The Greying Anatomy

Gone are the days when grey hairs were only to be seen on your 80-year-old grandparents. In this day and age even peeps still in high school have started experiencing premature greying. Fellow canities victim, Lakshika Pinto looks for the answers.

- Lakshika Pinto

We’ve all experienced that moment when we (or someone else) spot our first grey hair. For some, this is just another basic development that comes with time spent on Planet Earth, whilst for others it really is a matter of major concern. Premature greying is a real problem affecting several young women and men. Unless you’re keen on auditioning for the role of Storm in the next X-Men movie, premature greying is something that may really affect your self-esteem and sense of beauty. So many unanswered questions arise as we analyse our greying anatomy, so let’s break it down…

WHAT IS GREYING?

Colour in hair is not an integral element as our hair typically gets its hue from a particular pigment that creates the colour. Hair follicles contain pigmentation cells called melanin, and this melanin is responsible for giving hair its natural colour. The higher the melanin content, the darker the hair and vice versa. Hair starts going grey when these hair follicles stop producing melanin. The intensity of the colour decreases and eventually all colour is lost to the point where your mop turns completely white.

WHAT IS PREMATURE?

Generally, the average Asian is expected to start going grey once they hit their late 30s. However, trends have changed drastically over the past two decades or so. Lifestyle changes and environmental causes have all teamed up to result in greys even growing on teenagers’ scalps. Taking these facts into consideration, it’s no longer a big deal if you’re spotting silver strands all over your head as a woman in your 20s.

WHAT CAUSES PREMATURE GREYING?

Whilst the jury is still out on whether or not stress actually does play a role in stimulating premature greying, there are several other causes that come into play:

1. GENETICS