What Causes Hair to Turn Gray?

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A Genius Among Us
• A Genius Among Us
In this video:
Anyone who has watched a President through their term in office knows stress might be a cause for gray hair; the stress/graying hair effect is particularly notable in President Obama. If you have teenagers, you’ve probably even remarked to them the stress they cause you is making your hair turn gray. The truth is going gray really has to do with the production of pigment in your hair follicles. That production process can be altered by several contributing factors, stress being one of them.
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[@CatholicElectrician]

Whenever I watch one of these videos, I think “Simon must be a frickin genius after everything he’s learned about,” but then I realize that if he’s anything like me, he forgets 99% of it about 2 days after he says it

[@boeyzhang8565]

Ikr 😂

[@ThePainkiller9995]

Learning fairly useless trivia doesn't make you a genius though. I'm not dissing useless trivia, it just doesn't make you any more intelligent

[@CatholicElectrician]

ThePainkiller9995 yeah I didn’t mean the trivia made him a genius, just that his brain seems super receptive since he covers such a wide range of topics and seems to fully understand them while he’s talking about them

[@silviasteeve]

I'm sure he's got to be nearly a genius after it all. I mean just the other day I watched a video where he explained why....um. Well, it was something about stuff I wondered about for a long time, so ya, there's that.

[@HikaruKatayamma]

Kaizer You should look up the documentary they did on how these are done. Others do most of the heavy lifting with Simon being the face. And trust me when I say that they do make mistakes in their research, however I still love their work.

[@brantleyhester6641]

You look fine without hair on the top of your head Simon. Now rock on you KZbin god

[@timothyneiswander3151]

Just for funsies he should post a few pics of himself with hair.

[@drubie9553]

Hester? My GMA was a Hester from MS or Louisiana

[@brantleyhester6641]

@@drubie9553 I think most of my relatives range from GA to VA

[@drubie9553]

@@brantleyhester6641 it could have been Georgia... One of them states touching Alabama

[@drubie9553]

@@brantleyhester6641 genealogy says we moved from VA to TN back in the 1700s.

[@tylerHphoto]

I had to pause at 24 seconds because I started laughing so hard. I love your wit and sarcasm.

[@boeyzhang8565]

Same

[@kathryngeeslin9509]

Always.

[@DanGoodShotHD]

"The winter of our lives." Never have I heard a more depressing term... 😭

[@evelynharber6077]

I think it is rather charming.

[@RosheenQuynh]

Wonder if that means spring is the the beginning?

[@SophiaAstatine]

Wonder what the opposite would be. The summer of our death?

[@RosheenQuynh]

@@SophiaAstatine I thought winter _was_ the death?

[@ZIALANDER63]

Im in the 'Indian Summer' of my life.

[@harshbarj]

Somehow I feel this episode was a prank on Simon. Let's make the bald man talk about hair.

[@carriefarnham7150]

Lol

[@ssnipermenizz]

😂😂💀

[@DofTNet]

Simon, I feel you on the no-hair thing. On the other hand, much respect for rocking that bald head of yours

[@johnyricco1220]

A moment of appreciation for Santa’s stressful life

[@UFBMusic]

You've got hair, Simon, you just put your head on upside down!

[@darkman19693]

Gray? I would never call my 'Silver highlights' gray.

[@kaka4787]

Your level of optimism, I like it

[@kataseiko]

I'd call them "wisdom highlights" and get a frown from my son..

[@MelB868]

I have a few strands of silver hair too.

[@rustcohle3803]

I think gray makes you look cool imo, that one strand of gray hair on me got me excited

[@em286]

Simon you had me spitting out my coffee at 24 seconds. Lol. 🤣😂 I love your sense of humor. 😁

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

0:21 Simon: (Cries in Saitama)

[@edmundblackaddercoc8522]

Hair today gone tomorrow.

[@kylenetherwood8734]

That's who I thought of too

[@boeyzhang8565]

LoL

[@Cjnw]

Normie

[@cypresscustoms]

Children cause gray hair, specifically teenagers.

[@eeaotly]

cypresscustoms Also do the childish imature children.

