Does plucking white hairs really cause more to grow?
Aug 31, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
It's usually not true that plucking white hairs causes more to grow. When you pluck a white hair, you only remove the visible strand without affecting the hair follicle at the root, nor does it cause more white hairs to grow. Even if you pluck a white hair, as long as the pigment cells in the follicle remain active, new hair may still grow in black or its original color. It is recommended to regularly massage the scalp to maintain healthy hair.
It is generally not true that plucking white hairs causes more to grow, but this misconception warrants attention. The detailed explanation is as follows:
White hair primarily results from metabolic dysfunction in the melanocytes located in the hair follicles, leading to impaired or complete loss of pigment production, which causes the hair to turn white. Plucking white hairs does not cause them to increase in number. When a white hair is plucked, only the visible portion of the hair is removed; the hair follicle at the root remains unaffected, and this does not lead to an increased growth of white hairs. Even after plucking, if the pigment-producing cells in the follicle remain active, newly grown hair may still be black or retain its original color. However, frequently plucking white hairs may damage the scalp, increasing the risk of infection and potentially causing folliculitis. Therefore, it is not advisable to repeatedly pluck white hairs when they appear.
If there is a significant amount of white hair, it is recommended to seek medical advice promptly and manage the condition under professional guidance. In daily life, using mild shampoos and regularly massaging the scalp are advised to promote blood circulation and maintain the health of the hair and scalp.
