We all want beautiful, healthy hair, but sometimes our hair can surprise us with unexpected changes. One of these changes can be the appearance of white tips at the ends of our hair. It’s a common problem that many people struggle with, but what causes it?
In this guide, we’ll discuss the potential reasons why the tips of your hair may be turning white and provide solutions to this hair issue.
What Is White Tipped Hair?
White tip hair has a white bulb at the end of a single hair strand. You may see when it sheds or falls off. Although white tip hair and hair loss are related, they differ in many ways.
White tip hair often seems something to be concerned about. But it is quite a natural process of your overall hair growth.
Remember, hair growth doesn’t only mean birth and incensement, it also includes the death of each hair.
On the other hand, hair loss is something actually to worry about. If you see excessive hair fall, which is more abnormal than usual, you should consult your Dermatologist or Hair styling expert as soon as possible.
Reasons Behind Growing White Tipped Hair
Having white-tip hair is a natural phase in your hair growth. Still, you may get it prematurely if you lack care for your hair. There might be multiple reasons behind growing white-tipped hair. Some of the most common causes are-
- Often Styling Hair With Artificial Products
Artificial hair styling products often contain harmful elements marketed as safe products. But you don’t know what it has inside.
Most products that color your hair or bleach contain those elements.
Using them to style your hair sometimes is okay. But if you use them too frequently, it may be why your hair is damaged and you have white-tip hair.
- Brushing Your Hair Using The Wrong Technique
There is a right way to brush our hair. And yes, you’ve been doing it wrongly for a long time.
Brushing your hair in the wrong direction can cause excessive hair fall, white bulbs in the hair end and many other hair issues.
- Swimming In Pool/Saltwater
If you often swim in swimming pools or salt water, your hair can get dried and damaged faster.
You already know that pool water contains a lot of Chlorine, and Saltwater also contains non-suitable particles for our hair.
These elements can easily damage your hair. As a result, you may get white tip hair before the natural phase.
- Excessive Friction
Friction in your hair means any object touching your hair and continuing to do it. For instance, your pillowcase creates friction in your hair on a regular basis. Rubber bands that you use to tie your hair can also create friction.
Using rough clothes for a pillow case or a rubber band can eventually damage your hair.
Try using silk or satin pillowcases instead of cotton ones. And use silk or satin scrunchies instead of using rubber bands.
- Too Much Chemical Treatment
Chemical treatments are nowadays very popular. People enthusiastic about experimenting with their hair develop it, like chemical treatments. But be careful to choose a safe option unless you will destroy your hair.
It is always suggested to go for natural treatments first.
Hair Growth Cycle Phase
We all know, the lifespan of a single hair is 2 to 7 years. Having white tip hair is basically a part of the hair growth phase.
You’ll get a far clear understanding of it if you get to know the stages. Let’s learn about your hair growth and lifespan.
- Anagen Phase
We found that the anagen phase is the growth phase or active phase of the hair.
Usually, this phase continues to work for 2 to 6 years. In this phase, hair growth is at its optimum level.
The new Anagen hair pushes up the old hair and continues to grow. New hair follicles like this continue to grow in this phase for the whole period.
- Catagen Phase
The catagen phase is the resting phase of hair growth.
In this phase, mainly your hair follicles stop growing and start to get detached from your blood supply. This process or stage can be there for two weeks to four months.
- Telogen Phase
The telogen phase is when your body prepares to shed the hair.
It means the shedding process starts at this phase. This phase separates the strands from the hair follicles and pushes them towards the outside with a white bulb at the strand end.
The process may take three months to complete. The telogen phase is the main period when white-tip hair happens.
- Exogen Phase
The exogen phase is the main hair shedding phase. It’s the time when the old hair ultimately falls out. Beneath the old hair, a new Anagen hair takes place and starts to grow it.
Sometimes some hair does not reach the Exogen phase and sheds in the Telogen phase already.
But there isn’t anything to worry about. When an old hair sheds with a white bulb, mainly new hair grows underneath.
Connection Between White Tipped Hair And Hair Loss
As you’re aware of the hair growth phases and understand the function of each stage now, you understand the connection between white tip hair and hair loss.
A white tip or bulb in your hair end is a sign that your hair has gone older and it’s time to shed off. So, once you have white tip hair, there will be definite hair loss.
But it’s not similar to massive hair loss like Telogen Effluvium or Male Pattern Baldness. Those are very severe cases of hair loss. They might include serious symptoms like way too much hair and excessive than usual.
How To Prevent White Tipped Hair
To be honest, there is nothing to prevent white-tip hair. It’s going to come once your hair reaches the Telogen phase. But, to minimize the harmful effect or avoid the uncontrollability, you can work on some things.
Moreover, doing these will ensure your overall health care.
- Trim The Hair Ends
Trim the ends of your hair when you see white bulbs. You should generally trim hair to avoid split ends and let your hair grow healthily.
- Maintain A Proper Hair Care Routine
Give some extra effort and maintain a proper hair care routine. Prioritize using natural remedies according to your hair porosity and quality type.
- Take Hair Treatment If Needed
If your hair is already damaged, consult a Dermatologist or hair care specialist and get a customized treatment.
- Maintain A Diet Dedicated For Your Hair
Redesign your regular diet and add nutrients that help keep your hair healthy.
You can also add hair care supplements to your diet if you don’t have to reach the foods and nutrients you want for your hair.
- Avoid Or Use Less Heat Styling Tools
It would be best if you avoid heat styling tools. But it’s only sometimes possible as we love to style our hair on different occasions. So, you can minimize the use, and before applying heat, use a heat protection hair serum or cream.
Why Does My Hair Have White Tips?
As we mentioned earlier the possible reasons and causes about it.
However,the presence of white tips on your hair can be attributed to a few different factors. One common reason is age-related graying.
As we get older, our hair follicles produce less melanin, the pigment responsible for hair color, resulting in gray or white hair.
Another possibility is stress or a traumatic event, which can trigger a condition called telogen effluvium.
This condition can cause temporary hair loss and regrowth, often with white or lighter-colored strands.
Additionally, certain medical conditions, such as vitiligo or alopecia areata, can cause the hair to lose its pigment and appear white at the tips.
If you’re concerned about the color change in your hair, it’s always a good idea to consult a dermatologist or trichologist for a proper diagnosis and guidance.
When To See A Doctor
When you see there is an extended amount of hair shedding every day, it’s time to see a doctor.
If you have severe hair issues, you may see partial baldness on your head, especially where you part your hair, or your shower drain clogs just because of your hair or too much hair shedding on your pillow when you sleep.
These are the common signs that your average hair growth is interrupted for major or minor hair issues. You must see a Dermatologist immediately to avoid further hair damage.
Wrap Up
So there you have it. White-tipped hair can be a sign that your hair needs attention, but you can prevent and reverse the damage by following a healthy hair care routine.
Avoid damaging practices and use natural hair products to nourish and strengthen your hair.
