Does Stress Affect the Color of Hair?

Stress is commonly considered a major cause of graying hair.

It is commonly thought that stress can cause a person's hair to lose color and turn gray. Politicians and people in high-pressure jobs often turn prematurely gray at a greater-than-average rate.

"Gray" Hair

Gray or white hair is actually clear as it lacks any pigment; as the light hits hair it gains the appearance of being gray.

Scientific Evidence

Hair color is determined by pigment.

In July 2009, scientists at Kanazawa University released research indicating that stress does result in prematurely gray hair. They found that stress damaged stem cells. Stem cells supply melanocytes, which are the cells responsible for the pigment that defines the color of hair follicles; therefore, if these are damaged, the color of the hair is reduced and eventually lost.

Other Causes of Gray Hair

Gray hair can occur naturally as a result of aging, as the body stops producing melanocytes. Medical conditions such as diabetes, albinism, pernicious anemia and malnutrition can also result in the premature graying of hair. In 1996 the British Medical Journal reported that people who smoked were four times more likely to develop gray hair than non-smokers.

References

• Hair Science: Going Gray.
• The Telegraph: Gray Hair is a Sign of Stress.
• British Medical Journal: Prematur Gray Hair and Hair Loss Among Smokers.

Resources

• Scientific American: Fact or Fiction Stress Causes Gray Hair