Gray hare, no care
It was a quiet evening in the hostel when Aala let out a shriek that could have easily been mistaken for a fire alarm. I ran into the room, stethoscope still around my neck, only to find her frozen in front of the mirror, eyes widened, lips trembling. “Risalath…” she whispered. “I have a white hair.” I blinked, unimpressed. “That’s it? You scared me like it was a code blue emergency!” But for her, it was. She looked betrayed – not by a person, but by her own scalp.
We stood in front of the mirror like two investigators at a crime scene. She kept pointing. I kept inspecting. And there it was – one shiny strand of silver rebellion among the crowd of jet black. “Should I pluck it?” she asked, almost in tears. “No,” I replied, “you’ll only anger the other melanocytes.” She looked horrified. “You mean more will come?” I smiled. “No Aala, that’s a myth. Plucking one hair doesn’t cause ten more to grow. That’s how aunties gossip, not how biology works.”
Graying is a natural, biological process – not a personal insult from your hair follicles. Hair color comes from melanin, which is produced by melanocytes located in the hair bulb. As we age, or due to certain conditions, these melanocytes either slow down or stop producing melanin. That’s when your hair starts to turn gray, silver, or white. In Aala’s case, this happened before she even hit 23. And she’s not alone – premature graying is surprisingly common today.
Aala isn’t a grandmother. She’s a final-year medical student, fueled by caffeine, late-night roti rolls, and deadlines. So what gives? Turns out, premature graying can be triggered by several factors:
Genetics: The number one cause. If your parents started graying early, your hair might just follow family tradition.
Vitamin Deficiencies: Particularly B12, D3, iron, copper, and folic acid. Deficiencies affect pigment-producing cells.
Thyroid Dysfunction: Hypothyroidism can disrupt melanin synthesis.
Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions like vitiligo and alopecia areata may also target pigment cells.
Stress: Chronic cortisol elevation accelerates oxidative stress at the follicular level.
Smoking: Scientific studies show smokers are 2.5 times more likely to grey prematurely.
Hormonal Imbalances: Especially in PCOS and adrenal conditions.
Oxidative Damage: Free radicals damage cells, including melanocytes.
So, yes. Aala’s greying hair was not because she watched too many sad Turkish dramas or argued too much with her mom. It was likely a mix of stress, genetics, and nutritional gaps – all fixable, all human.
Let’s talk stress. Hostel life isn’t exactly a wellness retreat. Sleepless nights, emotional ups and downs, deadlines, viva anxiety, the constant balancing act of being a student and an adult – all these contribute to rising cortisol levels. Cortisol is the body’s stress hormone, and when chronically elevated, it can damage hair follicles, leading to premature greying and hair fall. And no, meditation videos alone don’t fix this. We need rest, real food, and realistic expectations – from ourselves and others.
Aala contemplated dyeing her hair like she was planning a secret operation. “But if I dye it, I’ll have to keep doing it forever, right?” she asked. My answer? “Only if you’re doing it for you. If you’re doing it for society, don’t even start.” Dyes are okay – but be cautious. Avoid those with harsh chemicals like PPD (para-phenylenediamine) and ammonia, which can cause allergic reactions or long-term scalp damage. Natural alternatives like henna or herbal blends exist, but don’t expect salon-level magic.
Also, if you see people offering homemade recipes involving coffee, tea, or burnt amla – proceed with humor, not hope. Those might make your kitchen smell nice, but they won’t restore melanin.
Most of the time, a strand or two is harmless. But if greying is rapid and comes with other symptoms – like fatigue, irregular periods, low mood, weight changes, or heavy hair fall – it may indicate a deeper issue. Aala, being the medical nerd she is, eventually agreed to run some labs. Turned out, she was mildly anemic and borderline hypothyroid. With treatment, her hair quality improved – and her confidence too.
This is why we shouldn’t just label girls as “overthinking” when they worry about appearance. Sometimes, the body is sending signals through subtle signs like skin texture, nail changes, or yes – greying hair.
Aala’s biggest fear wasn’t the hair itself – it was them. The people who’ll notice, comment, gossip. The relatives who’ll whisper, “She’s getting old” before they ask how her degree is going. But the truth is, people will always have something to say -whether you glow, grey, grow, or grieve. You can’t pluck opinions out of their heads like you can from your own scalp.
I told Aala, “You’re not here to be liked. You’re here to live.” Gray hair won’t reduce your worth, dim your brain, or scare away the right person. It’s a badge. Of stress survived. Of nights studied. Of heartbreaks healed. Of being a woman in this world and still showing up.
That night, Aala looked at herself in the mirror one last time. The silver hair still stood proud, refusing to hide. She didn’t pull it out. She didn’t cry. She smiled, tied her hair up, and whispered, “Maybe I’m just aging like wisdom.” And I smiled too. Because for the first time, she didn’t see that strand as failure – she saw it as proof that she was growing up, not growing old.
Gray is not a weakness. It’s survival ink, drawn on your scalp by time, stress, and strength.
And as for Aala? She’s not covering it anymore. She’s owning……
