This is why you should never pull out a grey hair

Greys on your head are inevitable as you age. While some people believe that plucking them will trigger more unwanted hairs to appear, this is actually a myth. They aren’t contagious. But this is not the reason why you should avoid pulling your greys out. This is what hair specialists say.

Leave your greys alone

According to Trey Gillen, hairstylist and creative director of education at SACHAJUAN, there are almost zero benefits to the temporary departure of a grey strand. In fact, it can even be damaging.

Only one hair grows per follicle. When it turns grey or white, the pigment cells in that follicle have already died. So, pulling it out will only get you new grey hair in its place. It makes plucking pretty much pointless as it simply delays the inevitable.

What you should be aware of is that fidgeting with your greys can be damaging.

Gillen said:

Plucking can traumatise the hair follicle, and you can damage it to the point where it will no longer grow any hair. Forget about having grey hair—you won't have any hair there at all.

If you're a serial plucker, repeated 'plucking trauma' can even cause infection, scar formation, and bald patches, resulting in hair loss and thinner hair.

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Plucking Consequences

Plucking greys is not as straightforward as it seems. The reason people think more greys appear when they pull off the unwanted hairs is that they look and feel more noticeable on your scalp.

When the follicle produces less melanin, it tends to produce less sebum as well, so grey hair has a different texture from the rest of your pigmented strands. The regrowth can look wiry, coarse and thick.

What if you can’t help it?

The best thing to do if you notice grey hair is to ignore it. If you can't help it, consider dyeing it back to its original colour.

If there is a grey strand you absolutely must get rid of, very carefully cut it off instead of plucking it.

Or why not embrace a natural look as a crown of wisdom?

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Sources used:

- Real Simple: 'Why You Should Avoid Plucking Gray Hairs, According to Hairstylists'