Why does your hair turn grey when you get older?

Brainyblonde

The root of every strand of hair is surrounded by a tube of tissue under the skin that is called the hair follicle. Each hair follicle contains a certain number of pigment cells. These pigment cells continuously produce a chemical called melanin that gives the growing shaft of hair its color of brown, blonde, red, and anything in between. As we get older, the pigment cells in our hair follicles gradually die. When there are fewer pigment cells in a hair follicle, that strand of hair will no longer contain as much melanin and will become a more transparent color - like gray, silver, or white - as it grows. As people continue to get older, fewer pigment cells will be around to produce melanin. Eventually, the hair will look completely gray. http://kidshealth.com/kid/grownup/getting_older/gray_hair.html For the record, I will be the exception!!! LOL!!! Jul 31 06, 8:32 PM

peasypod

And, on another tangent, although related aspect: Quite often, players of rough sports (football, rugby) often tend to have grey (white) patches (usually singular patch) due to being struck by another player or by the ball involved. This is due to the force of the strike damaging the follicle and the pigment cells. I came across a number of male clients who didn't even know of their grey spot on the back of their heads. Jul 31 06, 9:21 PM

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