[@paulazemeckis7835]

So do men!!!!

[@verygoodbadboy4051]

@@paulazemeckis7835 and women

[@queenditty2783]

My mom started greying at 18. Last year I found a grey eyelash.. I was 19. It often falls out but it always grows back. After that I completely changed my lifestyle from young party girl to responsible, sober mom. Haven't seen another grey yet but I'm sure my son will change all that.

[@honestlynate7922]

I have 4 greys in my beard. Im bald too Simon. There can be only so many perfect heads sir, the rest all have hair on them.

[@thatgirlwhousedtohavereall5549]

Honestly Nate Deep thoughts 🤔💭

[@DofTNet]

also fascinating to note that I have a few strands in my beard that have gone gray mid-cycle... the tips are dark and the roots have no pigment with about 5mm of smooth gradient between the two bits.

[@kaitriley1932]

My partner's beard is doing the same thing. Weird but fascinating. Enjoy your multiple hues you wonderful beardy man!

[@terrypeart3875]

Kait Riley Why are you gender projecting?

[@DofTNet]

🙄 Please don't be unjustifiably outraged on my behalf. For one thing, it's completely not relevant to the discussion of keratin extrusion and melanocytes...

[@terrypeart3875]

DofTNet Sorry sweetheart

[@DofTNet]

@@terrypeart3875 Thanks, darling 😘

[@MyDiesel101]

As always, a brilliantly produced & researched video Simon! Thank You! You look terrific Simon! I am 100 % bald myself, and I am proud of it! Your glasses and beard nicely compliment your style.

[@williamwoody7607]

A discussion of ear hair would’ve been appreciated.

[@BrianPremo]

Grey hair is beautiful. I’ve always wanted a long grey mane. Now I’m 40 and the greys are indeed multiplying but my hair is also thinning. The race is on.

[@LokHar87]

It's okay Simon you're not alone, I started going bald in my early 20s. I'm now in my early 30s and just wish the rest of the damn hairs would just give up.

[@mrxanthios7045]

Right? I am still at that point where I can kind of cover but I am always thinking of just shaving it all.. but I am still to scared to make the step. I see you bro

[@iamzid]

@@mrxanthios7045 don't become like my grandfather who has the hair on one side of his head 10 inches longer than the other so that he can comb it over from one ear to the other

[@hammerfall6666]

@bittercottoncandy unless he's not Asian and has a beard, he should shave it off his hair. Unlike me who can't grow a beard and have a weird head shape, I looks like a Shaolin monk if i shave my head.

[@agonleed3841]

@bittercottoncandy or asian

[@squidracerX]

@@mrxanthios7045 - same!

[@akrybion]

0:23 I feel you Simon... I feel you...At least our beards can grow grey.

[@gatsu718]

Same 😓

[@vivihutson5285]

P K and pubic hair

[@InterestEPC]

Can confirm the genetic defect thing as my family has it to the point I had grey hairs before even undergoing puberty. Made for a fun childhood to say the least... RIP to being bald though.

[@sps6374]

We feel for you, Simon! Who needs hair anyway ?

[@sps6374]

@Elijah Edwards I've been totally without and I didn't feel like a freak :)

[@gfdchugh]

I do to frame my ugly face

[@gungriffen]

Anytime hair is mentioned Simon always looks awkward in the thumbnail lol

[@ladysparkymartin]

This was interesting! Thank you! I was an auburn red until recently. Was afraid to let it go but the grays are kinda coming in gold. Sometimes white, thank god. Melonin is weird stuff I guess. Blonde everywhere else. Good side - no body hair to shave. Bad side - no visible brows or lashes. I know this isn’t a beauty blog but I’m interested in the aging process so thank you again. 👍💃

[@facina3390]

The first holiday season as a dairy manager, I went gray on the sides of my head. My hair turned back normal around March. Ahhhh retail. 🤬

[@mangot589]

Facina whaaatt? Can that even happen?🤔

[@eugenetswong]

@@mangot589 my hair switches back to black often, but usually stay white. In 3 inches of hair, I've seen it go from black to white to black.

