Being rich in minerals, konbu and wakame are important sources of nutrients that are essential for our hair. As our hair is also a part of our body, a balanced diet is still key to maintaining the beautiful, healthy hair.

The color of our hair is determined by the amount of melanin pigment present, much like how our skin color is dependent on how much melanin is made by our skin’s melanocytes. Hair with large amounts of melanin appear black. With decreasingly less melanin, hair will appear brown, blond, or white. Melanin is synthesised from an amino acid called tyrosine, and this takes place within melanocytes.

The synthesis can only take place with the help of an enzyme called tyrosinase. If tyrosinase lowers in function, less melanin is made and grey hair results. Melanin production can also be affected if there is a loss in melanocytes due to certain circumstances. The mechanism behind grey hair growth is still in the midst of being uncovered. However, reasons behind the loss in functionality of tyrosinase and in the number of melanocytes are still not clearly known.

While it differs for each individual, an average Japanese person is said to start having grey hair after the age of 35.

Grey and black hair are mainly differentiated based on the presence or lack of melanin. They do not differ much in terms of amino acids and protein. However, one may notice that grey hair strands tend to seem sturdier and likely to stand out from the rest of the hair. While this is partly due to the contrast in color, the lack of melanin in grey hair is also compensated by more fibrous protein, making them stronger and sturdier.

Plucking grey hair is not a known factor leading to an increase in grey hair growth. Once grey hair growth has started to become apparent, most people instinctively try to pluck the grey hair strands that come to their notice. However, it is likely that by that time, grey hair growth has already started accelerating due to age. In that case, then, it may seem as though plucking grey hair has caused more to grow in place of them.

Do take note that plucking your hair unnecessarily and forcefully may cause damage to your roots.

Chances are, grey hair will start growing again from the very same root the grey strand has been previously plucked from.

The frightening myth is actually not possible. Our hair is not capable of changing color once it has grown out from the scalp.

However, it may be possible for there to be a sudden increase in grey hair growth around the roots. This may arise from extreme stress or other factors causing the body to suddenly lose its ability to produce melanin. In such a case, then, it may seem as if the person has suddenly “become” white-haired.