Why do hairs turn gray? Understanding the reason behind the loss of color in the hair follicles may help determine a way to reduce the problem in some cases. Scientific American explores this topic in-depth, offering fascinating insight into the condition commonly associated with aging.
Hair Pigments
Just as skin has pigmentation, pigments determine the color of the hair. The pigments in hair are called melanin, the same designation used for skin pigments. The pigments are made by a melanocyte cells that exists in the epidermis and in the hair bulb. There are two basic types of pigments:
• Pheomelanin is a red-yellow pigment.
• Eumelanin is black or dark brown.
The melanocyte cells move the colored pigments from the epidermis. They do this by joining with keratinocytes, cells in the epidermis. Keratinocytes are important components in the producing hair’s main component, a protein called keratin.
Keratinocytes do not live forever. They die in the hair shaft while holding on to the melanin. The color of the hair is contained in dead karatinocytes that have passed through their life cycles. This is the visible color in the hair.
What is Gray Hair
What is gray hair? It is hair that does not contain enough melanin to produce a visible color. Hair that contains no melanin at all appears white. The rate at which hair loses its melanin depends on the person’s genetic make-up. Some people experience color loss in their 20s while others may not lose hair color until they older than 50 years.
Scientists do not know exactly why the pheomelaning and eumelanin pigments stop producing color. When a person first begins turning gray, the melanocyte cells are present but they are inactive. Gradually, the melanocytes drop in number.
Home Remedies for Premature Graying Hair
Since no one really knows why the graying occurs, it isn’t likely that any real cures for gray hair exists. In some cases, an autoimmune disorder can lead to hair color loss, but this is rare and graying hair is not a reason for concern about overall health. However, it is always best to discuss home remedies for premature graying hair with your physician.
Home remedies include:
• Indian gooseberry is a hair tonic is made from gooseberry fruit that is dried and boiled with coconut.
• Curry leaves as a dietary supplement is believed to promote pigmentation. Some use curry in hair tonics.
• Amaranth juice is thought to retain color while promoting growth.
• Butter massaged into the hair’s roots may prevent graying, according to some.
• Almond oil massaged in the scalp is another tonic for graying hair.
Nutrition can play a role as well. Some believe that a healthy diet that is rich in nutrients naturally prevents hair from going grey. None of the approaches have any clinical backing but if graying hair is troublesome for you, beginning with a diet that is nutrition-dense is a great start to addressing the graying problem.
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