Why Do Hairs Turn Grey as We Age?
Age‐induced hair greying – the multiple effects of oxidative stress
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
As we get older, the cells that give hair its color get damaged by rust-like stuff in the body called oxidative stress. These cells need protectors like BCL-2 and catalase to survive, but those weaken over time.
Surprising Findings
Hydrogen peroxide builds up to millimolar levels in ageing hair follicles due to reduced catalase activity.
Most people think hydrogen peroxide is only used in hair bleach — but the body makes its own, naturally, and it accumulates enough to damage cells from within.
Practical Takeaways
Support your body’s antioxidant defenses through diet or topical products to potentially slow hair greying.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
As we get older, the cells that give hair its color get damaged by rust-like stuff in the body called oxidative stress. These cells need protectors like BCL-2 and catalase to survive, but those weaken over time.
Surprising Findings
Hydrogen peroxide builds up to millimolar levels in ageing hair follicles due to reduced catalase activity.
Most people think hydrogen peroxide is only used in hair bleach — but the body makes its own, naturally, and it accumulates enough to damage cells from within.
Practical Takeaways
Support your body’s antioxidant defenses through diet or topical products to potentially slow hair greying.
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Claims (3)
As we age, damage from oxidative stress can harm the cells that give hair its color, especially because the body’s natural antioxidants weaken over time — this leads to grey hair.
As we get older, the cells that give hair its color start to die off because of stress and lower levels of a protective protein, which is why hair turns gray and doesn’t grow back colored.
The pigment cells in your hair follicles can get damaged by normal sun exposure and the way they make color, especially as you get older, because their natural defenses weaken over time.