Why does hair turn white? – GOOD SHAPE

The whitening, which consists of the whitening of the thread, is a natural and progressive phenomenon that occurs due to the decrease or loss of melanotic activity, the melanin-producing cells, according to Dr. Jaqueline Zmijevski, dermatologist by the Brazilian Society of Dermatology (SBD).

“Melanin is the pigment that gives color to skin and hair, and there are two main types: eumelanin, which gives brown or black color, and pheomelanin, responsible for yellow and reddish. Gray or white hairs have less or no melanin”, he says.

There are different reasons that can make some hairs, or possibly all, white. “The main one is genetics: science has already identified some genes involved in this complex process. It is known, for example, that half of the Caucasian population goes gray before the age of 50”, begins the doctor.

“Other possible explanations besides genetics are health problems: vitamin B12 deficiency (common in vegetarian diets) and thyroid disease,” he adds.

In addition, some habits may favor the early appearance of gray hairs, including smoking, as there are studies that show that smokers are 2.5 times more likely to have gray hair before the age of 30. Stress is also a factor that can interfere with the melanin in the hair.

“Another curiosity is the difference between gray men and women. In women, the first whites appear in the capillary implantation region, right in front. In men, however, the temples, sides, are usually the first area affected”, points out the specialist.

In the case of individuals younger than 20 years old who already have white hairs, gray hairs can be considered precocious.

“It probably happens due to an exhaustion of the melanocyte reservoir or some alteration in cell activation or migration, generally aggravated by environmental factors, such as pollution and intense sun exposure or psychological stress. At this age, it is important to undergo an evaluation to exclude some rare syndromes that lead to early gray hairs, such as Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada, Waardenburg and even vitiligo on the scalp”, reports Dr. Jacqueline.

According to the dermatologist, there is still no treatment for canicie. She points out that there are topical and oral actives that are being studied, but nothing with scientific proof that indicates its use only for this purpose. “For now, the way is to resort to traditional dyes and toners”, she points out.

“An important tip for anyone who wants to take on the gray for good is to invest in hydration and moisturizing, as white hair is more porous, brittle and dry. To remove the yellowish appearance, you can use tinting shampoos, those purple ones. But do not abuse it, restrict its use to once a week, or every 15 days, as they can dry out the hair even more”, concludes Dr. Jacqueline Zmijevski.