On your way to turning grey? Facts about your future head of hair

There are many myths and old wives' tales about grey hair – and many of them will make you worry. 

But, Women's Health recently spoke to dermatologist Howard Sobel and he cleared up what is fact and what is fiction about your future head of hair. 

Myth: If you see a grey hair pop up, you're on your way to a full head of silver soon.

False: Howard says that this isn't true for everyone. By the time you reach 30, you will naturally have a few grey hairs. While some may continue to grey as the years go on, others may just stall at those few strands for years to come. 

 

Myth: If you pluck a grey hair, two will grow back in its place.

False: “Plucking grey hair won’t increase the number of grey hairs that will grow in its place, but the ones that grow back will still be grey,” explains Howard. But be careful, because if you pluck a strand you might damage the hair follicle and then NO hair will grow back in its place. 

 

Myth: The age your mother went grey is a good estimate for when you will turn grey.

True: “Genetics will generally predict when your hair starts to go grey,” says Mr Sobel. However, environmental factors can also come into play.

 

Myth: You can give yourself grey hair from stressing too much.

Possibly True: “The supply of melanocyte stem cells that colour hair deplete as we age, and stress may make someone who is predisposed to grey hair go grey sooner,” says Howard.

 

Myth: Dying your hair constantly can bring on grey hair.

False: Hair dye has absolutely no relationship with grey hair, so this is completely untrue. However, your hair can take a beating from extreme colouring so be sure to condition and be kind to your do'.