The Times Australia
Health

.
The Times Real Estate

.

Is stress turning my hair grey?

  • Written by Theresa Larkin, Associate Professor of Medical Sciences, University of Wollongong

When we start to go grey depends a lot on genetics[1].

Your first grey hairs usually appear[2] anywhere between your twenties and fifties. For men, grey hairs normally[3] start at the temples and sideburns. Women tend to start greying on the hairline, especially at the front.

The most rapid greying[4] usually happens between ages 50 and 60. But does anything we do speed up the process? And is there anything we can do to slow it down?

You’ve probably heard that plucking, dyeing and stress can make your hair go grey – and that redheads don’t. Here’s what the science says.

What gives hair its colour?

Each strand of hair is produced by a hair follicle, a tunnel-like opening in your skin. Follicles contain two different kinds of stem cells[5]:

  • keratinocytes, which produce keratin[6], the protein that makes and regenerates hair strands
  • melanocytes, which produce melanin[7], the pigment that colours your hair and skin.

There are two main types[8] of melanin that determine hair colour[9]. Eumelanin is a black-brown pigment and pheomelanin is a red-yellow pigment.

The amount of the different pigments[10] determines hair colour. Black and brown hair has mostly eumelanin, red hair has the most pheomelanin, and blonde hair has just a small amount of both.

An older woman with white hair eats an ice cream.
Reducing stress and eating well may help prevent going grey prematurely. Iryna Inshyna/Shutterstock[11]

So what makes our hair turn grey?

As we age, it’s normal for cells to become less active. In the hair follicle, this means stem cells produce less melanin – turning our hair grey – and less keratin, causing hair thinning and loss.

As less melanin is produced, there is less pigment to give the hair its colour. Grey hair has very little melanin, while white hair has none left.

Unpigmented hair looks grey[12], white or silver because light reflects off the keratin, which is pale yellow.

Grey hair is thicker, coarser and stiffer than hair with pigment. This is because the shape of the hair follicle becomes irregular[13] as the stem cells change with age.

Interestingly, grey hair also grows faster than pigmented hair, but it uses more energy[14] in the process.

Can stress turn our hair grey?

Yes, stress can cause your hair to turn grey[15]. This happens when oxidative stress[16] damages hair follicles and stem cells and stops them producing[17] melanin.

Oxidative stress is an imbalance of too many damaging free radical chemicals and not enough protective antioxidant chemicals in the body. It can be caused by[18] psychological or emotional stress as well as autoimmune diseases.

Environmental factors[19] such as exposure to UV and pollution, as well as smoking and some drugs, can also play a role.

Melanocytes are more susceptible to damage[20] than keratinocytes because of the complex steps in melanin production. This explains why ageing and stress usually cause hair greying before hair loss.

Scientists have been able to link less pigmented sections of a hair strand to stressful events in a person’s life[21]. In younger people, whose stems cells still produced melanin, colour returned to the hair after the stressful event passed.

4 popular ideas about grey hair – and what science says

1. Does plucking a grey hair make more grow back in its place?

No. When you pluck a hair, you might notice a small bulb at the end that was attached to your scalp. This is the root[22]. It grows from the hair follicle.

Plucking a hair pulls the root out of the follicle. But the follicle itself is the opening in your skin and can’t be plucked out. Each hair follicle can only grow a single hair.

It’s possible frequent plucking could make your hair grey earlier[23], if the cells that produce melanin are damaged or exhausted from too much regrowth.

2. Can my hair can turn grey overnight?

Legend says Marie Antoinette’s hair went completely white[24] the night before the French queen faced the guillotine – but this is a myth.

Painted portrait of Marie Antoinette with elaborate grey hairstyle.
It is not possible for hair to turn grey overnight, as in the legend about Marie Antoinette. Yann Caradec/Wikimedia, CC BY-NC-SA[25][26]

Melanin in hair strands is chemically stable, meaning it can’t transform instantly.

Acute psychological stress does rapidly deplete melanocyte stem cells in mice[27]. But the effect doesn’t show up immediately. Instead, grey hair becomes visible as the strand grows – at a rate of about 1 cm per month[28].

Not all hair[29] is in the growing phase at any one time, meaning it can’t all go grey at the same time.

3. Will dyeing make my hair go grey faster?

This depends on the dye[30].

Temporary and semi-permanent dyes should not cause early greying because they just coat the hair strand without changing its structure. But permanent products cause a chemical reaction with the hair, using an oxidising agent such as hydrogen peroxide.

Accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and other hair dye chemicals[31] in the hair follicle can damage[32] melanocytes and keratinocytes, which can cause greying and hair loss.

4. Is it true redheads don’t go grey?

People with red hair also lose melanin as they age, but differently to those with black or brown hair.

This is because the red-yellow and black-brown pigments are chemically different.

Producing the brown-black pigment eumelanin is more complex and takes more energy[33], making it more susceptible to damage.

