Why hair goes gray
Age, genes and chronic stress contribute, says UCI Health dermatologist
IN THE NEWS: Although the process of hair going gray is mostly age-related, other factors can alter the timeline.
UCI Health dermatologist Dr. Natasha Mesinkovska spoke with the Washington Post about the change that often begins in one’s 30s or 40s. That’s when melanocyte stem cells, which send pigment into the hair shaft, start to lose function.
But genes, nutritional deficiencies and stress can also make an impact.
“I do believe that chronic things exhaust you, and that’s why mice studies show — if you bug them nonstop, it will make them go gray.”
Mesinkovska recommends consulting a physician for any early-onset gray that is concerning.
Mesinkovska is an associate professor of dermatology and the vice chair for clinical research in the Department of Dermatology at the UC Irvine School of Medicine. She is also the director of integrative dermatology at the Beckman Laser Institute and a member of the National Alopecia Areata Foundation’s Scientific & Medical Advisory Task Force. She served as the foundation's chief scientific officer from 2015 to 2022.
A board-certified dermatologist, Mesinkovska specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders, including skin cancer. Her research interests include alopecia and dermatitis. She is the author or co-author of numerous peer-reviewed articles in major journals. She also is a principal investigator for several clinical trials involving alopecia, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and skin laxity.
Call UCI Health Dermatology Services for an appointment at 949-824-0606.
About UCI Health
UCI Health, one of California’s largest academic health systems, is the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. The 1,461-bed system comprises its main campus UCI Health — Orange, its flagship hospital, the UCI Health — Irvine acute care hospital and medical campus, four hospitals and affiliated physicians of the UCI Health Community Network in Orange and Los Angeles counties and a network of ambulatory care centers across the region. UCI Health — Orange provides tertiary and quaternary care and is home to the only Orange County-based National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, high-risk perinatal/neonatal program and American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, gold level 1 geriatric emergency department and regional burn center. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).