For generations, people have debated the consequences of pulling out a grey hair, often citing a warning that removing one will cause several more to appear in its place. This impulse to remove a single silver strand is common, but the biological reality of plucking a hair is frequently misunderstood. Understanding the hair growth cycle and the function of the follicle reveals the true effects of this action, clarifying the facts about the replacement hair’s color and the potential trauma inflicted on the scalp.
Debunking the Myth of More Grey Hairs
The idea that plucking a single grey hair causes a multitude of others to sprout is a common misconception that lacks any scientific basis. Each hair follicle on the scalp operates as an independent unit, producing only one hair shaft at a time. Pulling a hair from its root does not send a biological signal to surrounding follicles to prematurely cease their pigment production.
The process of greying in neighboring hairs is predetermined by genetics and the natural aging process. Removing one grey hair does not accelerate the greying timeline of the rest of your hair. The follicle that was emptied will eventually grow a new hair to replace the one that was extracted.
The Color of the Replacement Hair
While plucking one hair will not cause others to turn grey, the replacement hair that grows in its place will almost certainly be the same color. Hair color is determined by specialized cells within the hair follicle called melanocytes, which produce the pigment melanin. Greying begins when these melanocytes become depleted or stop functioning effectively.
Once a follicle’s melanocytes have failed, the hair it produces will lack pigment, appearing grey, silver, or white. When the old hair is forcibly removed, the follicle is pre-programmed to continue its current function. The new hair shaft that emerges from the same follicle will also be unpigmented, as plucking merely resets the growth cycle without restoring the ability to produce melanin.
Physical Damage Caused by Plucking
Despite the debunking of the multiplication myth, plucking a hair is still not recommended due to the potential for physical trauma to the scalp. Forcibly extracting a hair shaft from the root causes immediate trauma to the hair follicle structure, which can lead to inflammation and irritation.
Repeated plucking of the same follicle over time increases the risk of more serious and lasting damage. Chronic trauma can damage the hair papilla, the structure responsible for hair production. This repeated irritation can cause scar tissue to form within the follicle, a condition known as traction alopecia. This scarring can permanently seal the follicle, preventing future hair growth and leading to noticeable thinning or a small bald patch.