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What Causes Facial Grey Hair To Turn Red?

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Posted on Tue, 22 Mar 2016
Question: I am a 42yr old black male. Recently the grey hairs in my beard have started turning red. Any ideas on why this is happening?
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Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (14 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Melanocytes reactivation and bye products of melanin gives red color

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum.

I can understand your concern for facial gray hairs turning to red hair lately.

After reading your query and analyzing the complete situation let me reassure you that it is a normal process to get such kind of hair.

Let you understand basic medical facts regarding this condition- Our hair roots contains color forming cells known as melanocytes. These continuously secrete color pigment called as melanin into the hair shaft. During aging process after the age of 30-35 years these stops functioning in a skewed manner and accordingly the hair becomes grey slowly.

These melanocytes could be reactivated in few persons where it may get partially activated or fully activated. When these get fully activated then the hair could again turn brown to black. But if partially activated then the bye products of melanin could form varied colors. This varied color could appear as red pigment in the hair.

There is nothing to be worried in the same. I reassure you again that there is no abnormality in the same.
I hope this information will help you. If you have further queries I will be happy to help.

"Wish you good health”
Regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology)
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 4165 Questions

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What Causes Facial Grey Hair To Turn Red?

Brief Answer: Melanocytes reactivation and bye products of melanin gives red color Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum. I can understand your concern for facial gray hairs turning to red hair lately. After reading your query and analyzing the complete situation let me reassure you that it is a normal process to get such kind of hair. Let you understand basic medical facts regarding this condition- Our hair roots contains color forming cells known as melanocytes. These continuously secrete color pigment called as melanin into the hair shaft. During aging process after the age of 30-35 years these stops functioning in a skewed manner and accordingly the hair becomes grey slowly. These melanocytes could be reactivated in few persons where it may get partially activated or fully activated. When these get fully activated then the hair could again turn brown to black. But if partially activated then the bye products of melanin could form varied colors. This varied color could appear as red pigment in the hair. There is nothing to be worried in the same. I reassure you again that there is no abnormality in the same. I hope this information will help you. If you have further queries I will be happy to help. "Wish you good health” Regards, Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia MD (Dermatology)