[@laurak5838]

My hair will start growing white, then about 3" later starts coming in normally. I also have many that stay white.

[@mydadcouldbeatupyourdad7134]

I was losing my hair but Rogaine saved it. I'm on a monthly prescription for confidence.

[@jasonnorthcutt4008]

I started going gray in High School. I'm in my late forties now. Almost completely gray including chest and leg hair. Getting old sucks. But I guess it's better than the alternative LOL.

[@janineharrison5186]

In 2009 my fiance died unexpectedly. When I got home from the hospital, my hair around my face had turned solid white. I am a natural blonde, so within a few days it either blended in or returned to normal. But....a few years later, I developed breast cancer. I was told that severe stress can cause the immune system to break down and allow the cancer already in our bodies to 'root', for lack of better term. Amazing what stress can do.

[@clareb8015]

Amazing but also very scary.

[@dankauffman8568]

Hey Simon , think about how much you're saving on shampoo .

[@isodom]

I wish I could rock baldness as well as you do Simon. You look great with out it if you ask me and you didn't.

[@sarikatimmi]

hyperpigmentation on my skin but not enough melanin/pigment to stop my hair from turning grey/white

[@miriambarnett2782]

Simon, I had cancer 2 years ago and went through chemo and radiation. I didn’t lose my hair although it got thinner. This spring it started to turn frizzy. I got my hair cut and now my hair is curly. I don’t know why this happened but I’m enjoying it.

[@dutchik5107]

Curly hair is often frizzy. Especially when it isn't super healthy. Maybe the shape of your follicles changed a bit? Curly hair tends to be a more fragile. And hair texture can change overtime just like colour. As a kid i had tight tight curls, older child and puberty pretty damn straight. And then a wavy curly shit as an old teen.

[@DeannaJacksonDJsDelectables]

I've been going gray since I was 23. I'm 32 and it's a lot more noticeable. Most of it was from stress. My parents didn't turn gray until after they turned 45.

[@bitebetsy]

Simon, Always a pleasure. I, via a brain injury at age 11, suffered for a period of the next 14 years with Night Terrors at the first point of Delta {REM} sleep. As a result - i could never sleep more than a bit over 30 minutes at a time - before I awoke in a cold sweat, recoiling from a terroristic dream. I survived - due to the vim & vigor we all are anointed with for free - as a result of our fleeting youth. Lucky for me - in 1975, at the age of 25 - my doctor found a medical treatment that resolved my Night Terror Dilemma - which, in turn, allowed me to resume a course of normal sleep habits - 8 hours a night! However, due to the stress of the experience - All of my hair turned grey beginning about the age of 15, and most of my hair fell out in my thirties...

[@chrismoody1342]

Your not alone Simon. Mine only lasted 38 years. Upside, it saves on haircuts and shampoo etc.

[@obsidiansands]

This is very interesting. I was told by my grandma and my mom that the first few years or so after I was born, I actually had a light brown - almost blond - hair as as baby. As I grew older, it turned black and has been my "default" hair color since.

[@Atma_Weapon]

simon doesnt need hair. hes totally epic without it. keep being you, simon. thanks for another awesome vid.

[@otakuman706]

I feel ya Simon. Thanks to a medical condition, and stress, I started going bald at 19. Everyone else (we know of anyway) in my family had a full head of hair throughout their life. I'd be fine shaving it, in fact I did on a few occasions prior to this starting, but I don't really have a head for it. Oh well it'll be the case soon either way.

[@gmcjetpilot]

I got a little choked up when Simon had a tear for his baldness.

[@tasiatyler3137]

My hair was completely white at age 30. Because of chemo all my hair fell out last year. My last chemo treatment was March this year. My hair started growing right away! It’s been 7 months now and I have a beautiful thick head of hair about 3 inches long and very wavy! Still white hair at age 55! Only a few of us can rock the bald look and Simon you are King!!

[@imbwildrd3693]

Simon, are you saying "folicules" like "molecules"?

