{"id":34676,"date":"2023-03-23T20:01:53","date_gmt":"2023-03-23T20:01:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=34676"},"modified":"2023-03-23T20:01:54","modified_gmt":"2023-03-23T20:01:54","slug":"why-does-hair-turn-gray","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/why-does-hair-turn-gray\/","title":{"rendered":"Can You Stop Hair from Turning Gray by Addressing the *Root* Causes?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Why does hair turn gray, and is it possible to stop (or at least delay) it? Find answers below, according to leading derms and research.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p>We all know aging is inevitable\u2014try as we might to delay it. Most of us start to see signs of aging all over\u2014in sun-damaged skin that leads to wrinkles, reduced muscle strength, and shifts in our sleeping patterns and energy levels. But one of the most obvious signs of aging is what happens to our hair: It turns gray.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>The medical term for going gray is canities. This refers to the diminishment of pigment in the hair shaft, causing it to acquire a gray or white color, explains <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdcsnyc.com\/provider\/brendan-camp-md\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Brendan Camp, MD<\/a>, a Manhattan-based dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. \u201cThe process by which hair grays or turns white as a result of aging is due to the loss of melanocyte stem cells within the hair follicle,\u201d he says. \u201cMelanocytes are cells that make pigment, which is incorporated into the hair shaft, giving hair its distinctive color.\u201d When these melanocytes start to reduce and their count is not replenished, the pigment in the hair shaft is also reduced, eventually causing the hair to turn white.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Also, you may have heard that you can exacerbate gray hair by plucking&#8230; but this is totally untrue. While plucking a hair can damage a follicle so that it may not grow back, doing so will not trigger the formation of additional gray hairs, says Dr. Camp. There are, however, some factors that <em>do<\/em> influence how early or to what extent one might go gray. It mostly has to do with genetics. For example, those of Asian and African descent often <a href=\"https:\/\/www.karger.com\/Article\/FullText\/504414#ref5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">go gray later in life<\/a> than Caucasians, explains stylist Penny James, IAT-certified trichologist and owner of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pennyjamessalon.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Penny James Salon<\/a> in New York City.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Yet there are other factors that need to be taken into account when it comes to premature graying. Here\u2019s a look at some of the most common causes of gray hair, and what you can do to potentially offset premature grays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-dominant-color=\"978279\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #978279;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/What-causes-gray-hair-The-Wellnest-by-HUM-Nutrition-jpg.webp\" alt=\"A woman with gray roots due to aging, genetics, stress, smoking, and more\" class=\"wp-image-34702 not-transparent\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-does-hair-turn-gray\">Why Does Hair Turn Gray?<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>Here are five key factors that cause hair to turn gray:<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-genetics\">1. Genetics<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>Again, your genes have a lot to do with whether or not you\u2019ll go gray\u2014and how early. In addition to your ethnic background, you may have a certain gene known as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/gene\/3662\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF 4)<\/a>, which may help to regulate melanin production. Additionally, certain genetic conditions may be associated with premature graying. \u201cThose who have a history of eczema or asthma are more likely to experience premature graying,\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdcsnyc.com\/provider\/marisa-k-garshick-md\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD<\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist at Medical Dermatology &amp; Cosmetic Surgery (MDCS) in New York City.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-stress\">2. Stress<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>Though more research is needed, stress may contribute to premature graying. \u201cStress leads to oxidative damage, which can lead to damage to the pigment-producing cells, leading to less melanin being produced,\u201d explains Dr. Garshick. One study published in the journal <em>Nature<\/em> was able to support this theory by showing that a stress response in mice <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31969699\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">led to a decrease in melanocyte stem cells<\/a>, which can lead to graying.