Does Stress Really Turn Your Hair White?

The link between stress and hair going white has long been a topic of fascination, sparking discussions, debates, and anecdotes.

We've all heard stories of people who've experienced a sudden shock or chronic stress and witnessed their hair turning grey or white seemingly overnight.

But does stress really have the power to change your hair colour?

We look into the science behind this captivating phenomenon and unravel the hairy truth (pahhh).

The Science of Hair Pigmentation

To understand the role of stress in hair colour, we must first explore how hair gets its colour.

Our hair derives its colour from a pigment called melanin, which is produced by cells called melanocytes. There are two types of melanin – eumelanin (responsible for black and brown shades) and pheomelanin (responsible for red and yellow shades). The proportion and type of these melanin’s determine an individual's hair colour.

As we age, the melanocytes in our hair follicles gradually lose their ability to produce melanin, causing the hair strands to lose colour and turn grey or white. This process is called greying, and it's a natural part of aging.

The Stress-Hair Connection

In 2020, a study conducted by researchers at Harvard University discovered a connection between stress and hair colour. They found that stress can cause hair to grey prematurely by affecting the melanocyte stem cells (MeSCs) responsible for regenerating the pigment-producing cells in hair follicles.

The study revealed that when mice were exposed to stress, their sympathetic nervous system released the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, which resulted in the depletion of MeSCs. As a consequence, the hair follicles lost their ability to produce melanin, leading to greying hair.

While this study established a link between stress and greying hair in mice, it's essential to recognise that the relationship might not be as straightforward in humans. Additional research is required to determine whether the same mechanism applies to humans and the extent to which stress can accelerate hair greying.

Can Stress Turn Your Hair White Overnight?

Despite the famous stories of people waking up with white hair after a traumatic experience, it's highly unlikely that stress can cause such a rapid change.

Hair colour changes occur as the hair grows, and it takes time for new hair strands to grow and replace the existing ones. The phenomenon of hair suddenly turning white, known as "canities subita," is considered a myth by most dermatologists and hair experts.

However, stress can exacerbate hair shedding, also known as telogen effluvium.

When a significant portion of the hair enters the resting (telogen) phase and falls out prematurely, it may give the appearance of a sudden greying or whitening, especially if the lost hair strands were darker and the remaining ones are already grey or white.

Summary

While scientific evidence suggests that stress can contribute to premature greying, the process is gradual and unlikely to cause an overnight change in hair colour. Maintaining a balanced lifestyle, managing stress, and practicing self-care, even turning to stoicism can help support overall health, including hair health.

To keep your lovely hair vibrant and healthy, it's essential to care for it both internally and externally – through a nutrient-rich diet, regular exercise, and proper hair care routines.

Remember, stress may play a part in your hair's journey, but it's not the sole determinant of your hair's colour and health.