"These Three Reasons Might Explain Why Your Hair Is Turning Gray" - Korin Miller
Gray hairs are uncommon for women in their twenties and thirties, so it’s natural that you might start to panic if you spot some. Unfortunately, premature grays happen and there are a few reasons for them. “Gray hair is caused by lack of melanin pigment in hair follicles,” said Gary Goldenberg, MD, assistant professor of dermatology and pathology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and director of the dermatology faculty practice at the Mount Sinai Hospital. The follicles still have a normal number of melanocytes, but these cells stop working over time, and the hair turns gray or white. It’s not super common to go gray at a young age since gray hair usually follows the 50/50 rule; Dr. Goldenberg said 50 percent of the population will go gray by 50 years old. But again, gray hair happens in younger people too, genetics play a big role, said Joshua Zeichner, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at the Mount Sinai Hospital. “If your mom or dad developed early gray hairs, you likely will too,” he added.
- Gary Goldenberg, MD, Assistant Professor, Dermatology, Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Director, Dermatology Faculty Practice, The Mount Sinai Hospital
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, Assistant Professor, Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Director, Cosmetic and Clinical Research in Dermatology, The Mount Sinai Hospital