Going grey is a natural part of the aging process for most people. As we get older, the pigment cells in our hair follicles gradually lose their ability to produce melanin, the pigment that gives hair its natural color. This causes new hair strands to grow in lighter and more grey until eventually all hair turns completely white or grey.
When does greying start?
Greying can start as early as our 20s, though it more commonly begins in our 30s and 40s. According to research, 50% of people have at least some grey hair by the time they turn 50. The greying process then accelerates in our later years. By age 65, most Caucasians have at least 50% grey coverage. By age 80, the majority of Caucasians have more than 75% grey hair.
When greying starts and progresses can vary quite a bit from person to person based on genetics, ethnicity, stress levels, and other factors. People of Asian and African descent tend to grey later and have lower amounts of greying than Caucasians by age 50. Premature greying before age 30 also runs in some families.
When are most people completely grey?
While the greying process is gradual for most, there is usually an age range when the transition to completely grey hair occurs for the majority of people. According to studies, here is when most people reach complete greyness based on ethnicity:
| Ethnicity | Age Range of Complete Greyness |
|---|---|
| Caucasian | Mid 60s |
| Asian | Late 60s to Early 70s |
| African | Mid 70s |
As the table shows, most Caucasians complete the greying process in their mid-60s. For Asians, complete greyness typically occurs in the late 60s to early 70s. Africans grey the latest, with complete greyness usually occurring in the mid-70s.
Why the difference between ethnicities?
Genetics play a major role in the graying process. Certain ethnic groups carry genes that either predispose or protect them from going gray. People of Caucasian descent tend to have genes that provide less protection against graying. Genes commonly found in Asian and African ethnic groups help delay the graying process in those populations.
Other factors that influence greying
While genetics determine when most people will go completely grey, other factors can speed up or slow down the greying process. These include:
- Oxidative stress – Free radicals from factors like smoking, pollution, and sun exposure can increase the rate of melanin depletion and graying.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency – Low levels of this vitamin important for melanin production can contribute to faster greying.
- Stress – High levels of physical or emotional stress have been linked to premature graying.
- Medical conditions – Grave’s disease, vitiligo, and alopecia areata are examples of autoimmune disorders associated with increased greying.
- Smoking – Chemicals from smoking can damage melanin-producing cells, accelerating greying.
- Gender – Men tend to gray earlier and more extensively than women.
Can greying be prevented or reversed?
While greying is a natural part of aging, some treatments claim to prevent or reverse graying. Here are some of the most commonly marketed approaches:
Hair dyes
Hair dyes and colorants provide a temporary way to cover existing gray strands. However, they don’t prevent new gray hair growth. Frequent dyeing also damages hair over time. An alternative is wearing wigs or hair extensions.
Nutritional supplements
Some supplements aim to support melanin production by providing copper, vitamin B complex, catalase, and other nutrients involved in melanogenesis. Results on preventing or reversing greying are inconclusive at this time, but maintaining optimal nutrition supports healthy hair.
Natural remedies
Natural remedies like black tea rinses, henna, amla, and coconut oil may help delay graying due to their antioxidant content. These remedies can enhance hair color to a small degree by coating strands. But evidence does not yet support that they reverse graying or increase melanin production.
Melanocyte transplant
This experimental procedure involves transplanting melanocyte cells from a normally pigmented area of the scalp to the gray area. Early trials show moderate success in restoring original hair color. But the treatment is still new, expensive, and not widely available.
Embracing the grey
While completely reversing greying hair remains elusive, the good news is that gray and silver hair is increasingly embraced in our culture. More people are opting to proudly sport their natural gray locks thanks to trends like:
- Gray blending – Gray hairs are subtly integrated into color-treated hair for a modern look.
- Silver staining – Enhances gray tones with metallic salon glazes instead of covering them.
- Gray transitioning – Gradually coloring out dye to let gray hairs grow in seamlessly.
- Full gray – Letting all hair go completely gray for a striking, sophisticated look.
The rise of gray hair positivity and role models with gorgeous gray locks are helping redefine our cultural perception of graying as a positive sign of experience and wisdom instead of just old age.
Conclusion
While the specific age varies slightly between ethnicities, most people complete the transition to fully gray or white hair in their mid-60s to mid-70s. The graying process is largely genetic, but factors like stress, health conditions, and lifestyle habits can accelerate graying. Completely reversing gray hair remains challenging, but cultural perceptions around graying are shifting to embrace gray hair as beautiful and chic.