Why We Get Gray Hair?

Researchers have gotten down to the root of the mystery of why our hair turns grey. The colour of a person's hair is determined by stem cells that make and store pigments in the skin. These pigments produce the hair colour of blondes, brunettes and redheads. As we age, these pigments start to die off. A distinguished look might not set in so soon if it wasn't for the cells that produce hair-colour didn't start to place them in the wrong location, rendering it useless, and thus resulting in premature greying.

Studies have also been conducted on mice whose hairs have turned grey. As a result, further research has been performed by inspecting human scalps for a possible cause of premature greying. Unfortunately, any discoveries won't lead to the reversal of greying in human hair. However, there is the possibility of gaining a better understanding of melanoma, a form of skin cancer, which kills approximately 8,000 people annually.

Though not directly related, melanoma and grey hair fall under the same category. Pigment cells or otherwise called melanocytes give the hair its youthful colour when they work properly. As they die off or develop in the wrong part of the hair follicle, grey hair inevitably develops. Furthermore, melanocytes can go entirely the other way by multiplying out of control to form tumours of malignant melanoma.

Things that everyone should know about why our hair turns grey:

• The biggest culprit for getting grey hair is the normal ageing process. Like skin, as we age the texture of our hair changes too. Dermatologists have coined the phrase or rule that 50% of the people will have about 50% grey hair by the age of 50
   
• A person's ethnicity can make a difference in whether or not they will get grey hair. Scientists have yet to figure out why ethnicity determines the order:
  1. Caucasians, with redheads earliest of all
  2. Asians
  3. African-American
      
• Stress has an impact on our skin as well as hair issues. Think of those people who have had chemotherapy, lost all their hair and then grows back a different colour. Illness and stress play an important role in getting grey hair.
   
• Just like everything else, our lifestyle can make a difference. Certain low vitamin levels can be attributed to the loss of hair pigment. Selecting foods high in certain vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants may help to protect cells against toxins, thus preventing cancer, heart disease, other ailments and yes even grey hair.
   
• The myth that hair turns grey is only a myth. A single strand of hair grows for approximately 1 to 3 years at which time it is shed. When a new one grows, depending on your age will most likely be white. As hair regenerates it has to re-form pigment-forming cells and eventually they wear out.

The good news is that scientists are working hard on finding the cure and the prevention from grey hair.