1. Hair Can Turn Gray Overnight
Apart from stress, other factors like sudden panic, a bad experience of fright is said to cause a gray or white hair- turning this essentially into an overnight occurrence. But this is very untrue. Your hair will not turn gray or white overnight, the pigments will lose color gradually and appear gray or white which may seem to you like it appeared over-night.
2. Two Gray Hair Appears When You Pluck One
This is a very popular myth which is untrue. In fact you may actually get back your original hair colour you pluck it out due to a process called melanogenesis.
3. Washing Hair Everyday Prevents Gray Hair
There is currently no scientific evidence that proves this, but washing hair everyday can help with clearing dirt and other products that accumulate in your hair. This will prevent itchy scalp, dandruff and other hair and scalp problems.
4. Extreme Hair Colouring Causes Gray Hair
Untrue, but your hair will get stripped of its essential oils which can make it brittle, dry and prone to hair breakage. So apply good conditioners when you get your hair coloured.
5. Excessive Sun Exposure Causes Gray Hair
We now know that the sun is the leading cause of skin aging and wrinkles, but the same doesn’t apply to our locks. In 2009, European researchers finally discovered the true mechanism responsible for graying. Our hair cells naturally produce hydrogen peroxide. But when the cells produce too much, rather than turning us blonde as it would out of a bottle, it turns us gray.
Scientists say everyone’s hair cells produce some hydrogen peroxide, regardless of age. But as we get older, our cells aren’t able to break down the chemical as well.
Hydrogen peroxide is “a very concentrated form of oxygen. We need oxygen and sunlight to live, but they also bleach us. But wearing floppy hats and staying indoors cannot prevent graying, it is more of a cellular cause.
But, gray hair is more susceptible to sun damage, since it has less melanin. So, once you have gray hair wear a hat or apply a hair product containing SPF everyday to keep your hair healthy.
6. Menopause Causes Gray Hair
This is not so much to do with menopause but rather getting aged. Younger people have an enzyme called catalase that breaks down the hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. PC-KUS, once activated by exposure to sun, adds new catalase enzymes and converts hydrogen peroxide in the follicle to harmless water and oxygen, thereby blocking it from accumulating in the follicle and skin. The result- hair and skin regain their natural pigment. But that enzyme often stops doing its job as we age resulting in gray hair.
7. Stress Causes Gray Hair
Stress leads to a temporary hair loss condition called telogen effluvium. This condition causes the hair to fall out and when the hair grow back, they’re often less pigmented than the original, and can eventually turn gray. So stress contributes, but doesn’t actually cause gray hair.
8. Genetics Plays A Role in Gray Hair
Gray hair is based on genetics, although certain lifestyle habits can speed up when it shows up. So, if you’re wondering how soon you’ll gray, look at your parents for a pretty good indicator.
9. Ethnicity Plays a Role In Gray Hair
Yes, ethnicity does play a role in when you gray. According to the NIH, caucasians tend to gray earlier than Asians and blacks.
10. Lifestyle Choices Affect Gray Hair
Low levels B12 levels can cause lessening of hair pigments. Low levels of pantothenic acid in mice turned their hair gray, in a study by the Linus Pauling Institute. Also, a 2013 study found a link between smoking and graying before 30, so ditch that habit for healthier hair and body.
