Can Stress Really Cause White Hair?
- Fysiobasen
- Dec 2
- 3 min read
How Does Hair Get Its Color?
Hair color is determined by the amount and type of melanin produced by cells called melanocytes, located in hair follicles.These cells transfer pigment to the growing hair shaft.When melanin production stops, hair grows out colorless — appearing gray or white.
What Happens as We Age?
As people get older, melanocytes naturally lose function and eventually die off.When they stop producing melanin, hair gradually turns gray or white — and this change is usually permanent.However, new evidence shows that stress may accelerate this process by directly affecting stem cells in the hair follicle.
How Can Stress Affect Hair Color?
A groundbreaking Harvard University study (2020) found that intense stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, which in turn affects the stem cells that maintain melanocytes in hair follicles.
When these stem cells are depleted, the follicle can no longer produce pigment — causing new hair to grow in white.
The biological chain reaction looks like this:
Stress triggers a surge in norepinephrine (noradrenaline).
This stress hormone causes melanocyte stem cells to either die or leave the follicle.
Without these stem cells, pigment cannot be restored in the next hair growth cycle.
Why Understanding This Connection Matters
Provides new insight into how psychological and physiological stress influence aging.
Opens possibilities for future treatments for pigment disorders.
Reinforces the importance of stress management for both internal and external health.
Limitations of Current Research
While stress can influence hair color, it’s not the only factor.Genetics play the dominant role — most people start graying naturally in their 30s or 40s, regardless of stress levels.Emerging research on gray hair reversal has shown promise, but it mainly applies to recently grayed hairs, not long-term pigment loss.
Can White Hair Turn Dark Again?
In some cases, yes.Studies have shown that recently grayed hair can regain pigment when stress is reduced, especially in younger individuals whose melanocyte stem cells are still active.However, in older adults, pigment loss is typically irreversible.
How to Protect Your Hair Color
Manage stress: Techniques like mindfulness, meditation, exercise, and quality sleep can reduce physiological stress responses.
Nutrition: Antioxidants, vitamins (especially B12 and D), and minerals such as zinc support healthy cell function and may slow early graying.
Avoid smoking: Smoking is strongly linked to premature graying and skin aging.
Healthy lifestyle: Balanced diet, consistent sleep, and physical activity help maintain normal stem cell function.
Summary
Yes — stress can cause white hair, especially during periods of intense or prolonged strain.It does so by depleting the stem cells that generate pigment in hair follicles.Although genetics and age remain the main causes of gray hair, chronic stress can accelerate the process.By taking care of both your physical and mental health, you can help preserve your natural hair color for longer.
Sources
Tobin DJ. Introduction to hair pigmentation. J Invest Dermatol Symp Proc. 2005;10(3):240–244.
Peters EMJ, et al. Hair and stress: a pilot study on the effects of stress on hair pigmentation. Exp Dermatol. 2013;22(1):54–57.
Zhang B, Ma S, Rachmin I, et al. Hyperactivation of sympathetic nerves drives depletion of melanocyte stem cells. Nature. 2020;577(7792):676–681.
Shi Y, et al. Stress-induced norepinephrine accelerates hair graying through depletion of melanocyte stem cells. Nat Med. 2020;26(2):314–324.
Rosenberg A, et al. Quantitative mapping of human hair greying and reversal in relation to life stress. eLife. 2021;10:e67437.
Nahm M, Navarini AA, Kelly EW. Canities subita: a reappraisal of evidence based on 196 case reports published in the medical literature. Int J Trichology. 2013;5(2):63–68.