[@HooverLux]

You may have no hair on your head, but from your ears down you’re an amazing and gorgeous bear! 🥰

[@OswaldDigestiveClinic]

Thanks for sharing! To add to this, causes of grey hair include chronic stress and viral infections. Chronic stress can result from emotional stress, or the stress of eating processed foods high in sugar, grains, and carbs. Consuming catalase and glutathione in foods can help with grey hair! Foods with catalase include green apples, cinnamon, cocoa and garlic! Foods with glutathione include protein foods, as some of the amino acid building blocks of protein help to make glutathione!

[@GreatSageSunWukong]

When my ex had his midlife crisis and turned nasty, during the months I was subjected to all his misery in life, my hair went gray in a strip on my fringe, i also lost weight alot, after he went the fringe hair actually went back to normal after a few months, as did my wieght

[@UFBMusic]

At least you went grey in a way that must have looked pretty snazzy!

[@SilvanaDil]

He "went" (away) or he "went" (and died) ?

[@GreatSageSunWukong]

SilvanaDil he left, he's not killed himself yet but it wouldn't surprise me if he does.

[@GreatSageSunWukong]

UFBMusic only if you like xmen (rogue)

[@lorib1696]

I assume this also applies to eyelashes and eyebrows. My husband has one hair on his left eyebrow that doesn't stop growing. I hadn't noticed till he told me about it. Sure enough it was over an inch long. Now he trims it down to match the rest. I think the reason that some people believe cutting their hair changes it's color is because hair gets sun-bleached on hairs that get more exposure. When they trim off the bleached part the hair that was previously underneath looks darker until it too gets sun-bleached.

[@iteerrex8166]

I'm very great full I have a handsome head, so buzzing or shaving it is not a problem. Plus I don't ever miss the literal headaches of hair care.

[@bobby_greene]

Once, there was this kid who got into an accident and couldn't come to school. But when he finally came back his hair had turned from black into bright white! He said that it was from when the cars impacted so hard.

[@mandiwilson83]

I almost died when I was 27 and my hair went gray with white streaks. I've been coloring it ever since.

[@becomingachristian]

Mandi W that’s kinda neat actually.

[@jennyboldrini7330]

I would keep the natural colour

[@ndnaf3705]

If I were you, I'd let it grow out!

[@PawelSorinsky]

Same age and slowly graying in the temples. Probably due to lack of sunlight.

[@jinbiezel683]

That's totally crazy how strong hair is, that's insane! 😱

[@I_am_Allan]

Simon, I feel your pain. I'm in the Sir Patrick Stewart phase of MBP.

[@jospargo8417]

Simon, your head is a lovely shape and your voice melodic. You obviously have a lot more going for you than a full head of hair could hide.

[@jennyjohn704]

As far as your shiny top, Simon, just remember that grass never grows on a busy road. And thank you for another interesting video.

[@coSMia2010]

I found out gray hair is the perfect canvas for fun color semi permanent dyes! Never have I been happier to have gone gray. Put some pink, purple, or blue on that gray, it feels delightful!

[@TechnoMinarchist]

What I learned today: Gingers are more closely related to ginger cows than the rest of us.

[@Patrick_Cooper]

And Gingersnaps...

[@shaneresuggan4548]

My local butcher is a ginger 😆

[@AngharadMac]

Heyy now

[@agonleed3841]

@@shaneresuggan4548 that fucking monster lmao

[@publicserviceannouncements2103]

Jacen Solo That's not how genetics works. And gingers have no genetic relatives, they are soulless bi-products of a rape filled ceremony.

[@LonDonTaylor.]

I've been curious about this for the last year as i'm rapidly approaching my 30's when I will probably see these effects. Thanks

[@valiroime]

Never trust anyone over 30

[@LonDonTaylor.]

@@valiroime thanks I won't.

[@fjbT2024]

I got my first grey hair the day after I married my first wife. Lol

[@kufudokungfu]

Single and have allot of grey hair but who cares lots of celebrities have grey hair Richard Gear George Clooney James bond rock your greys bros

[@jja1483]

Marwan Sayegh ur 1st wife🤔how many now😅🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

[@jja1483]

Wayne Buffin 4 real though😂😣

[@bentravels390]

@shooter4hire shooter4hire Clooney was married to a Christian woman when he turned gray

[@jaspr1999]

I am happy to know this! One of the annoying things about getting older and having facial hair is the stark contrast between my iron-grey facial hair and the brown/red hair on my head... With a pronounced bald spot dead center of the crown.

