Gray hair management: Do it like this? You'll regret it later.

Many people pluck white hairs because they find them unsightly. However, it is better not to pluck them and to leave them as they are or cut them. Plucking white hairs can lead to hair loss.

There are melanocytes at the hair follicle tips. They are responsible for producing the pigment that determines hair color. If this area fails to function properly due to aging, pigment synthesis cannot occur. As a result, white hair grows, which is called 'gray hair.' Once gray hair appears, it does not easily disappear.

First, forcibly plucking gray hairs can stimulate hair follicles and cause traction alopecia.

Traction alopecia mainly occurs when hair is pulled or yanked, or when the hair is tied tightly. Additionally, if the scalp is irritated, the hair follicles weaken, making it difficult for new hair to grow from the weakened follicles. The total number of hairs that can grow from scalp follicles over a lifetime is fixed. Although it varies from person to person, it is usually around 25 to 35. Once this number is exceeded, no more hair will grow. If gray hair is bothersome, it is better to trim or dye only the gray hairs so they are less noticeable. However, excessive dyeing can cause dermatitis due to the para-phenylenediamine component in hair dye, so caution is advised.

A habit of gently massaging the scalp with a round comb helps prevent gray hair.

Massage helps improve scalp blood circulation, which benefits scalp and hair health. You can tap your hair thoroughly with a blunt-ended comb or press on your scalp with your fingertips to acupressure. Conversely, alcohol consumption and smoking constrict scalp capillaries, which hinders blood circulation, so they should be avoided as much as possible.

Eating foods that are good for scalp health is also beneficial. The main foods include black beans and black sesame seeds.

Black beans help improve blood circulation, making hair dark and shiny, while black sesame seeds are rich in keratin, a protein that aids in hair growth. Seaweeds such as kelp and sea mustard, which are rich in minerals, also help strengthen hair.