From Why Gray Hairs Appear to Why You Shouldn’t Pull Them Out

From the moment a person is born into the world,

while slowly maintaining their own pace,

they go through step-by-step growth and, after

reaching a certain point,

gradually age as time passes.

This is a cycle that everyone inevitably

goes through in life. During that process,

one may experience changes in the overall

body as well as in outward appearance,

with transformations that are very different

from the 모습 that once proudly represented youth.

We call this phenomenon aging. And among the

main symptoms that can occur through this process,

as the balance of oil and moisture is disrupted,

skin elasticity declines and small and large wrinkles

appear, or the function of internal tissues and cells

slows down, causing various symptoms to emerge one

by one. In addition, while having uniformly black hair,

white hairs begin to appear here and there, and this

often makes one vividly feel the traces of time that

has passed.

However, even apart from the effects of aging,

some people in their 20s and 30s reportedly experience

the problem of white natural hair due to various causes,

and this can become a severe complex and source of

stress. Then, let’s take some time to talk in detail

about the reasons gray hairs appear and why you

shouldn’t pull them out.

First, white hair and gray hair are the same concept,

with only the name being different. In the root of

natural hair, that is, the hair follicle, there are cells

that produce melanin pigment, and as the activity of

these cells gradually declines and decreases, white

hair appears. On average, this begins after the late

30s, and over time the amount gradually increases.

One of the most commonly known reasons gray hairs

appear is that it can occur partly due to genetic

factors. Certain gene mutations can reduce the ability

to produce pigment in natural hair, and according to

studies, the appearance of white hair may also follow

a family’s genetic pattern, and in some cases it can be

inherited naturally when there are members with a

large amount of gray hair.

It is also said that when suffering from endocrine

diseases such as alopecia areata, vitiligo, anemia,

or diabetes, gray hairs can appear due to lowered

immunity. In addition, medications taken regularly or

ongoing excessive stress are also cited, as they can

trigger chemical changes related to hair pigment

production. In particular, when in a tense state, the

secretion of cortisol, a hormone that suppresses the

production of melanin, has been shown to increase.

Another reason gray hairs appear, stemming from habits

that are easy to overlook in daily life, is that improper

hair care can become a factor that further promotes the

appearance of white hair. Leaving the scalp exposed to

ultraviolet rays for long periods, using excessive heat

for styling, undergoing procedures that require chemical

treatment, or tying the hair very tightly can all reduce

the overall health of the hair and increase the likelihood

of gray hair appearing.

In addition, irregular eating habits and extreme dieting

can lead to a lack of nutrients reaching the hair, which

can in turn reduce melanin synthesis. Because of these

various reasons gray hairs appear, white hairs becoming

visible on the surface can be very bothersome, and some

people try to hide them or even pull them out because

they seem to make them look older. However, doing this

frequently can damage the hair follicles and may act as

a major cause of hair loss.

Also, hair follicles usually produce 1 to 3 hair roots,

but if you pull out gray hair for cosmetic reasons or

other reasons, the hair root may be damaged and hair may

no longer grow. And hair, including natural hair as well

as the hair distributed throughout the body, plays an

important role in protecting the skin, defending against

external stimuli, and maintaining moisture. However, if

you forcibly remove hair that serves these functions,

the skin will be left exposed, increasing the inflow of

ultraviolet rays, fine dust, and various bacteria. It is

important to keep in mind that the skin may become even

drier, leading to problems such as other inflammations or

infections.

In addition, since hair naturally grows and changes,

if it is artificially pulled out, its shape or texture may

change when it grows back, so caution is needed. Since

there are reasons not to do this, it is desirable to maintain

the health of the skin and hair through meals rich in

nutrients in everyday life. In particular, developing the

habit of consuming foods that contain a good balance of

vitamins and minerals, as well as adequate hydration,

would be helpful.

It is also good to keep things clean and pay attention

to oil and moisture hydration, and to relieve accumulated

stress through activities such as exercise, meditation,

and rest that suit one’s interests and preferences, so

that not only physical health but also scalp and hair

health can be carefully managed.

In addition, if a specific problem related to white hair

is observed or other symptoms are confirmed, it would

be advisable to immediately visit a relevant clinic and

actively receive detailed consultation and appropriate

care.