Producing the red-yellow pigment (pheomelanin) causes less oxidative stress[34], and is more simple. This means it is easier for stem cells to continue to produce pheomelanin, even as they reduce their activity with ageing.

With ageing, red hair tends to fade into strawberry blonde and silvery-white. Grey colour is due to less eumelanin activity, so is more common in those with black and brown hair.

Your genetics determine when you’ll start going grey. But you may be able to avoid premature greying by staying healthy, reducing stress and avoiding smoking, too much alcohol and UV exposure.

Eating a healthy diet[35] may also help because vitamin B12, copper, iron, calcium and zinc all influence melanin production and hair pigmentation[36].

References

  1. ^ genetics (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  2. ^ usually appear (elifesciences.org)
  3. ^ normally (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  4. ^ rapid greying (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  5. ^ stem cells (www.sciencedirect.com)
  6. ^ keratin (my.clevelandclinic.org)
  7. ^ melanin (my.clevelandclinic.org)
  8. ^ two main types (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  9. ^ determine hair colour (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  10. ^ amount of the different pigments (theconversation.com)
  11. ^ Iryna Inshyna/Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  12. ^ looks grey (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  13. ^ irregular (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  14. ^ uses more energy (elifesciences.org)
  15. ^ cause your hair to turn grey (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  16. ^ oxidative stress (faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  17. ^ stops them producing (www.frontiersin.org)
  18. ^ caused by (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  19. ^ Environmental factors (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  20. ^ more susceptible to damage (elifesciences.org)
  21. ^ stressful events in a person’s life (elifesciences.org)
  22. ^ root (my.clevelandclinic.org)
  23. ^ grey earlier (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  24. ^ completely white (www.healthline.com)
  25. ^ Yann Caradec/Wikimedia (commons.wikimedia.org)
  26. ^ CC BY-NC-SA (creativecommons.org)
  27. ^ in mice (www.nature.com)
  28. ^ about 1 cm per month (www.medicalnewstoday.com)
  29. ^ Not all hair (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  30. ^ depends on the dye (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  31. ^ other hair dye chemicals (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  32. ^ can damage (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  33. ^ takes more energy (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  34. ^ less oxidative stress (www.sciencedirect.com)
  35. ^ a healthy diet (www.healthline.com)
  36. ^ influence melanin production and hair pigmentation (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

Read more https://theconversation.com/is-stress-turning-my-hair-grey-239100

The Times Features

Itinerary to Maximize Your Two-Week Adventure in Vietnam and Cambodia

Two weeks may not seem like much, but it’s just the right time for travelers to explore the best of Vietnam and Cambodia. From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the magnificent te...

How to Protect Your Garden Trees from Wind Damage in Australia

In Australia's expansive landscape, garden trees hold noteworthy significance. They not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of our homes but also play an integral role in the local...

Brisbane Homeowners Warned: Non-Compliant Flexible Hoses Pose High Flood Risk

As a homeowner in Brisbane, when you think of the potential for flood damage to your home, you probably think of weather events. But you should know that there may be a tickin...

Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo: Nourish and Revitalize Your Hair

Are you ready to transform your hair from dull and lifeless to vibrant and full of life? Look no further than the luxurious embrace of Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo! In a...

Building A Strong Foundation For Any Structure

Building a home or commercial building can be very exciting. The possibilities are endless and the future is interesting. You can always change aspects of the building to meet the ...

The Role of a Family Dentist: Why Every Household Needs One

source A family dentist isn’t like your regular dentist who may specialise in a particular age group and whom you visit only when something goes wrong. A family dentist takes proa...

Times Magazine

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

How AI-Driven SEO Enhancements Can Improve Headless CMS Content Visibility

Whereas SEO (search engine optimization) is critical in the digital landscape for making connections to content, much of it is still done manually keyword research, metatags, final tweaks at publication requiring a human element that takes extensiv...

Crypto Expert John Fenga Reveals How Blockchain is Revolutionising Charity

One of the most persistent challenges in the charity sector is trust. Donors often wonder whether their contributions are being used effectively or if overhead costs consume a significant portion. Traditional fundraising methods can be opaque, with...

Navigating Parenting Arrangements in Australia: A Legal Guide for Parents

Understanding Parenting Arrangements in Australia. Child custody disputes are often one of the most emotionally charged aspects of separation or divorce. Parents naturally want what is best for their children, but the legal process of determining ...

Blocky Adventures: A Minecraft Movie Celebration for Your Wrist

The Minecraft movie is almost here—and it’s time to get excited! With the film set to hit theaters on April 4, 2025, fans have a brand-new reason to celebrate. To honor the upcoming blockbuster, watchfaces.co has released a special Minecraft-inspir...

The Ultimate Guide to Apple Watch Faces & Trending Wallpapers

In today’s digital world, personalization is everything. Your smartwatch isn’t just a timepiece—it’s an extension of your style. Thanks to innovative third-party developers, customizing your Apple Watch has reached new heights with stunning designs...

LayBy Shopping