Is it true that if you pluck one gray hair, two more will appear in that same spot? Well, I can say that's happened to me...I just couldn't understand why I was starting to see gray curly strans sitting there, chilling, on the top of my head...I mean in my 50's, sure I can agree it's natural to happen, but I'm not 50!!! And I know I'm not alone here, there's some people out there that are sailing with me on the same boat.
So what is gray hair anyway? Everybody is different but the pigment of our hair is generated in the same way. Initially, hair is white. The cells in our hair follicles called “Melanocytes” generate pigments the main one being Melanin. This gives our hair its “Colour”. In general, the more melanin present, the darker the hair colour; the less melanin, the lighter the hair colour.
When these Melanocytes stop producing the pigment the result is a transparent hair. The transparent hair against your healthier darker hair gives the appearance of Gray hair. In reality the hair is not Gray but transparent. Some people start to gray in their early 20's or 30's; this is called premature graying. Heredity plays a major role in premature graying, if your mother or father had gray hair at a young age, than chances are you will too.
What else can cause gray hair?
- Thyroid disorders. Conditions such as Grave's disease, Hashimoto's disease, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism have been linked with premature gray hair.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia. It can be due to a diet low in vitamin B12. It can also occur if the stomach can't absorb vitamin B12.
- Vitiligo. A condition in which your skin loses melanocytes, resulting in very light patches of skin and possibly premature gray hair.
- Early menopause
- Smoking. Cigarette smoking has been linked to premature gray hair.
I also believe it to be a symptom of undergoing a weight of stress.
In traditional Chinese Medicine, premature gray hair reflects an underlying disturbance. Hair represents the quality of blood and strength of the kidneys.
Foods that are thought to strengthen the blood and kidneys are:
- Hijiki seaweed
- Blackstrap molasses
- Black sesame seeds
- Nettles
- Wheat grass
- Chlorophyll
Keep in mind though that consuming excessive amounts of these foods is not recommended. For example, excessive amounts of iodine (from seaweed) may increase the risk of developing thyroid problems, which itself is a cause of premature gray hair.
We should all embrace not try to erase, and recognize this as a sign of experience and wisdom :)
"Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life"
(Prov 16:31)
