What determines if your hair goes grey or white?

Author: Miss Camylle Flatley Jr.  |  Last update: Thursday, July 24, 2025

New melanocytes are made from melanocyte stem cells that live within the hair follicle at the base of the hair strand. As we age, these stem cells gradually disappear. The hair that regrows from hair follicles that have lost melanocyte stem cells has less pigment and appears gray.

What determines gray or white hair?

The color of greying hair depends on the amount of melanin and the structure of the hair. Grey hair results from a mix of pigmented and non-pigmented (white) hairs, while white hair occurs when there is no melanin at all. The variation can be influenced by genetics, age, and environmental factors.

Why is my hair turning white instead of grey?

Melanin is responsible for all the natural colors of hair you see. When a human gets older, cells all around will die more quickly. This means that there will be less pigment cells to stain the hair. The result is that the hair becomes colorless, or grey/white.

What is the average age to start going grey?

Gray hair typically starts to appear in a person's mid-30s for Caucasians, late 30s for Asians, and late 40s for African Americans. However, the onset of gray hair can vary significantly based on genetics, lifestyle, and health factors.

Are white hairs caused by stress?

Stress has been shown to speed up signs of aging — including gray hair. When you're stressed, your body has a fight-or-flight response and releases a hormone called norepinephrine. This causes the melanocytes — the cells that produce melanin — to move out of your hair follicles.

Age isn't the only reason why hair starts to go gray

Can B12 reverse gray hair?

Premature graying may be reversed with vitamin B12 supplementation only if vitamin B12 deficiency is the cause. If you are graying due to other factors, such as genetics, zinc deficiency, and medications, your gray hair cannot be reversed.

Does white hair turn black again?

Can White Hair Turn Black Again? No, you can't reverse graying. Once the genes kick in and your hair turns white, the melanin that created the hair color is gone. "There's some evidence that graying caused by thyroid disease has the potential to be reversed with hormone replacement therapy," says Dr.

What nationality does not get gray hair?

Melanin is what gives your hair (and skin) its natural color. People of African descent, Thai, and Chinese people, go grey more slowly.

Can you reverse gray hair?

If the cause of greying is genetic, it is not possible to reverse the process, no matter what some marketers on the internet claim. In case of nutritional deficiencies and underlying medical conditions, you can gradually slow down or even reverse the process.

What vitamin deficiency causes grey hair?

Although the primary cause of premature hair graying (PHG) is considered to be genetic, certain environmental factors also play a role. Trace element deficiencies such as Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3, and calcium may also be associated with PHG.

At what age does pubic hair turn white?

In some individuals, the change in color of pubic hair may occur around the age of fifty, but it can happen earlier or later, depending on individual genetic predispositions and lifestyle factors.

Can a 70 year old not have grey hair?

We have previously published findings that, after the age of 50, humans are seldom with- out gray hair. At this age, around 50% of men and 30% of women are moderately or totally gray haired.

Do redheads go white or gray?

One of the many facts about redheads is that their hair will never turn grey. The pigment in their hair that causes it to be red will just fade over time, causing their hair to turn blonde or white, but never grey.

At what age do eyebrows turn grey?

Generally, people start seeing grey hairs appear around their forties and fifties, but some can experience greying as early as their twenties or thirties. Unfortunately, it is all down to genetics, so there's no way to predict when grey or white eyebrows will appear.

Do some people's hair never go grey?

More likely than not, at some point in your life, your hair will start to go gray. Some individuals can maintain hair color well into their older age, but most do not. Opinions about gray hair vary, but understanding why it happens can help change the narrative around gray hair. After all, it's a natural aging process.

What to eat to prevent white hair?

Incorporating specific foods into your diet can provide essential nutrients that support hair health and potentially delay the onset of premature greying.
  • Leafy Greens. ...
  • Berries. ...
  • Nuts and Seeds. ...
  • Fish. ...
  • Whole Grains. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Sweet Potatoes. ...
  • Greek Yoghurt.

What is the average age to go grey?

The average age of onset of hair graying appears to be mid- to late forties; however, this varies with race, with the average age for Caucasians being mid-thirties, that for Asians being late thirties, and that for Africans being mid-forties.

How to restore melanin in hair?

If you're looking at how to increase melanin in hair, you must include in your diet, melanin rich foods and foods that are rich in vitamins. o Vitamin A – stimulates the oil-producing glands in the hair follicle and keeps the hair moisturized. Found in carrots, kale, spinach and sweet potatoes.

What color cancels out gray hair?

What Color Cancels Out Gray Hair? You can use any color to cover gray hair, from copper reds to golden blonde tones, but if soft regrowth is your goal, consider working a shade that's similar in tone to silver hair.

Does caffeine cause gray hair?

While moderate caffeine consumption is generally safe, excessive intake may negatively impact hair health. Potential Effects of Caffeine on Hair 1. Hormonal Imbalance: Caffeine can disrupt hormonal balances, particularly affecting the thyroid gland. Hormonal changes can contribute to hair graying, thinning, or loss.

What is the difference between white hair and GREY hair?

Greying hair typically progresses gradually, with individual strands losing pigment over time. In contrast, white hair occurs when melanin production ceases altogether, resulting in hair that appears completely colorless.

Why is my gray hair turning black again?

That said, certain conditions may temporarily restore pigmentation. For example, if greying is caused by a vitamin deficiency, stress, or an underlying medical condition, addressing these issues may slow or even partially reverse greying. However, the complete reversal of naturally aged hair remains a challenge.

Can vitamin B12 stop gray hair?

A review of research suggests that proper supplementation may reverse premature graying in those who are deficient in certain nutrients, including iron, vitamin D, and vitamin B12.

Does lack of sleep cause white hair?

Disrupted sleep patterns can disturb melatonin production, affecting the balance of melanin in the hair follicles. Inflammatory Response: Poor sleep can trigger an inflammatory response in the body, potentially affecting the hair follicles and contributing to greying.

Which fruits increase melanin in hair?

Vitamin A, C and B12 are the most needed vitamins to increase the melanin production in your hair. Add citrus fruits like oranges, grapes, pineapple, and melon to your diet. Also eat vegetables like potatoes, carrots, beans, etc. Non vegetarians can try adding red meat, chicken liver, fish, and eggs to their diet.

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