This Is Why You Have Gray Hair

Gray hair is a rite of passage that happens to virtually everyone by the age of 50 (and usually starts much sooner). Despite its commonality, why hair grays has remained much of a mystery, until now.

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

• An international team of researchers has discovered the first gene linked to gray hair

• The gene has previously been linked to blonde hair in Europeans and is now connected to gray hair as well

• The gene accounted for about 30% of hair graying among study participants