[@Erin-Thor]

I blame my going grey on my ex, the things I lost as things lost in the fire. It helps me to think of it that way as it is easier and brings less anger to the surface.

[@jungleno.]

I know what causes men's hair to turn gray. Marriage.

[@kissit012]

Married women die sooner than single women from stress related diseases. Married men live longer than single men. Who is stressing & killing who?

[@Phelixc]

A woman who worked at the convenience store next to my previous job had extremely long hair. I asked her about it one day and she told me she hadn't cut her hair since she was in her 20's, she was about 50 (probably a few years younger) when I talked to her. She had to have the hair in a thick braid to keep it from sweeping the floor (I'd estimate she was about 160cm high), and even when in the braid it reached down below her knees...

[@danieldale6469]

I had thrush (horrible mouth ulcers & pure pain) For several months. Lack of being able to eat caused my hair to start loosing color. No one believed me when I said I wasn't chemically lightning my hair. Fortunately my doctor treated the thrush & the color came back. If you get Thrush, SEE YOUR DOCTOR A.S.A.P. EASY TO CURE, DON'T WAIT

[@praxis6172]

I'm 42 with no grey, kinda wondering when it will start.

[@icemancometh1621]

So far as I'm concerned, my hair turns gray in proportion to wisdom. Therefore, I take great pride in my gray!

[@Henkelii]

I'm still cackling about the jealous tear of baldness, well scripted! 💕

[@usha9807]

I found my first grey hair at the age of 16, not good. Dyed it until my 50's, then thought sod it I am going to embrace the grey! The unfortunate thing is my beard is mostly dark brown, more unfortunate than that, I am female...

[@petuniasevan]

Those women's razors with the soap strips give a comfortable shave. Beard hair sucks when you are female and don't want to resemble a female Sasquatch. Goonie goo goo! Source: yours truly.

[@dutchik5107]

@@petuniasevan uhm. We all know mens razors are better. Especially on the face since they are designed for the curves. Womens are for big solid patches.

[@marybishop6105]

Started going gray when I was 17..... so the winter of my life started early I guess.

[@heyhonpuds]

I wish my hair went grey instead of falling out when I was 23.

[@taylorbarnett1199]

I learned something! I thought that everyone’s hair would just keep growing forever the same general rate

[@beardedroofer]

It's just hair, it'll grow back until one day it doesn't. Mine is racing to the back of my head, but the beard is magnificent! I highly recommend and encourage beards. I know it sounds silly, but you'll feel better about yourself.

[@krauthead4]

I know someone who found a gray hair in her head which was dark at both ends but gray in the middle. I'd never seen that before. I guess she went through some stress there.

[@dutchik5107]

Oh i've got that all the time. I pull one out and the top was brown

[@julieshank2885]

Enjoyed the episode. You mentioned hormones. One or two things I'd point out, though, is certain conditions like hypothyroidism (low thyroid) affect hair as well. Obviously, there are other symptoms as well, but a low thyroid can make hair fall out. I know it affects scalp hair. I'm not sure about actual body hair. All I know is that I no longer have much body hair left anywhere on my body anymore. Still nice and thick on scalp with only a little white coming through finally.

[@johnny2003]

As someone who’s 31 and started balding at 20, people that whine about going grey used to annoy me. I developed coping strategies around 27 after I gave up and learned to not worry about it as much. After years from 20 to 27 of constant hats.

[@laserfalcon]

Stress simply effects other reactions in the body.

[@Altercepez]

I had grey hair ever since middle school apparently so does my father and my grandfather. Is it possible hereditary?

[@MKMK-bj2sk]

*Nice hair you have there Simon!*

[@sparkysheep]

Also fun fact the length of your anagen phase can shift throughout your life, and its usually longer when you’re younger. Also big hormonal shifts (like pregnancy or puberty) can change your hair growth speed, how long the growth phases are, and even your hair texture! Not only for the hair on your scalp but your body hair as well.

