The Controversy Over Graying Hair: Facts and Myths

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Graying is age related. Everything starts to change in our bodies as we grow older and our hair follicles produce less melanin, the pigment that gives your hair its color. Then why do some of us prematurely gray? Well, the obvious reason is genetics. If one or both of your parents went gray when they were younger, it’s very likely that you will, too. But are there any other reasons one can have graying hair you ask? Apparently yes! If you want to delay the graying process for as long as possible avoid smoking. There have been proven studies that this habit can lead to premature graying. Other reasons cited are medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, and vitiligo. "Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition in which the cells that make pigment (melanocytes) are destroyed, resulting in patches of hair and skin that become white." On the reverse side, there are some wife's tales regarding premature graying that are not true, they are just myths. Although you may have heard otherwise, there isn’t any conclusive evidence showing that chronic stress gives you gray hair. According to research there is no direct connection, although many of our American Presidents would disagree. Another myth is plucking out gray hair results in two or more grey hairs coming back in its place. That is not true, but unfortunately, it will not eliminate that grey hair from growing back either. Finally, one who dyes their hair will damage and speed up the graying process. It may damage the hair but it will not cause your hair to gray sooner. Of course, you may want to keep that fact secret to convince your teenager from dying his hair blue. In closing, gray hair happens differently for every person, so just because your friend has greying hair it is something that will happen to you. So, now that you know a few facts how's your hair color doing? Sources- Hello Giggles and Huffington Post Photo-pinterest.com/Google images