Men and gray hair

Contrary to what men tell their wives, women are not the cause of their gray hair. Hair normally turns gray as a result of the natural aging process. Cells at the base (root) of the hair produce pigment in the hair shaft. These cells are genetically programmed to make a certain amount of pigment (melanin) starting at a specific age. Eventually, these cells start to make less pigment until the hair has little pigment at all. A white hair has no pigment, and a gray hair has some pigment but not as much as red or brown hair.

Not all hairs turn gray at the same time; the process is gradual and can't be prevented. Some people start graying in their 30s, and some not until their 60s. It is unknown what role, if any, stress plays in graying.

People rarely go gray overnight. If they do, it's typically due to alopecia areata. This condition causes the thicker, darker hairs to stop growing before it affects the growth of gray hairs — giving the impression of graying overnight. Alopecia areata eventually causes roundish patches of hair loss or complete loss of hair on the head or body. The cause isn't known.

Source: Mayo Clinic

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