Why do some people's hair turn white instead of gray?

Author: Edyth Wisoky  |  Last update: Monday, November 24, 2025

What Causes White Hair? "White hair is an abnormally light-colored strand of hair caused by a loss of pigment or melanin in the hair follicle," he said. "This condition is called leukotrichia and it usually happens when someone goes through extreme stress or illness that affects their production of melanin."

Why is my hair turning white and not gray?

Genetic factors, stress, hair dyes, and other factors may contribute. The human body has millions of hair follicles or small sacs lining the skin. The follicles generate hair and color or pigment cells that contain melanin. Over time, hair follicles lose pigment cells, resulting in white hair color.

What determines if your hair goes grey or white?

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 do some people get white hair and others gray?

The bottom line. When and how thoroughly your hair turns gray is influenced mostly by the genes you inherit from your parents. Though stress may play a role in the process, it would be more helpful to look to past generations rather than your current stress levels to help you predict when or if you'll go gray.

Which vitamin deficiency causes white 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.

Why Some People's Hair Turns Gray

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 you reverse grey white 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

What is the average age to start going grey?

Naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide can also build up in the hair, bleaching the color. Typically, White people start going gray in their mid-30s, Asian people in their late 30s, and Black people in their mid-40s. Half of all people have a significant amount of gray hair by the time they turn 50.

At what age does hair turn completely white?

Some people will begin to see their first gray hairs in their 20s. This is known as premature hair graying and can be caused by genetics and psychological stress. The most notable signs of graying tend to occur in the 30s and 40s and a significant, or full graying, starts around 50 years of age.

Is it okay to pluck white hair?

No, most experts agree that pulling out gray hair is an impulse best avoided. Though plucking white hairs may seem like a quick and easy solution to your haircare woes, repeated plucking can damage the hair follicle and potentially cause the hair to thin.

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.

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.

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 people with less gray hair live longer?

Results: We found no correlation between the mortality and the extent of graying of the hair, or baldness or facial wrinkles in either of the sexes, irrespective of age.

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.

How did Bryan Johnson reverse grey hair?

Johnson attributed his transformation to a multi-faceted regimen that includes nutritional support, topical applications, and light therapy. He emphasized the importance of taking proactive measures early to maintain a full head of hair.

At what age does a girl start ejaculating?

Results: Over a period of 18 months, 320 women from all over the world were included in the study (excluding women below the age of 18 years and double entries). The women's mean age was 34.1 years (±11.1) and their mean age at first ejaculation was 25.4 years. Most women ejaculate a few times a week.

Do old ladies lose pubic hair?

More than half of women deal with noticeable pubic hair loss as they age, says Dr. DePree.

Does pubic hair smell?

If you sense a little body odor, it's because your pubic hair is doing its job of trapping sweat, oil, and bacteria. To care for your pubic area, all you need to do is regularly rinse with water. Long story short, there is nothing dirty or unclean about pubic hair. There is no medical reason to remove it.

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