The key difference between white and grey hair lies in their melanin content. Grey hair contains a small amount of melanin, while white hair has zero melanin. This difference in melanin directly impacts their appearance and texture.
Melanin: The Pigment Behind Hair Color
Melanin is the pigment responsible for hair color. As we age, the production of melanin in hair follicles decreases. This reduction leads to the gradual appearance of grey and eventually white hair.
Visual and Textural Differences
- Color: Grey hair appears grey due to the presence of some remaining melanin, creating a mixture of pigmented and unpigmented strands. White hair, lacking any melanin, is completely unpigmented and appears white.
- Texture: Grey hair often has a smoother, shinier texture, whereas white hair tends to be drier, fluffier, and potentially frizzier. This difference in texture is linked to the absence or presence of melanin, influencing the hair's ability to retain moisture.
The "Salt and Pepper" Effect
The gradual transition from pigmented hair to grey and white often creates a mixed appearance sometimes referred to as the "salt and pepper" effect. This is a visual blend of dark (original hair color), grey, and white strands.
Scientific Perspective
Several sources confirm that the absence or presence of melanin is the defining factor. One source explains: "Grey hair has a little melanin in it while white hair has zero." [Glamour Magazine, Nov 17, 2023 & other sources]. This lack of melanin in white hair also contributes to its different texture, often described as "fluffy and frizzy" compared to the "slippy and shiny" quality of grey hair. [Glamour Magazine, Nov 17, 2023].
It's important to note that some sources suggest that true "grey" hair is actually an optical illusion, with the strands themselves being white, but appearing grey when present amongst still pigmented hair. [English Stack Exchange, Sept 14, 2013] This adds another layer of nuance to the distinction between grey and white hair.
