Starting to Look Like Santa? Here’s Why

You Should Know: No wonder Santa is sporting a head full of snow-white hair: with gifts, travel, and family, there’s a lot to be stressed about. But is stress really turning his, and our, hair gray? 

Going Deeper: Gray hair is one of the first telltale signs of aging, which is why we’re usually not pleased to see those first silver strands. Hair doesn’t actually “turn” gray: over time, it simply stops producing melanin, which gives hair its natural pigment. But stress may speed up this process. Stress can initiate the body’s “fight or flight” response, which triggers the release of norepinephrine. This hormone causes melanin-producing cells to move out of the hair follicles. 

Takeaway: Stress isn’t the only reason we go gray when we do. Check out your parents’ hair for the biggest culprit: genetics. Other factors include vitamin B12 and iron deficiencies, smoking, and autoimmune disorders. 

Bottom Line: Going gray is a normal part of aging. You may be able to slow it or dye it, but you can’t stop it.