Why does the Hair Turn Gray?

Gray hair is considered a symbol of aging, because from the age of 50 at the latest, most people’s hair is interspersed with gray strands. But why does our hair actually turn gray? The reason that hair appears gray is a lack of melanin in the hair. Melanin production naturally decreases with age, but it can also be impaired by certain diseases or medications. In this case, even young people may develop gray hair. Unfortunately, the process of graying cannot be stopped or reversed. If the gray hair disturbs visually, a tint or coloration can conceal the gray hair color.

Melanin deficiency as a cause

The visible part of the hair consists of several layers of keratinized cells. At the hair root, pigment-forming cells (melanocytes) are located next to sebaceous glands and small blood vessels. These produce the pigment melanin, which is deposited in the horny layers of the hair shaft and thus gives the hair its color. As part of the natural aging process, the activity of melanocytes decreases after a certain age: they initially produce less melanin and eventually die. In the regrowing hair, the missing melanin is replaced by air bubbles: The hair then appears white. Since this process does not occur simultaneously in all hair, the result is a mixture of white and colored hair. This gives the impression of a gray hair color, although strictly speaking there is no such thing as a “gray hair”.

Gray hair at 20

When the melanin production decreases is genetically determined. While some people discover their first gray hairs in their early 20s, some 50-year-olds still have their original hair color. When people develop gray hair before the age of 20, doctors refer to it as premature graying (canities praecox). On average, however, the first gray hairs appear between the ages of 30 and 50. Often, the hairs in the temple area turn gray first, but in men, the beard hairs are often affected first.

Gray hair as a symptom of a disease

Gray hair can also occur as part of some diseases (canities symptomatica). These include:

  • Pernicious anemia (anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency).
  • Cancers
  • Severe hormonal disorders
  • Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
  • Acute febrile infections

In addition, temporary graying of the hair may occur as a side effect when taking a drug containing the active ingredient hydroxychloroquine. This drug is used against malaria and autoimmune diseases. However, after stopping the drug, the original hair color usually returns.

Myth “gray overnight”

The rumor that you can get gray hair overnight if you are severely distressed persists. In fact, however, it is not possible to turn gray within such a short time. This is because the pigments in the hair cannot simply disappear. However, oxidative stress occurs in the body in extreme emotional stress situations. So-called free radicals are formed, which are suspected of damaging the pigment-forming cells. In this way, harmful influences such as cigarette smoke, UV light and some chemicals and cosmetics also seem to contribute to premature graying. However, it has not yet been scientifically proven that people with a carefree life really do turn gray earlier than others. Nevertheless, there are reports of individual cases where people suddenly wake up in the morning with gray hair. This very rare phenomenon can occur with circular hair loss (alopecia areata). In the early stages of this condition, pigmented hair falls out first in some patients, while hair that has already turned gray is more resistant.If this happens in a very short period of time, a patient may develop gray hair literally “overnight.”

Dyeing gray hair?

When the first strands turn gray, women in particular usually ask themselves whether they should cover the gray hair. About 70 percent of women then opt for a tint or coloration. But recently, gray hair is coming into fashion: more and more often, women deliberately refrain from coloring their gray hair. Shiny well-groomed, a silver-gray hair color can look very elegant. In the meantime, there are even special hair care series that are tailored to gray hair and are intended to emphasize the hair color.

Successfully cover gray hair

If you still prefer to cover your gray hair, you can choose between several options:

  • Intensive tint: An intensive tint is suitable for gray hair coverage when the proportion of gray hair does not yet exceed 50 percent. Unlike a simple tint, an intensive tint contains hydrogen peroxide as well as chemical substances that open the hair cuticle and allow the pigments to penetrate. Only in this way can gray hair accept the color. An intensive tint lasts about six to eight weeks and can achieve color results that are up to two shades darker than the natural hair color.
  • Coloration: In a coloration, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide is higher than in an intensive tint. Thus, even a high gray hair can be covered. In addition, the hair can be lightened and darkened by any number of shades. A coloration is durable and does not wash out.
  • Repigmentation: products for repigmentation form natural-like dyes in the hair with the help of oxygen. This is to recover the original hair color in several applications in a gentle and natural way. Repigmentation is permanently durable, but the principle does not work for light blond or reddish natural hair color.