AS WE get older, some of us might notice the wrinkles, the body aches, and the grey hair multiplying.
When it comes to white hair, there's often an almost irresistible urge to pluck it out.
However, an old wives' tale says this could be making the situation worse as it is believed that pulling one strand would cause more white hair to grow in its place.
But it this true?
VERDICT
FALSE
If you ever pluck out one of the white hairs in your scalp, it does not mean ten strands will appear in that spot.
This is because each hair on your scalp grows on its own follicle, and functions independently by itself. So, plucking out one hair does not mean two or more strands will grow in that same follicle.
Now, to talk about white hair, we need to look at why this happens in the first place.
Inside every hair follicle live specialised pigment cells called melanocytes, and these cells produce melanin, which is the pigment that gives hair its natural colour.
And as we grow older, these cells gradually lose their ability to produce pigment.
Hence, why hair start to lose its colour and turn grey or white as it grows.
Typically, when a hair is plucked from its follicle, only one new hair will grow back in that location.
Medical experts have clarified that claims that many white hairs sprouting after plucking just one white hair are purely a superstition.
So, should one just keep plucking out white hairs to "look young". The answer is no.
Dermatologist Dr Shivangi Rana noted that while plucking doesn’t trigger more grey or white hair, it’s still not a harmless habit.
Repeatedly yanking out hair can damage the follicle permanently.
“When you pull the hair out, it causes trauma to the hair follicle. As a result, the hair that you're pulling out may just never come back.
"And that's why this is not advised,” she said.
So, savour your youthfulness when you still can, even if you have more white hair appearing on your head. If you need tips to stay young as you grow old, perhaps you can get some pointers from this link (https://www.thestar.com.my/
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