To fully understand the challenges gray hair faces—frizz, loss of shine, more
fragile hair—we must understand the different processes that occur and
understand that these cannot be solely attributed to a loss of melanin in the hair;
there are other interesting factors, which I will describe below.
Gray hair is more resistant externally. Yes, keratinocytes begin to occupy the
spaces of the melanocytes. This translates into more keratin and stronger hair.
Gray hair falls out less. Gray hair delays its loss. When a hair enters the shedding
phase (telogen phase), the immune system intervenes, lymphocytes arrive and
accelerate the telogen phase. When hair turns gray, lymphocytes become
“confused.” They are programmed to act on colored hair, and the lack of color
confuses them and delays hair loss.
Cellular resistance. Biologically speaking, when one of the cells in a tissue
disappears, the others acquire cellular resistance. In this case, it seems that by
losing melanocytes, the hair follicle becomes more resistant and long-lived to
keratinocytes. Although this has not been proven, it is an assumption of biologists.
When hair turns gray, the lipid fraction of the hair changes, both in quantity and
arrangement within the hair fiber. The lipids in the cuticle of gray hair decrease
compared to pigmented hair. These factors cause gray hair to change its
hygroscopicity and affinity for metals compared to naturally pigmented hair fibers,
affecting shine, frizz, and fragility.
Can we delay gray hair?
To delay gray hair, we must maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes a good diet.
We have previously seen how vitamin and mineral deficiencies can contribute to
graying. And as with any healthy lifestyle, a healthy diet must be combined with
proper stress management, adequate rest, and physical exercise. Remember to
avoid excessive tobacco and alcohol, as these, in addition to aging hair, can also
lead to hair loss.
You can also use products that activate tyrosinase, products that facilitate pigment
fusion and, of course, maintain the hair follicle in good condition.
Once hair turns gray and you reach a certain age, this cannot be reversed. These
products are indicated for young people and require daily application.
What we can do is maintain a healthy lifestyle and manage stress well, one of the
most important triggers. At the same time, we should avoid tobacco and alcohol, as
they not only age hair but can also lead to hair loss.
Does gray hair require different care than normal hair?
I recommend using a shampoo tailored to your hair type and needs, with active
ingredients with proven properties that soften and even out the hair fiber. And since
gray hair takes on a yellowish hue if exposed to excessive sun, chlorine, or even
minerals in the water, check that the products don’t pigment your hair. Use a
shampoo or concentrate with violet pigments; it will tone down those unwanted
colors.
This toning shampoo should only be applied to the area where you detect
unwanted coloration, which will be primarily from the mid-lengths to the ends.
Using it on your entire hair can cause unwanted blue tones.
Gray hair tends to be thicker and unruly, and like any other hair, it needs
protection. Gray hair suffers from external aggressions, both environmental (sun,
pollution), mechanical (brushing, straightening), and chemical (coloring), which is
why caring for it is key to keeping it healthy and beautiful.
If you try to hide them, I recommend using an organic and natural product like
Melanobars products. [https://stg.mdnazmulsobuz.com/]
Facts about gray hair that you may not know.
Men are more prone to baldness than women, and African Americans have
the lowest incidence, due to the greater capacity of melanocytes in blacks to
synthesize tyrosinase.
Oxidative stress on melanocytes due to repeated technical processes
causes their depletion.
Gray hair always begins in the temporal region, while baldness always
begins in the upper hairline, hence the postulation of an inverse mechanism
between gray hair and baldness.
