Many people's hair turns gray too early! Gray hair caused by this factor may turn back to black

How old do you look?

It has a direct relationship with whether the hair is black or not.

When your hair turns white, your seniority doubles.

I wasn't that old.

They are regarded as uncles and aunts outside.

Why did my hair turn white so early?

Many people overlook an important factor

——Mental stress

It's really possible.

Whether your hair is black or not is directly related to the melanocytes (melanocytes for short) in your hair.

If the total amount of melanocyte stem cells decreases or is completely exhausted, or if the melanocytes function abnormally and the production of melanin decreases, the hair will no longer have melanocytes to color it and will turn white.

Image source: Photo Network

Normally, melanocyte stem cells decrease with age.

However, studies have shown that if the stress is too great, the sympathetic nerves will over-activate melanocyte stem cells , leading to excessive consumption of melanocyte stem cells!

So it is possible to grow gray hair if you are under stress for a long time.

What is the condition of gray hair caused by mental stress? Is it like what is shown on TV?

In fact, the growth of hair and the consumption of melanin both take time, and there is almost no possibility of turning your hair gray overnight.

If gray hair is caused by stress, usually the newly grown hair will turn white . Many people will find that one part of their hair is black and the other part is white , which may be caused by stress.

Image source: Photo Network

Current studies have shown that if the gray hair caused by stress is not serious and there are new black hair growing at the roots of the hair, there is still hope for the hair to turn black again. Maybe there is hope if you reduce the stress on yourself.

But if the situation is more serious, the melanin stem cells have "died collectively" , and the newly grown hair is only white and not black , and it may be impossible to turn the hair back black.

Staying up late for a long time and irregular work and rest

As mentioned earlier, sympathetic nerves may affect the proliferation and metabolism of melanocyte stem cells, and staying up late is one of the important factors that interfere with the sympathetic nerves.

Image source: Photo Network

Staying up late once in a while may not be a big deal, but staying up late for a long time will not only increase the probability of growing gray hair, but may also cause hair loss...

Lack of some nutrients

Lack of B vitamins, protein, tyrosine, or trace elements such as copper, zinc, and selenium may lead to the inability to synthesize melanin in the hair normally and may also cause premature growth of gray hair.

Genetic factors

If the elders in the family also have white hair at an early age, then the offspring may also inherit this gene, leading to the so-called "premature graying", where white hair begins to grow before the age of 25.

In addition, in life you will find that some people in their fifties or sixties still have few white hairs. This is due to genes and cannot be forced!

Disease factors

Diseases such as vitiligo, thyroid diseases (such as hyperthyroidism), impaired pituitary function, tuberculosis, alopecia areata, pernicious anemia , etc. can also cause gray hair.

If you find that your hair is abnormally white, it is best to go to the hospital for a detailed examination!

If dietary supplements mean eating foods like black sesame, which have the word "black" in their name and are black in appearance, it will not prevent your hair from turning gray.

If you want to maintain your hair and keep it black for a few more years, just remember these key points:

1. Learn to relieve stress by yourself, try more outdoor sports, explore your own hobbies, and relax your body and mind.

2. Stay up late less and ensure adequate sleep.

3. Eat a balanced diet and avoid a single diet.

4. If gray hair occurs rapidly and increases rapidly, you can go to the hospital for relevant examinations.

Don't easily believe in products or remedies that claim to make your hair black and thick. Adjust your physical condition and your hair will naturally become healthy.

Even if your hair turns white as you age, you don’t need to be too anxious. In fact, it will not have any impact on our lives.

Statement: This article is a medical-related educational popular science article. It does not involve specific treatment methods or medical behaviors and cannot replace hospital visits.

Experts who reviewed this article

References

[1] Fang Chengge, Ma Ling, Chen Diansong, et al. Scientific basis of hair and scalp care (VII) - causes of gray hair and methods of darkening hair [J]. Surfactant Chemical Industry (Chinese and English), 2023, 53(07): 748-756.

[2] Hu Ji. Stress causes hair to turn gray[J]. Chinese Science Foundation, 2021, 35(02): 247-248. DOI: 10.16262/j.cnki.1000-8217.2021.02.027.

[3] Li Na. Can eating black sesame make your hair darker? [J]. Family Medicine. Happy Health, 2018, (12): 81.

Content Production

Editor: Zhang Fuyao

Map: Eastern Zhou Dynasty