and even the loss of the follicle's ability to grow hair altogether, which could lead to permanent hair loss in the affected area. Not exactly the "voluminous" outcome you were hoping for, right?
So, what's the bottom line? While pulling out that one lone grey that keeps teasing you won’t unleash a storm of new ones, the act of plucking can indeed cause damage to the follicles, resulting in unwanted side effects like hair thinning or bald patches. Rather than engaging in this risky business, it’s a far better idea to embrace the natural changes happening to your hair, or, colour them if you cant quite face the music just now! After all, those greys are a sign of wisdom (and maybe some fantastic life experiences). If you’re really concerned about the health of your hair, don’t hesitate to consult with your Quirker for some expert advice!
Remember: your follicles deserve better than a plucking spree. Treat them well, and they’ll keep you looking sharp!
The Scientific Side: Free Radicals and Oxidative Stress
On a deeper level, free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage cells, are believed to be a contributing factor in aging, including the graying of hair. Free radicals can cause oxidative stress in the body, which could affect melanocytes. This means that over time, your body’s ability to produce melanin decreases, which leads to grey hair.
The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Grey Hair
You might be wondering.. Can vitamin or mineral deficiencies speed up the greying process? Well, yes.
Certain deficiencies can affect your hair health and potentially cause premature greying. Some of the key nutrients linked to hair colour include:
Vitamin B12: Deficiency in B12 is often associated with premature greying. This vitamin helps maintain healthy red blood cells, which in turn helps to nourish hair follicles.
Copper: Copper is essential for melanin production, so a lack of copper can affect the pigmentation process. Studies have shown that low copper levels may contribute to premature grey hair.
Iron: Iron deficiencies can lead to weak hair follicles and hair loss, which can indirectly make greying hair more noticeable.
Folic Acid: Folate, (or vitamin B9), is essential for the production of red blood cells, and its deficiency may also contribute to graying hair.
While these nutrients are important for overall hair health, there’s no guaranteed cure for grey hair through supplementation alone (yet, anyway!). However, ensuring a balanced diet rich in these vitamins and minerals may help to slow down the process, and keep your hair strong and healthy as you age.
Health Treatments and Grey Hair
Certain health treatments, particularly chemotherapy, can also cause hair to turn grey prematurely. Chemotherapy works by targeting rapidly dividing cells within the body - both cancer cells and healthy cells (like those in your hair follicles). This can disrupt the normal pigment-producing process, leading to grey, or even white hair. Often, patients notice that their hair grows back grey or white after chemotherapy treatment, even if it was originally dark.
Other medical conditions, like autoimmune diseases or hormonal imbalances, can also contribute to premature greying. These conditions may impact the production of melanin, causing earlier than usual graying.
The Myth of Stress and Grey Hair
We’ve all heard of that old school myth that stress can turn your hair grey. While stress might not directly cause your hair to change colour (thank goodness!), it can impact your hair health in other ways. Stress is known to deplete the body of certain nutrients, which might indirectly contribute to the aging process. Plus, prolonged stress can result in hair loss, which may bring out more of those greys that were already there.
Fun Facts About Grey Hair You Might Not Know
Grey Hair is Thicker – While grey hair may seem finer, it is actually thicker than pigmented hair. As we age, hair follicles shrink and produce thinner strands, but grey hair often looks and feels coarser because of a lack of pigment.
Going Grey is Individual – No two people experience greying the same way. Some people will go grey all at once, while others will have a slow transition over many years. Some people may even go grey in patches!
Aging Gracefully – Embracing grey hair has become more fashion forward in recent years, as many people are opting to ditch the hair dye and rock their natural silver locks. This movement, often called the "silver revolution," celebrates the beauty and individuality of grey hair.
Grey Hair is More Common Than You Think – By the age of 50, approximately 50% of people have significant grey hair. But don’t worry, the number of people embracing it is on the rise, as grey hair is no longer seen as something to hide, and more of something to flaunt!
How to Care for Natural Grey Hair
Now that you understand some of the science, let’s talk care!
Grey hair is more susceptible to dryness, as it lacks the natural oils produced by melanin. Here are some tips to keep your grey hair looking its best:
Moisturise, Moisturise, + Moisturise! Grey hair tends to be drier, so using a moisturising shampoo and conditioner mask can help to keep it soft, flexible and healthy. Look for products with ingredients like roucou / argan oil or shea butter to name a few.
Purple Shampoo: Grey hair can sometimes take on a yellowish or brassy tint, which is unavoidable. A good purple shampoo helps to neutralise unwanted yellow tones, and in turn brightens up your grey.
Regular Trims: Grey hair can be more prone to split ends because of dryness, so keeping up with regular trims helps maintain a healthy look.
In Conclusion Grey hair is an entirely natural part of the aging process, influenced by genetics, environmental factors, health and even lifestyle choices. It’s a process that we all go through, but just because your hair turns grey doesn’t mean you’re aging in a negative way, it’s simply part of the beautiful journey we all go through. And hey, there’s no shame in embracing it - wear it loudly + proudly!
Whether you choose to dye your grey hair or wear it proudly, remember - your grey hair is as unique as you are. So, let’s celebrate it!
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