Although greying hair is a normal aspect of ageing, scientists and consumers have long been fascinated by the mechanics underlying this phenomenon. Recent research has demonstrated the function of melanocytes, a cell in the skin and eyes that produces and contains the pigment melanin, in this process. Continue reading to learn more about the intriguing scientific explanation for greying hair.
Melanocytes
By looking at two different types of melanocytes, we can determine how they influence the pigmentation of our hair. The first type is called differentiated melanocytes, which carry out most of the work when it comes to producing melanin. The other type is melanocyte stem cells, whose function is to replenish the differentiated melanocytes when they die off.
Specifically, through stress examination, stress solely affects the melanocyte stem cells, instantly killing them off. This disappearance means there is no replenishment of the differentiated melanocytes. Consequently, no melanin is produced, and as a result, the newly growing hair is grey rather than our normal colour.
Factors
Melanocytes can lose their lustre for a variety of reasons, not only ageing or stress. When hair goes through its normal cycle of dying and regenerating, it’s more likely to become grey starting around the age of 35 since your hair follicles create less pigment as they age. When this begins can depend in part on genetics. In addition to genetics, race and ethnicity are linked to the age at which hair turns grey; white people can grey up to ten years earlier than their Black counterparts.
In addition, a condition called Marie Antoinette syndrome – named after the 18th-century French queen – exists. During the French Revolution, her hair is said to have turned white overnight before she was sent to the guillotine at the age of 38.
Unfortunately, grey-shaming is part of a culture that tells women they mustn’t display any signs of ageing. Growing out to grey is a slow process, and so is changing society’s perceptions. Grey hair is a sign of ageing for women: that’s a biological fact. But we live a lot longer these days, and that changes how we should interpret signs of ageing. If you want to, there’s no reason you should feel pressured to hide your greying hair. Embrace your “wisdom highlights”!
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