What causes white hair?
Sep 13, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, the presence of white hair may be caused by factors such as aging, mental stress, vitiligo, hyperthyroidism, alopecia areata, and others. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation, identify the underlying cause, and undergo symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. Daily hair care is important, including avoiding frequent perming and dyeing to reduce irritation to the hair and hair follicles.
Generally speaking, the presence of gray hair may be caused by factors such as aging, mental stress, vitiligo, hyperthyroidism, alopecia areata, and others. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and undergo symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Aging: With increasing age, melanocyte function in the hair follicles gradually declines, resulting in reduced melanin production. Hair turns gray due to insufficient melanin. In daily life, maintaining a balanced diet and consuming more protein- and B-vitamin-rich foods such as eggs, nuts, and leafy vegetables can help delay graying.
2. Mental Stress: Long-term anxiety, tension, or other negative emotions can affect endocrine function and hair follicle health, inhibiting melanocyte activity and leading to premature graying. Stress can be relieved through exercise, listening to music, social interaction, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, and avoiding staying up late.
3. Vitiligo: Due to immune system dysfunction attacking melanocytes, hair follicle melanocytes become damaged and are unable to synthesize melanin, resulting in gray hair. Patients can follow medical advice to use medications such as tacrolimus ointment, pimecrolimus cream, or calcipotriol ointment to promote melanocyte recovery.
4. Hyperthyroidism: Excessive secretion of thyroid hormones affects bodily metabolism and interferes with normal melanocyte function, causing hair to turn gray. Patients should follow medical advice to use medications such as methimazole tablets, propylthiouracil tablets, or carbimazole tablets to regulate thyroid function and improve hair condition.
5. Alopecia Areata: Autoimmune abnormalities damage hair follicles, causing sudden hair loss. Newly grown hair may appear white. Patients can follow medical advice to use minoxidil solution, halometasone cream, or desonide cream to stimulate hair follicles. In some cases, autologous hair transplantation may be necessary to restore natural hair color and density.
Daily hair care should include avoiding frequent perming or dyeing to reduce irritation to the hair and follicles. Choose mild shampoo products, use warm water when washing hair, and gently massage the scalp to promote blood circulation and maintain healthy hair follicles.