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-autoimmune-conditions\">3. Autoimmune Conditions<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>A host of autoimmune conditions may make you more susceptible to going gray sooner. With any manifestation of autoimmunity, your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/how-the-immune-system-works\/\">immune system<\/a> is essentially attacking itself. With certain hair- and skin-related conditions such as vitiligo and alopecia, it can attack the cells on the scalp, thus <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3746220\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reducing the pigment<\/a> and causing hair to turn gray.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-vitamin-deficiencies\">4. Vitamin Deficiencies<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>Gray hair may also be the result of being deficient in certain nutrients\u2014namely <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/vitamin-b12-deficiency-signs\/\">vitamin B12<\/a>. Individuals <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/vitamin-b12-deficiency-signs\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\">lacking B12<\/a> in large amounts &#8220;have been shown to be more likely to experience premature graying, also suggesting that maintaining adequate B12 may help to [offset] premature graying,\u201d says Dr. Garshick.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-smoking\">5. Smoking<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>We all know smoking is far from healthy, but perhaps you never associated it with going gray early. One study published in the <em>Indian Dermatology Online Journal<\/em> showed this connection. It found that smokers were at a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3673399\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">greater risk of premature graying<\/a> than nonsmokers. Dr. Garshick notes that smoking increases your exposure to oxidative stress, which can then lead to reduced pigment in the hair follicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div  class=\"related-block bg-lighter -mx-4 md:mx-0 p-4 md:p-6 grid grid-cols-2 gap-4 sm:gap-6 my-10\">\n\t<div class=\"col-span-2 text-xs font-semibold uppercase\">Related Stories<\/div>\n\t\n<article><a class=\"flex flex-col sm:flex-row group !no-underline\" href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/how-to-get-shiny-hair\/\">\n<div class=\"aspect-square bg-lighter mb-4 sm:mb-0 sm:mr-4 w-full sm:w-20 sm:shrink-0\">\n\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"120\" height=\"120\" src=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/how-to-get-shiny-hair-1-jpg-120x120.webp\" class=\"object-cover w-full block h-full transition-opacity group-hover:opacity-80 !mb-0 not-transparent wp-post-image\" alt=\"how to get shiny hair\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/how-to-get-shiny-hair-1-jpg-120x120.webp 120w, https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/how-to-get-shiny-hair-1-jpg-245x245.webp 245w, https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/how-to-get-shiny-hair-1-jpg-302x302.webp 302w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 120px) 100vw, 120px\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" data-dominant-color=\"ad9f98\" style=\"--dominant-color: #ad9f98;\" \/><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"text-xs sm:text-base line-clamp-3 font-semibold group-hover:text-primary\">The Best Shiny Hair Hacks, According to Stylists<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/a><\/article>\n\n<article><a class=\"flex flex-col sm:flex-row group !no-underline\" href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/scalp-detox\/\">\n<div class=\"aspect-square bg-lighter mb-4 sm:mb-0 sm:mr-4 w-full sm:w-20 sm:shrink-0\">\n\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"120\" height=\"120\" src=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/GettyImages-1135687271-jpg-120x120.webp\" class=\"object-cover w-full block h-full transition-opacity group-hover:opacity-80 !mb-0 not-transparent wp-post-image\" alt=\"Scalp Detox\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/GettyImages-1135687271-jpg-120x120.webp 120w, https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/GettyImages-1135687271-jpg-245x245.webp 245w, https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/GettyImages-1135687271-jpg-302x302.webp 302w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 120px) 100vw, 120px\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" data-dominant-color=\"cfc0b0\" style=\"--dominant-color: #cfc0b0;\" \/><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"text-xs sm:text-base line-clamp-3 font-semibold group-hover:text-primary\">I Tried a Scalp Detox\u2014Here\u2019s What Happened<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/a><\/article>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-can-you-stop-your-hair-from-graying\">Can You Stop Your Hair from Graying?