Why saying that plucking white hairs is unscientific
May 13, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
Plucking white hair may damage hair follicles, accelerate the production of white hair, cause infections, increase psychological stress, and speed up hair aging. Therefore, it is generally considered unscientific. In daily life, one can delay the occurrence of white hair through a balanced diet, maintaining good sleep habits, and appropriate exercise. Additionally, for existing white hair, options such as hair dyeing or cutting can be chosen to improve appearance.
Plucking white hair may damage hair follicles, accelerate the production of white hair, trigger infections, increase psychological stress, and hasten hair aging. Therefore, it is generally considered unscientific. If concerned, it is recommended to seek medical advice in advance. The detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Hair Follicle Damage: When plucking white hair, it is easy to cause mechanical damage to the hair follicles. This kind of damage may lead to abnormal follicular function and subsequently affect normal hair growth. Long-term plucking of white hair may even cause follicle atrophy or skin problems such as folliculitis.
2. Accelerated Production of White Hair: Plucking white hair does not prevent new white hair from appearing. The color of hair is determined by melanin in the hair follicles, and plucking white hair does not change the amount or function of melanin within the follicles. On the contrary, the stimulation of plucking may accelerate follicle aging, leading to increased white hair production.
3. Infection Risk: When plucking white hair, if the tools are unclean or the procedure is performed improperly, scalp infections may easily occur. Infections can lead to symptoms such as redness, swelling, and pain of the scalp, and in severe cases, may even result in abscess formation.
4. Increased Psychological Stress: The habit of plucking white hair often stems from excessive concern about one's appearance, which may cause significant psychological stress. Prolonged psychological stress not only affects emotional well-being but may also negatively impact overall health.
5. Accelerated Hair Aging: Plucking white hair does not prevent new white hairs from appearing; rather, it may accelerate the aging process of hair. Plucking disrupts the hair's growth environment, making hair more prone to dryness and brittleness, thus speeding up hair loss and aging.
In daily life, one can delay the occurrence of white hair through a balanced diet, maintaining good sleep habits, and appropriate exercise. Additionally, existing white hair can be managed by hair dyeing or trimming to improve appearance.
