Why does our hair turn gray?

Answer: Melanocytes stop making pigment

Melanocytes stop making pigment ✓ — Correct! Hair color comes from melanin produced by melanocyte cells in hair follicles. As you age, these cells gradually produce less melanin and eventually stop altogether. The hair grows without pigment, appearing gray or white. This happens due to oxidative stress, hydrogen peroxide buildup, and stem cell depletion in follicles. Genetics determines when this process starts for you.

Hair absorbs less sunlight — Wrong. Hair doesn't get color from absorbing sunlight. Gray hair occurs when melanocyte cells in follicles stop producing melanin pigment due to aging, oxidative stress, and cellular changes.

Blood flow to scalp decreases — Wrong. While scalp circulation may change with age, gray hair specifically results from melanocyte cells losing their ability to produce melanin pigment in the hair follicle.