In our organism there are cells that we call melanocytes, responsible for the production of a protein called melanin. THE melanin it is responsible for protecting our skin from ultraviolet radiation, and for coloring our skin and hair.
The number of melanocytes is the same in all people, what changes is the size, shape, disposition and amount of melanin that's inside. How much more melanin there is inside the melanocyte, the darker the person's hair and skin will be. You melanocytes they are cells that do not multiply, and their death is already genetically programmed.
As we age, the hair strands whiten due to the lack of melanin
When the person starts to age, the melanocytes they also age and, consequently, they lose the ability to produce melanin. With this, the hair that previously had color because of the melanin, they start to lose it for lack of that same protein.
Some people have white hair when young for genetic reasons
But why do some people who are still young already have some white hairs?
This is because these people already have a genetic predisposition, that is, if their father or mother showed white hairs when young, you will have a very good chance of showing them also when young.
Some people think that stress can cause gray hair to appear, but there is no scientific study to support this.
Paula Louredo
Graduated in Biology
