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 is one of California’s largest academic health systems and the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. Established on July 1, 1976, UCI Health has grown into a 1,461-bed health system that includes UCI Health — Orange, UCI Health — Irvine, four Community Network hospitals and a growing network of ambulatory care centers across Orange and Los Angeles counties. As Orange County’s only academic health systems, UCI Health is home to the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center based in the county, the region’s only American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, American College of Emergency Physicians Gold Level 1 Geriatric Emergency Department and a nationally recognized regional burn center verified by the American Burn Association. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people across Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County through excellence in patient care, research and medical education. Follow UCI Health on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.