Factors that may transform your hair into silver strands

Gray hair is often an inevitable part of aging, a visible marker of the passing years. However, what truly drives this transformation? Here are six reasons that hair may turn gray.

When hair turns gray, it is due to the gradual decline of pigment cells within the hair follicles. The natural color of our hair comes from melanin, a pigment produced by specialized cells called melanocytes. These cells infuse melanin into the hair cells, determining its natural hue, whether it is blonde, brown, black or red. Gray hair is a natural part of the aging process, often considered a visual marker of growing older. (iStock) The age at which this process begins varies among individuals and is heavily affected by lifestyle choices, genetics and environmental influences. (iStock) Some people may start noticing gray hairs in their 20s or 30s, while others maintain their original hair color well into their later years. (iStock)

As we grow older, melanocytes begin producing less melanin, causing a gradual decrease in hair pigment. Over time, certain hair follicles cease melanin production entirely, leading to the growth of gray or white hair.