What's up with these gray hairs?

[karen]

I have these gray hairs that stick out of my head that are about one inch long. Rarely will I find a gray hair where it's the whole strand. I have started plucking these gray hairs and find they have a different texture than the rest of my hair. The grays are pretty thin. It's not true for every hair you pluck 2 more grow in its place is it?

[Toni]

Originally Posted by karen

I have these gray hairs that stick out of my head that are about one inch long. Rarely will I find a gray hair where it's the whole strand. I have started plucking these gray hairs and find they have a different texture than the rest of my hair. The grays are pretty thin. It's not true for every hair you pluck 2 more grow in its place is it?

No, I don't think that's true Karen. It just seems that way cause once hair goes gray (losing its color pigmentation), it just takes off.

Yes, gray hair is usually much coarser than the hair you have grown fond of. That is why they have a mind of their own "sticking" out. Some gray hair is so resistant that it can be quite a challenge when curling or perming. The thinness you are experiencing is probably due to the lack of color pigments, therefore making them less 'full' of a hair strand.

[looneytoons]

Another gray question: Why would one get a gray hair at the age of 6? This was when I had my first gray hair... it has always confused me.

[Indigo]

My husband's father was completely gray by age 18. His mother who is in her 60's still have very few gray hairs. I think that may be why my husband is still not completely gray although he has a lot.

[Jules]

I have the same problem too with my grays. I have straight hair and these gray hairs are wavy!! It's weird. I try to pull them out too.

[Twisted]

I am just starting to have some gray hairs pop up and I am liking it one bit. I have dark brown hair so when they show up it is hard to hide them. They haven't gotten so bad that I have to color it yet but I have a feeling it won't be long. I pluck them even though you aren't supposed to but I just have to when I see them.

[Toni]

Originally Posted by looneytoons

Another gray question: Why would one get a gray hair at the age of 6? This was when I had my first gray hair... it has always confused me.

Wow, I have heard of gray hair showing up when you are young, yet I have not talked to anyone as young as you were. I do know when people gray pre-maturely, it can be caused by genetics. Sometimes it's a shock to the system such as illness or aggressive medications to name a few. Gray hair is simply your hair that is lacking in the natural color pigments. There could be a number of reasons why this stops being produced.

[looneytoons]

Originally Posted by Toni

Wow, I have heard of gray hair showing up when you are young, yet I have not talked to anyone as young as you were. I do know when people gray pre-maturely, it can be caused by genetics. Sometimes it's a shock to the system such as illness or aggressive medications to name a few. Gray hair is simply your hair that is lacking in the natural color pigments. There could be a number of reasons why this stops being produced.

I'm hoping that genetics doesn't affect me too much when it comes to gray hairs... My mom has been dying over her grays for many years now! Is it strange that I got the one gray hair then and have only found one or two since?

[bedhead]

Sometimes people get gray hair early because of stress, but a lot of times, it is just hereditary somewhere down the line. My friend had a fullhead of gray hair by the time he was 14 years old.

[iralien]

Gray hair can also be caused by having thyroid problems. I am hypothyroid, and my hair started graying at an early age. I wouldn't mind so much but my hair is straight and fine, and the gray ones are kinky and really show up.....