Hair color is determined by the melanin pigment, which gradually decreases over time, causing hair to turn gray and eventually white. Premature gray hair is caused by disruptions in the body’s production of melanin. Despite the desire to remove white strands by pulling them out, this habit can lead to serious damage such as infections and pustules in the hair follicle area.
Continuously pulling out gray hair can damage hair follicles, making it difficult for them to recover and leading to thinning and hair loss. Repeatedly plucking hair can increase post-inflammatory pigmentation, resulting in irreversible damage to hair follicles, loss of function, and decreased hair cycles, leading to thinner and sparser hair. Therefore, it is advised not to pull out gray hair.
There is currently no complete treatment for premature gray hair, but individuals can take steps to prevent or minimize its occurrence through various methods. Dr. Thai Thanh Yen from the Department of Dermatology – Skin Aesthetics at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City explains that premature graying typically begins in the mid-30s for Caucasians, late 30s for Asians
