logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2024
4m 53s

Why does our hair turn grey as we get ol...

BABABAM
About this episode

Discovering your first grey hair can be quite the shock. After all, it marks the onset of an irreversible change. And the fact that it’s a natural process is often of little consolation. 

The culprits, if you want to think about it like that, behind our hair turning grey are the melanocytes contained in each of our hair follicles. These cells contain melanin, which is the natural pigment responsible for our hair colour, whether that be brown, blonde, black or ginger. 

Are you saying that pulling out single grey hairs is pointless then? Why do some people get their first grey hair at 50 while for others it happens as early as 20? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

To listen to the last episodes, you can click here:

Why do mouth sounds drive some people crazy?

Why does Ramadan start on a different date each year?

How can I move house stress-free?

A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

In partnership with upday UK.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Up next
Today
Why do couples often look alike?
You may remember we talked about whether or not opposites attract in a recent episode of Do You Really Know. As it turns out, more often than not, couples tend to share a lot of characteristics, and it’s relatively rare for them to be substantially different. When you think about ... Show More
5m 11s
Today
Could textertunism be damaging your friendships?
Is there anyone in your phone contacts who only seems to text you when they need something? It might be a nice surprise at first when you see their name on your notifications, but then when you read the content of their message, the real reason for them reaching out becomes obvio ... Show More
4m 43s
Today
What foods should you avoid to lose belly fat?
Losing belly fat is a common health and wellness goal. The fat we consume in excess is stored in specialized cells called adipocytes, and its distribution varies between men and women. For men, it’s more likely to accumulate on the belly, while for women, it tends to be on the th ... Show More
4m 36s
Recommended Episodes
May 2024
Why does hair turn grey when we age?
#187 This episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life' delves into the fascinating world of gray hair, exploring its chemistry and biological processes. Hosts Melissa and Jam share personal anecdotes about encountering gray hair before diving into a detailed explanation of how hair turns ... Show More
53m 6s
May 2022
The Shocking White Hair
Why does human hair go grey and is it ever possible for it to go white overnight from shock? Hannah and Adam explore why hair goes grey, how much stressful life events and a lack of sleep can speed up the process. They hear from the pilot whose hair turned white after a flight wh ... Show More
27m 37s
Apr 2023
Sawbones: Going Grey
Why do people start losing the pigment in their hair as they grow older? Well, it might be one of those things that we don't entirely understand, though there are some new studies that offer some ideas. But that didn't stop people throughout history from trying to find ways to ke ... Show More
37m 2s
May 2022
Growing Old Grey-sfully
This week we are talking grey hairs! We discuss the perception of grey haired older men vs women within society and read out your thoughts and opinions! Get involved on Instagram @thedoublecleansepodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. 
32m 50s
Oct 2023
Why Gray Hair Is Coming For You
As a kid, host Aaron Scott would dress up for Halloween as an older version of himself — complete with a cane, a set of polyester britches and painted gray hair. These days, that costume is becoming a bit more of a day-to-day reality. At least, the gray hair is. So today, in hono ... Show More
10m 38s
Sep 2021
SMNTY Classics: Do blondes really have more fun?
Do redheads have it worst? Listen in to learn more about history's original ""dumb blonde"" and how yellow hair took on its various meanings -- including how and why hair color colors our perceptions of people in this classic episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://w ... Show More
38m 46s
Nov 2021
31: What causes gray hair, coloring tips & transitioning to silver | Hair stylist & colorist Christin Brown
"You have the power to pick what serves you, and what no longer serves you," says hair stylist & colorist Christin Brown—and that includes hair color, we might add. In this episode of Clean Beauty School, host and mindbodygreen's beauty director Alexandra Engler chats with Brown ... Show More
49m 7s
Aug 2023
How To Naturally Reverse Premature Graying of Hair
Find out what you can do to prevent premature graying of your hair. 
6m 49s