why does hair turn gray as we age

Hair gets its natural color from a pigment called melanin, which is produced by specialized cells called melanocytes within each hair follicle. As we grow older, our hair turns gray and eventually white due to a combination of cellular wear and biochemical changes.

The primary cause is the natural depletion of melanocyte stem cells. With age, the reservoir of these stem cells in our follicles gradually wears out, meaning fewer active melanocytes are available to color new hair strands.

At the same time, our hair follicles naturally produce tiny amounts of hydrogen peroxide. In our youth, an enzyme called catalase quickly breaks this down into harmless water and oxygen. As we age, catalase levels drop significantly. This allows hydrogen peroxide to build up in the follicle, literally bleaching the hair from the inside out and blocking the remaining melanocytes from transferring pigment.

While genetics largely dictate when this process begins, chronic stress can accelerate it by depleting stem cells prematurely. If you want to support hair health and keep follicles functioning optimally, incorporating a high-quality biotin supplement into your daily routine is a common supportive strategy.