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Busting all myths about grey hair 
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Busting all myths about grey hair 

Dec 19, 2025
10:58 am

What's the story

Grey hair is often surrounded by a lot of myths and misconceptions, most of which are not true. Many believe that stress can turn your hair grey overnight, or that plucking a grey hair will make more grow in its place. These myths can be misleading and create unnecessary worry about the natural aging process. Here, we debunk common myths about grey hair and give you factual insights into what really causes it.

Myth 1

Stress turns hair grey

One common myth is that stress can turn your hair grey overnight. While stress may affect your overall health, it doesn't directly change your hair color. The process of greying is mainly genetic and occurs as melanin production in hair follicles decreases over time. While chronic stress may lead to other health issues, it's not a direct cause of premature greying.

Myth 2

Plucking grey hair increases growth

Another popular belief is that plucking a gray hair will only make more grow in its place. This myth has no scientific basis. Plucking damages the follicle and may even lead to thinning over time, but it doesn't affect melanin production or cause more gray hairs to appear. It's best to avoid plucking if you want to maintain healthy follicles.

Myth 3

Vitamin deficiencies cause greying

Some people think that vitamin deficiencies are responsible for grey hair. While vitamins are important for overall health, there's no direct link between specific vitamin deficiencies and premature greying. Genetics remains the leading factor in determining when you will start to go grey. A balanced diet supports health but won't reverse or prevent genetic greying.

Myth 4

Hair products accelerate greying

There is a common misconception that using certain hair products can speed up the greying process. However, this is largely unfounded. While some products may not be suitable for all hair types, leading to damage or breakage, they do not directly affect melanin production in follicles responsible for natural color. Choosing appropriate products based on individual needs helps maintain healthy locks without affecting color change.

Myth 5

Smoking causes premature greys

Smoking has long been associated with various health risks, including cardiovascular diseases and respiratory problems, but its direct link to premature greys remains debatable among researchers worldwide today. Although some studies suggest a correlation between smoking habits and early onset of silver strands due to