Stop plucking grey hair or be ready to face these side effects

Put an end to your grey hair plucking or prepare for these negative effects.

Have you noticed your first grey hair and felt compelled to comb it out? Avoid plucking your grey hair as it has negative effects.

Though some may start experiencing the process earlier, most people start turning gray in their 30s. The majority of women prefer to hide it by cutting off the damaged hair strands or using hair color. However, some people choose to remove their first gray hair when they notice it. There are adverse effects associated with plucking grey hair, so it's best to stop now.

What causes grey hair?

Basically, grey hair is a byproduct of aging naturally. As people age, their bodies produce less melanin, the pigment that gives our hair its color, according to dermatologist Dr. Sameer Apte. Melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment, are found in each hair follicle. These cells eventually cease to produce melanin as we age and become less active over time. As a result, hair appears white or gray.

Apart from the natural ageing process, several other key factors contribute to the onset of grey hair.

• Genetics
• Exposure to environmental pollutants
• Smoking
• Nutritional deficiencies, particularly in vitamins like B12 and minerals like iron.
• Stress

Does plucking grey hair cause more grey hair to grow?

The expert says it's a myth that plucking grey hair encourages more grey hair to grow. The melanocytes that produce hair color and the surrounding hair follicles are unaffected by plucking grey hair. Plucking one hair does not affect the others because each hair follicle functions independently of the others. New hair may appear as the hair grows back, and it may be grey or white in color in different degrees. This may give the false impression that plucking encourages the growth of more gray hair, but it's just the way hair grows naturally. Nevertheless, frequent hair plucking may eventually harm hair follicles and cause hair loss; this is independent of the hair's color.

What are the side effects of plucking grey hair?

Pulling out grey hair  doesn’t mean you will lose all your black hair, but there are some side effects.

1. Risk of infection

By exposing your hair follicles to bacteria, plucking may result in folliculitis, which can be uncomfortable and cause redness and swelling. According to Dr. Apte, it is a disorder where the hair follicle becomes infected or inflamed, resulting in a skin condition that frequently resembles acne.

2. Ingrown hair

The natural growth direction of grey hair can be changed by plucking, which increases the risk of ingrown hairs. They develop when the hair curls back into the skin, which may lead to infection, red bumps, and inflammation.

3. Skin irritation

The redness, itching, or burning sensation that results from plucking can all be signs of irritation. You should exercise caution if you have sensitive skin since you may be more vulnerable to these kinds of reactions.

4. Follicle damage

growth of new hair. It could occasionally result in irreversible hair loss.

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5. Hyperpigmentation or scarring

You may get dark patches where your hair used to be if you are a chronic plucker. Similar-area trauma can result in scarring, which can impair the skin's general health and possibly prevent new hair growth.

6. Hair shaft distortion

The hair shaft may become distorted during plucking. According to the expert, this may cause the regrown hair to appear coarser than the original hair..

7. Uneven hair growth

Your hair may grow back at different rates as a result of plucking, which can disrupt the natural growth cycle of your hair. Uneven lengths and textures can result from this, and grey hair may stand out as having come back coarser or a different color.