Grey hair stress or genes?

I went through a very emotionally stressful period about 2 years ago, and although I had quite a few grey hairs already, in a period of approximately 3 months, the entire sides of my head turned white grey and I have a stripe at the front. I dye my hair so it's not too much of an issue. I'm 27 - was just wondering if there's any truth behind the thought that stress can make you grey... Or whether it's a genetic thing.

Thank goodness for hair dye is all I can say!! :-)

Grey hair stress or genes?

here comes the science....

Hair is given it's pigment by tiny cells called Melanocytes, they produce the pigment molecules (called melanin) which give hair it's colour, As the hair is grows the molecules are included. When the melanocytes stop working/producing pigment the hair grows without it and therefore is colourless (appearing grey/white).

Melanocytes can stop working for a number of reasons....

1)genetic factors - I had a 14 yr old mate at school who suddenly went completely white for no apparent reason.

2)age - this tends to be a simple case of the body wearing out and is generally 'pre programmed', in the same way as the age that men start to loose their hair is.

3)stress - a bad shock or prolonged stress can make them stop working - either temporarily or permanently, as the body redirects it's energies to seemingly more important jobs - like staying alive.

As to whether the colour will come back or not?

It depends on the severity of the effect that the stress had on you and whether it continues.

the colour may come back, if the body is healthy and the situation which caused the shock (and it's after effects- eg post traumatic stress) is resolved then the body may allow the functions it sees as 'trivia' like hair colouration to begin again.

The longer the melanocytes have been inactive the less likely the prognosis for them to start working again.

There is always hope though....

my father was very ill and went almost completely white, then after a few years of good health he has at least 75% less white hair now even though he's 10 years older!

And i agree - hair dye is a brilliant invention!

Grey hair stress or genes?

Not sure about stress but diet, definitely. How was your diet during the stressful time. My father had completely grey hair. He started a super new diet, lost heaps of weight, looks 10 years younger and his hair is 70% black again. I almost couldn't believe it but it's true. I also watched a TV show about a dog that had turned grey after it's owner died. It found a nice new owner and it turned completely black again.

Grey hair stress or genes?

Some people say stress and shock make you grey younger, others say the darker your hair the sooner it goes grey. My hair is black and I am grey since my early 20's. I am dying my hair black for 20 years. As you say thank god for hair dyes.閳煎妫嗛埣?br>Grey hair stress or genes?

Thinking about your situation I think There are reasons behind your grey hair which are :

1. Lack of Vitamins and minerals

or

2. You are feeling too stressed so calm down

Grey hair stress or genes?

I only started going grey when I was working in a really stressful environment!

Grey hair stress or genes?

Both sometimes I think. I had a few greys when I was in my twenties and they have increased slowly over the years, I'm in my forties now. This time last year I became seriously ill and sufferred from stress too and I was shocked how much quicker they seemed to come after that. I am quite dark so it's more noticeable, and they do say you go greyer quicker the darker you are. Although I don't think this is always the case as my hubbie has less grey than me and he's older and his hair's black, much darker than mine. His Dad had the same colouring and had very little grey when he died so there might be a genetic link there too. I agree with you thank goodness for hair dye but it is a bit of a nuisance when you keep having to have your roots done isn't it!

Grey hair stress or genes?

Usually it is genetic but if it is one solid streak, it could be stress.