[@ungrateful-66]

I’m 34, and 90% of my grays I developed in my 20’s, and CHOLESTEROL MEDICATION caused ~40% of top hair to FALL OUT (ahhh, AGE).

[@honey_bee65]

Does grey hair *TURN* *BACK???* A few times I've found hair that was completely grey but black again at the root!

[@ssseeeaaa]

Omg me too

[@tammileroux3329]

I found for myself that taking B vitamins has given me less gray hair. I can also tone down the color of gray if I buff my nails together. For some reason it alters the gray.

[@tayterz]

Started getting some grays when i turned 22. Now I gotta nice streak going at 26 and I love it! It gives my boring hair a lil something. Can't wait to be a chic salt pepper haired ol lady.

[@Cyber_Zombie]

I started getting grey hairs since I was 19

[@kronosbr]

I feel you Simon. Me and ALL our folicule handicaped brothers.

[@Stedman75]

Simons face in the thumbnail was one just screaming "dont @ me"

[@joshrogers6669]

I've had gray hair since I was 25. Now I just shave it. I dont have to hear "How old are you?" Whenever I went to great clips lol

[@BikerBytes]

Sounds like you’ve researched this topic extensively for some reason.

[@nice8D]

I feel that Simon looks quite devilishly handsome with a bald head.This is just my opinion though.

[@georgecrutchfield8734]

I am 70 years old and I still have most of the hair on my head and I have a mustache but I could never have a nice beard like yours!

[@kinglerxstbtpc]

I never thought that graying hair could be made to sound cool!

[@archer9338]

I met a girl once who had lost all her hair color during pregnancy. From head to toe, all her hair was white. It was beautiful.

[@christelheadington1136]

My family doesn't go grey on Dad's side, and very late, and just partially on Mom's.No baldness either. The rest of our bodies just fall apart.

[@melissareese7605]

Simon, you rock the bald look! Not everyone is so lucky.

[@helgabluestone2407]

What causes total alopecia and partial alopecia? What's female baldness caused by?

[@JJ-si4qh]

Please make a video about aging and if it can be cured!

[@DustyNonya]

Stress/Trauma related hair loss is brutal. When my Dad died in February a grave deal of my hair fell out...almost all of it the little dark hair I have left. Now I have this hilarious looking 3" under layer of hair that makes me look like Anthony Coleman from the SNL Skit LOL.

[@Willy_Tepes]

My hair turned grey around 40, but then I got rid of my biggest stress factor (my ex) and got my hair color back.

[@Class5Shtstorm]

my parents and others told me as a child that wearing the baseball hats i loved would result in me losing my hair.. I still wear my baseball hat til this day and still have a full head of hair.. im almost 40 and only slighly grey.. however my father and brother are balding and they never wore hats.. not sure if its relevant but I still feel fortunate!

[@xenxander]

I know. You're a male, and males love their hair. But bald can be sexy, you merely have to embrace it. If you embrace it, it won't let you down, and be your crutch, it will be your boon. For instance, Patrick Stewart bald is sexy, so embrace that.

[@LChem1]

20 years ago I was a mere 50. My hair began to gray. I was foliar feeding my garden with Superthrive. Stay With Me!.... After 2 months i noticed way less gray hair. Hair had more loft. Sweat smelled better. Those #!$@ age spots diminished. So i use Superthrive Plant Food as a multi mineral! 😎😱. Less gray today than 2000. What's in it?? Supposedly the 20 minerals that plants need.

[@LeilaLamb]

The first video I haven’t skipped today.

[@AngharadMac]

So if I can grow it down to my rear even with trimming it every 3 months I have a super long anagen cycle then? Wow Crystal Gayle must have had amazingly long growth cycles

[@paulqueripel3493]

Thanks, I thought that but couldn't remember her name.

[@Peggyt-jp6mt]

:20 |Broke out laughing. Simon is a master and his hair or lack of it is a trademark.