What causes gray hair?

What causes gray hair?

• A. Increased pigment production in the cortex
• B. Reduction or loss of pigment production in the cortex
• C. Damage to the epidermis from sun exposure
• D. Inflammation of the skin

Answer: (B)

Hair color comes from melanin made by pigment cells in the hair follicle and deposited in the cortex of the hair shaft. As we age, these pigment-producing cells slow down or stop producing melanin, so the cortex receives less pigment. With reduced pigment, the hair looks gray or white, and you may see a mix of pigmented and unpigmented hairs. Increased pigment would darken hair, while sun-damaged epidermis or skin inflammation don’t directly alter pigment production in the cortex.

Hair color comes from melanin made by pigment cells in the hair follicle and deposited in the cortex of the hair shaft. As we age, these pigment-producing cells slow down or stop producing melanin, so the cortex receives less pigment. With reduced pigment, the hair looks gray or white, and you may see a mix of pigmented and unpigmented hairs. Increased pigment would darken hair, while sun-damaged epidermis or skin inflammation don’t directly alter pigment production in the cortex.