When your hair begins to turn gray is often determined by genetics. Hair follicles produce a pigment (called melanin) that is responsible for hair colour. Usually beginning in the 30s, hair follicles start to produce less melanin, resulting in gray hair. The gradual process involves the hairs first turning gray and eventually becoming white. Hair located on other regions of the body such as the face, underarms, chest and pubic area can also change, but often times the degree of graying is less in these areas than hair on the head. Other noticeable signs of aging surrounding hair include increasing hair loss and the shaft of each hair becoming smaller (finer). Although there is no treatment available to reverse this obvious sign of maturity, the best basic care that you can give your hair is to eat a balanced diet and wash and condition regularly. Other qualities of aging hair include diminished luster, density, and increased dryness (causing dandruff) and brittleness (especially from the use of hair dyes and perms). Regular use of hair conditioners, especially one that contains an anti-dandruff ingredient, is a great way to restore adequate moisture levels to the hair shaft, as well as being able to address the problem of scaling and flaking of the scalp.
