EXPLAINER: Why you should never pull out that gray hair

Spotting your first silver strand can feel like a sudden wake-up call, but plucking it out does more harm to your scalp than good.

You stare at yourself in the bathroom mirror before getting ready for work. Under the harsh white light, you suddenly notice something unfamiliar near your temple — a single strand of gray hair.

For a few seconds, you pause.

Should you pull it out or just leave it alone?

For many Filipinos, spotting the first gray hair feels like a small but unforgettable moment. It usually arrives somewhere between stressful work deadlines, rising bills, sleepless nights, and realizing recovery from puyat now takes longer than it used to.

And for most people, the first instinct is simple: bunutin agad.

But experts say pulling out gray hair is actually a bad idea.

Contrary to the popular belief many Filipinos grew up hearing, plucking one gray hair will not cause more gray hairs to grow back. However, repeatedly pulling hair out can damage the follicle underneath the scalp.

Over time, this repeated trauma may lead to thinning hair, bald spots, or even ingrown hairs in the affected area. In some cases, bacteria can also enter the open follicle and cause irritation or infection.

Another reality many people do not realize is that the hair will usually grow back gray anyway.

Once the pigment-producing cells in a hair follicle stop functioning, the strand loses its natural color permanently. Pulling it out does not restore the original black hair. In fact, some regrown gray hairs may even appear thicker or more wiry, making them stand out more.

Instead of plucking, hair experts recommend safer alternatives for managing stray gray strands.

One option is to simply trim the hair close to the scalp using small scissors. Others use temporary root concealers or mild hair color products to blend gray strands naturally. Some Filipinos also choose to embrace the change entirely, treating gray hair as a normal part of aging rather than something embarrassing.

Today, attitudes toward gray hair are slowly changing. Younger generations are becoming more accepting of natural aging, while silver and ash-gray hair colors have even become trendy in salons.

At the end of the day, one gray strand is hardly something to panic over.

So the next time you spot that first silver hair while getting ready in front of the mirror, it may be better to resist the urge to pull it out. Your scalp will probably thank you later.

 

 

Contrary to the popular belief many Filipinos grew up hearing, plucking one gray hair will not cause more gray hairs to grow back. However, repeatedly pulling hair out can damage the follicle underneath the scalp.

 

 

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