<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>You can\u2019t control everything, especially in regards to aging. After all, aging is the number one cause of gray hair. However, you may be able to reduce your exposure to certain elements that may exacerbate your grays.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>A great place to start is your diet. \u201cEnsuring that your diet includes antioxidant foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, olive oil, fish, and green tea may help with graying,\u201d says Dr. Camp.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s also a good idea to curb your lifestyle habits to make sure you\u2019re not doing anything that could expedite the growth of grays, such as smoking. \u201cIf you are a smoker, stop smoking because of the oxidative damage it causes on many parts of the body, including hair follicles,\u201d Dr. Camp adds.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Excessive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/long-term-effects-of-alcohol\/\">alcohol<\/a> intake may also lead to early grays. One study published in the <em>International Journal of Trichology<\/em> suggested that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6290285\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">maintaining a normal weight, following a proper diet, and reducing alcohol consumption<\/a> may help to offset graying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div  class=\"products-block -mx-4 md:mx-0 my-10\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/product\/39\/hair-strong-gummies\" class=\"text-xs text-dark hover:!text-dark flex items-center border border-light rounded p-4 group !no-underline mb-4 relative pb-16 sm:pb-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"shrink-0 mr-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.humnutrition.com\/assets\/04f07230-7dfd-11f0-9f03-1b7d6adea7ad.png\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" class=\"object-cover transition-opacity group-hover:opacity-80 !mb-0\" alt=\"Hair Strong Gummies\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grow pr-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"mb-2 flex flex-col sm:flex-row sm:items-center divide-x-0 sm:divide-x divide-light text-sm\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pt-1 pr-2 flex\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex mr-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"mr-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\"><path d=\"m11.532 4.697 4.353.663c.36.053.664.316.828.64.066.397 0 .791-.288 1.06l-3.157 3.193.745 4.581a1.01 1.01 0 0 1-.39.978c-.3.188-.698.25-1.022.072l-3.888-2.14-3.889 2.14c-.327.178-.724.116-1.024-.072a1.008 1.008 0 0 1-.388-.978l.745-4.581L1 7.06C.713 6.79.646 6.397.713 6c.162-.324.464-.587.827-.64l4.35-.663L7.842.563c.16-.344.5-.563.87-.563.372 0 .711.219.872.563z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"mr-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\"><path d=\"m11.532 4.697 4.353.663c.36.053.664.316.828.64.066.397 0 .791-.288 1.06l-3.157 3.193.745 4.581a1.01 1.01 0 0 1-.39.978c-.3.188-.698.25-1.022.072l-3.888-2.14-3.889 2.14c-.327.178-.724.116-1.024-.072a1.008 1.008 0 0 1-.388-.978l.745-4.581L1 7.06C.713 6.79.646 6.397.713 6c.162-.324.464-.587.827-.64l4.35-.663L7.842.563c.16-.344.5-.563.87-.563.372 0 .711.219.872.563z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"mr-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\"><path d=\"m11.532 4.697 4.353.663c.36.053.664.316.828.64.066.397 0 .791-.288 1.06l-3.157 3.193.745 4.581a1.01 1.01 0 0 1-.39.978c-.3.188-.698.25-1.022.072l-3.888-2.14-3.889 2.14c-.327.178-.724.116-1.024-.072a1.008 1.008 0 0 1-.388-.978l.745-4.581L1 7.06C.713 6.79.646 6.397.713 6c.162-.324.464-.587.827-.64l4.35-.663L7.842.563c.16-.344.5-.563.87-.563.372 0 .711.219.872.563z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"mr-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\"><path d=\"m11.532 4.697 4.353.663c.36.053.664.316.828.64.066.397 0 .791-.288 1.06l-3.157 3.193.745 4.581a1.01 1.01 0 0 1-.39.978c-.3.188-.698.25-1.022.072l-3.888-2.14-3.889 2.14c-.327.178-.724.116-1.024-.072a1.008 1.008 0 0 1-.388-.978l.745-4.581L1 7.06C.713 6.79.646 6.397.713 6c.162-.324.464-.587.827-.64l4.35-.663L7.842.563c.16-.344.5-.563.87-.563.372 0 .711.219.872.563z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"mr-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\"><path