Gray hair is a condition that affects many people eventually, but what causes gray hair? There are a number of myths out there, such as the idea that stress can cause your hair to turn grey and that plucking a grey hair can result in more growing in its place. Ahead, learn about the true causes of gray hair and how you might be able to avoid it.



Melanin
A deficiency of a pigment called melanin is what causes gray hair most often. As your body ages, it naturally begins to process less of this chemical in favor of defense mechanisms. Once you reach a certain point, there is such little melanin that your hair begins to lack color. On the other hand, young individuals have stem cells that constantly inject this pigment into the hair. By taking proper care of your body, you can prolong your supply of melanin and retain your natural hair color. From a technical perspective, this is what causes grey hair in aging individuals.

Vitamin B12
In a similar fashion, a lack of Vitamin B12 is also part of what causes gray hair. Your body produces a natural balance of different chemicals during your youth. As time passes, your skin requires a higher concentration of certain vitamins to maintain this balance. As you age, your body slows down on Vitamin B12 production, which can cause imbalances in other chemicals, such as homocysteine. This amino acid produces hydrogen peroxide naturally, which will often cause damage to your hair as well as bleaching it from the inside out. Vitamin B12 supplements could help fight the effects of increased homocysteine.

Smoking
Smoking is also part of what causes grey hair. Although researchers have been unable to pinpoint the exact link between smoking and grey hair, there is definitely a correlation between the two. When people think about what causes gray hair, smoking is not one of the first sources. Nevertheless, individuals under the age of 30 who smoke cigarettes have a much higher chance of developing grey hair sooner than their non-smoking peers.

Obesity
To determine what causes grey hair, scientists have also conducted studies about weight. They discovered that overweight men and women are more likely to have the bone condition osteopenia, which also causes grey hair. In addition, abnormal metabolisms can offset the body's natural cycles and trigger premature aging. Unfortunately, even with weight loss, it is incredibly difficult to reverse the process of osteopenia or premature aging.

Hydrogen peroxide
Bleach contains a moderate dosage of hydrogen peroxide. This is what causes grey hair, and although small amounts are harmless, you should be careful in the long run. Prolonged exposure to hydrogen peroxide can speed up the aging process and turn your hair grey. When it comes to grey hair, even these seemingly minor points of contact can make a difference.

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