Why hair turning gray? What determines graying? I’m sure at least once in life you have wondered this.
The reason for hair turning gray has connection with the production of pigment in hair follicles. This production process can be modified by several factors, one of them stress. To understand why hair turning gray, you first need to understand why hair grows and has its usual color.
In an article published by Business Insider it is explained that a person’s hair color is given pigment known as melanin. These pigments, which are composed of two amino acids (tyrosine and Phenylalanine), are produced by a specialized group of cells called melanocytes. The process is called melanogenesis.
Melanocytes are found in our whole body, and melanin given by them is the reason why skin, hair and our eyes have color. Melanocytes responsible for the color of the hair are found in hair follicle bulb.
Although there are differences between hair and skin color, there are only two main types of melanin – eumelanin, which produces dark brown and black colors, and pheomelanin, which produces blonde and red hair. The way in which these cells are combined depends on our hair color, and this is clearly dictated by genetic factors.
Once the specific combination of melanin was produced, colored particles are transferred to adjacent keratinocytes, which are all in the hair follicle bulbs. Keratinocytes produce keratin, the protein in the dead cells that make up our hair. After a keratinocyte dies, it keeps melanin that determines hair color.
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Why we lose color?
Gray hair is the result of lower amounts of melanin in keratin. The less melanin exists in keratin, the hair is gray. White hair has no melanin.
There are a number of processes that our hair may become gray. The most prominent is the natural graying that occurs as we get older. The more we age, our melanocytes become inactive, although still present.
Therefore, the amount of melanin pigment thus decreases gradually until it is produced at all, that is why older people have white hair. But do not worry too much if you appear a few gray hairs. Even stress can accelerate this process unfavorable hair beauty.
Why some people whiten faster than others?
The speed with which a person turning gray varies widely, depending on many factors, including genetic predisposition, exposure to chemicals and chronic stress levels recorded throughout life. Studies have shown that in the case of Caucasian race, about 50% of people a little bit gray in proportion of 50% by age of 50.
Source: www.businessinsider.com
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