Can I pull out my white hair?

People of different races have different pupil and hair colors. Asians mainly have yellow skin and black hair, but as they age, many people show signs of gray hair. Many elderly people seen on the street have gray hair. Gray hair is a sign of aging, so many people often pull out their gray hair to make themselves look younger. So is it okay to pull out gray hair when it appears on your head?

Many young people now have white hair. Some people believe the folk saying that "if you pull out one white hair, ten will grow, and the more you pull out, the more white hair will grow." Others believe that "after pulling out white hair, the white pigment will 'pollute' other black hair follicles, causing more white hair to grow the more you pull out." In this regard, experts said that there is no so-called "white pigment" in the body, and the more you pull out white hair, the more it will grow.

The growth of black hair is mainly formed by melanocytes in the hair roots. As we age, the pigment cells at the root of the hair follicles stop or reduce the production of melanin, resulting in the formation of gray hair. Experts say that normal hair is black because it contains melanin and melanin granules, while white hair is caused by the absence of melanin granules. In addition, it is recommended not to pull out gray hair forcibly. Although plucking gray hair will not make it grow more, it will damage the hair roots. Especially if you pull out too much, it may cause folliculitis.

When there are a lot of white hair, many people will dye it. Experts say it’s better to let nature take its course. Although there is no conclusion yet on whether hair dyes are carcinogenic, they are chemicals after all and do pose hidden dangers such as allergies. In addition, the scalp is closest to the brain, and frequent contact with chemicals can cause damage to other organs. People with low immunity should especially avoid dyeing their hair.

Experts say that gray hair caused by aging is a normal physiological process and the possibility of reversibility is very small. However, some people will have "premature gray hair". There are many reasons for this. Some of the reasons are related to genetics, which is unlikely to be reversible; some of them are related to mental and mood factors; and some of them are related to nutrition and chronic diseases, which are reversible.

How to protect your hair and avoid the formation of gray hair as much as possible? Experts suggest that, first, relax your mind and ensure sleep; second, exercise moderately to allow blood circulation throughout the body; third, you can massage your hair locally; fourth, eat foods containing B vitamins and some colored foods, such as black beans, fungus, black sesame, Ligustrum lucidum and other foods.