Does Plucking Gray or White Hairs Actually Make More Grow Back?

Redheads are less likely to get gray or white patches like those with other hair colors. Instead, red hair tends to fade with age and eventually turn white. That being said you may notice some gray or white hairs pop up every now and again. This might leave you wondering if plucking them out will lead to more growth in their place. 

The simple fact is no, this is not possible.

UMASHealth.com studied this and doctor Dr. Shaskank Kraleti, M.D., explained the medical science behind this myth. “Plucking a gray hair will only get you a new gray hair in its place because there is only one hair that is able to grow per follicle. Your surrounding hairs will not turn white until their own follicles’ pigment cells die.”

Basically, when you pluck gray or white hair, you leave one hair follicle open. This means one single hair can grow in its place. That hair will be gray or white as well, which might be why the myth of more white hairs growing in its place started. The reason the hair will grow back gray or white is that the hair follicle is no longer producing pigment. 

READ: What Colors Look Best With Gray/White Hair That Was Once Red?

So, what do you do when you see a gray/white hair?

“If there is a gray hair you must get rid of, very carefully cut it off,” says Kraleti. “Plucking can traumatize the hair follicle, and repeated trauma to any follicle can cause infection, scar formation or possibly lead to bald patches.”

If you’re suffering from fading red hair or seeing a lot of gray or white, it might be time to start doing some red maintenance. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to maintain your red hair, so don’t be ashamed if you start coloring it or using color depositing products, you’re still a natural redhead.

READ: 5 Tips for Redheads Transitioning to Gray/White Hair

It’s also okay to embrace your new hair color! Fading hair is a sign of age and wisdom, so no matter what you decide to do, Rock it like a Redhead! 

SHOP: Fading Red Hair? Shop Color Depositing Shampoo for Redheads 

 

Rock it like a Redhead!