What Causes White Hair

White hair has always been something of a mystery. Sure, as people age, they go white – everybody knows that. But up until recently, no one really understood why white hair is a common “side effect” of aging. There are all sorts of “beliefs” around the causes of white hair like too much stress or teenagers.


Researchers Take On White Hair

One of the reasons that we know so little about the causes of white hair is because no one has really tried to figure it out. But now, with some many people aging and interested in looking younger, the business case for figuring out white hair is very becoming compelling. Here is what they have figured out:


Hydrogen Peroxide Causes White Hair

As you age, the amount of hydrogen peroxide in your hair increases. This happens because hydrogen peroxide (believe it or not) is produced naturally in your body. When levels in hair build up, it (essentially) bleaches out your normal hair color and leaves with white hair.


Why Does Hydrogen Peroxide Build Up and Cause White Hair?

What happens is that an enzyme in your body (called catalase) usually breaks down the hydrogen peroxide. But, as you age, your body produces less and less catalase, leaving a surplus of hydrogen peroxide.