d=\"m8.713 3 1.54 3.61 3.46.58L11.207 10l.588 4-3.082-1.878zm4.555 7.253 3.157-3.193c.288-.269.354-.663.288-1.06-.164-.324-.467-.587-.828-.64l-4.353-.663L9.584.562A.965.965 0 0 0 8.713 0a.965.965 0 0 0-.871.562L5.89 4.697l-4.35.663c-.363.053-.665.316-.827.64-.067.397 0 .791.287 1.06l3.157 3.193-.745 4.581a1.01 1.01 0 0 0 .388.978c.3.188.697.25 1.024.072l3.889-2.14 3.888 2.14c.324.178.721.116 1.021-.072a1.01 1.01 0 0 0 .391-.978z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t4.6\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pt-1 sm:pl-2 text-medium\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1211 Reviews\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"text-base font-semibold mb-1 group-hover:text-primary\">Hair Strong Gummies<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"mb-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclinically tested for hair growth (formerly Hair Sweet Hair)\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"absolute bottom-4 left-4 right-4 sm:bottom-0 sm:left-0 sm:right-0 sm:relative inline-flex justify-center bg-primary group-hover:bg-primary-light text-white rounded py-3 px-12 leading-none text-center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"pr-1.5 border-r border-primary-lightest\">$26<\/span><span class=\"pl-1.5\">SHOP NOW<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"self-start\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Supplementation may also play a fundamental role, especially when it comes to ensuring you\u2019re getting adequate nutrients. For example, HUM&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/product\/39\/hair-strong-gummies\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\">Hair Strong Gummies<\/a> contain a blend of hair fortifying nutrients\u2014including B12 (refer to Dr. Garshick&#8217;s callout on the vitamin&#8217;s influence on gray hair above). The hair supplement also includes <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/fo-ti-benefits\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\">Fo-Ti,<\/a> a revered plant in Traditional Chinese Medicine that has a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4657090\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">positive impact on gray hair<\/a> by maintaining your natural hair color and delaying the development of new grays.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Lastly, Dr. Camp recommends maintaining good health and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/mighty-night\/\">sleep<\/a> hygiene. \u201cExercising and getting enough sleep will keep your body healthy so that it can effectively address insults that can contribute to aging or graying hair,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div  class=\"cta-block -mx-4 md:mx-0 my-10 p-px md:rounded bg-white text-black relative  bg-no-repeat bg-cover aspect-[83\/48]\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/BlogBackground_Quiz.jpg);\" >\n\n\t<div class=\"p-4 sm:p-6 w-[70%] md:w-2\/3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"text-2xl md:text-3xl font-display font-bold uppercase\">Build Your Supplement Routine<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"btn btn-large btn-primary mt-4 md:mt-8 !no-underline\" href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/get_started\" target=\"_blank\">Take The HUM Quiz<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why does hair turn gray, and is it possible to stop (or at least delay) it? Find answers below, according to leading derms and research. We all know aging is inevitable\u2014try as we might to delay it. Most of us start to see signs of aging all over\u2014in sun-damaged skin that leads to wrinkles, reduced [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":78,"featured_media":34699,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_toc_level":"h2","_toc_min":2,"footnotes":""},"categories":[824],"tags":[678,22811,22810,683],"coauthors":[22201],"class_list":["post-34676","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hair","tag-aging","tag-fo-ti","tag-gray-hair","tag-vitamin-b12"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.2 (Yoast SEO v24.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Why Does Hair Turn Gray... And Can You Stop It? | HUM Nutrition Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Why does hair turn gray, and is it possible to stop (or at least delay) it? Discover the root causes of gray hair, plus derm-approved tips.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/why-does-hair-turn-gray\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Can You Stop Hair from Turning Gray by Addressing the *Root* Causes?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Why does hair turn gray, and is it possible to stop (or at least delay) it? 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