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What causes gray hair?
USA Today • • health
Key Points:
- Gray hair occurs when melanin-producing cells in hair follicles stop regenerating after multiple hair growth cycles, leading to loss of pigment and the appearance of gray, silver, or white hair.
- Genetics play a major role in determining the age and extent of graying, but environmental factors such as pollution, smoking, nutrition, sleep, and stress also influence hair aging.
- There is currently no proven method to stop or reverse gray hair once it begins, though a diet rich in antioxidants may help manage oxidative stress linked to aging.
- Some research suggests that gray hair follicles might regain pigmentation under certain clinical treatments, but this is not widely established.
- Emerging studies indicate that younger generations like millennials and Gen Z may show signs of accelerated biological aging, potentially due to lifestyle factors such as longer work hours and poor diet.
