what accounts for the color change of hair-from black to white/brown as one grows old

Question: what accounts for the color change of hair-from black to white/brown as one grows old
- Keywords:
  hair
Asked by mace20fen to Sally, Mmboyi, Mike, Michael, Jacinta, Gliday, Elkana, Edna, Arnold on 17 Jul 2025.
- Michael Kimwele answered on 17 Jul 2025:
  
  As people age, their hair color often changes from black or brown to gray or white due to a decrease in melanin production within the hair follicles. This pigment, which gives hair its color, is produced by melanocytes in the hair follicles. With age, these melanocytes can produce less melanin or even stop producing it altogether, leading to lighter, gray, or white hairs.