Quick Answer
Yes, it is common for pubic hair to turn grey with age, just like the hair on our heads. As we get older, our hair follicles produce less melanin, the pigment that gives hair its color. This causes the hair to become more grey and white over time. Genetics, stress levels, and other factors can affect when and how much pubic hair greys. Most people start to see some grey pubic hairs by their mid-30s to 40s.
When Does Pubic Hair Start to Grey?
Pubic hair, like the hair on our heads, usually begins to lose pigment and turn grey sometime between our mid-30s and early 50s. However, some people may start to see grey pubic hairs as early as their late 20s, while others don’t get them until their 60s or later. Here are some general guidelines on when pubic hair greying happens:
– Late 20s to mid 30s: Many people find their first grey pubic hairs during this time. For most, it’s just a strand here and there.
– Mid to late 30s: More grey hairs start to sprout. At this point it’s common to have a mix of grey and your natural hair color.
– 40s: Often a major transition point. Half or more of the pubic hair has gone grey by one’s 40s for many people.
– 50s and beyond: Most people in their 50s and 60s have predominantly grey pubic hair. Though some retain darker hairs even into old age.
Of course, there’s significant variation among individuals due to genetics, health, and other factors. Some go fully grey quite young, while others hang onto their natural hair color for longer.
What Causes Pubic Hair to Turn Grey?
Just as on our scalp, grey pubic hair is caused by a loss of melanin in the hair follicles. Melanin is the pigment that gives hair its natural color. As we age, our hair follicles produce less melanin, causing new hair growth to become more grey and white.
There are a few key reasons why our bodies produce less melanin as we get older:
– Aging of melanocyte cells – The melanocyte cells responsible for melanin production become less effective as we age. They make less melanin pigment and can stop functioning altogether.
– Decreased tyrosinase – Tyrosinase is an enzyme involved in melanin synthesis. Reduced tyrosinase activity contributes to lower melanin levels.
– Oxidative stress – Accumulated exposure to oxidative stress over time can damage melanocytes and impair melanin production.
– Genetics – Genes influence when and how rapidly we go grey. Some people are predisposed to greying earlier or more extensively.
In addition to natural aging processes, factors like stress, smoking, and vitamin deficiencies can accelerate greying of pubic hair. But for most, it’s simply a consequence of getting older as melanin synthesis declines.
Is Grey Pubic Hair More Common in Men or Women?
There isn’t strong evidence that grey pubic hair occurs significantly earlier or more extensively in one sex. However, some general observations indicate men may tend to go grey somewhat sooner and faster than women:
– On average, men tend to gray earlier on their heads than women. This may translate for pubic hair as well, with men starting to spot grey hairs a few years before women typically do.
– Hormonal factors like declining testosterone levels may contribute to men greying earlier. Drops in estrogen may play a role for some women.
– Men are more prone to certain conditions, like oxidative stress, that can prematurely grey hair. Higher smoking rates among men also accelerate greying.
However, plenty of women start pubic hair greying in their 20s or 30s as well. Both sexes typically see most of their pubic hair turn grey by their 50s. Individual variation outweighs any average sex differences in pubic hair greying timelines. Genetics play a major role for both sexes.
Do Grey Pubes Indicate Health Problems?
In most cases, grey pubic hair is a normal part of aging and not cause for concern on its own. However, premature greying well before age 30 may be associated with health conditions like:
– Vitamin B12 deficiency – Low B12 can affect hair pigmentation.
– Thyroid disorders – Both overactive and underactive thyroid has been linked to premature greying.
– Oxidative stress – From conditions like chronic inflammation and smoking. Antioxidants may help.
– Vitiligo – An autoimmune disease causing skin/hair pigment loss.
– Albinism – Genetic disorder inhibiting melanin production.
Consult a doctor if you have other symptoms along with premature pubic or head hair greying. They can check for any underlying conditions. But in the vast majority of cases, grey pubic hair is just a natural part of the aging process.
Do Grey Pubes Mean You’re Going to Go Fully Grey Soon?
Not necessarily! Finding your first grey pubes in your 20s or 30s doesn’t necessarily mean your hair “down there” will be entirely grey in the next few years. Just like head hair, pubic hair can take a long time to transition fully from your original color to grey.
It’s common for the greying process to progress gradually over 10 to 20 years or more. You’ll usually start with just occasional grey hairs, followed by more and more over time. Even people in their 60s and 70s may retain some of their original pubic hair color mixed in with grey.
However, those who go grey early do often tend to grey faster. If you started getting silver pubes in your 20s, you may be predominantly grey somewhat sooner than someone who didn’t spot the first strays until their 40s. But the timeframe can still vary a lot. Just take comfort that you’ll likely hang onto some original pigment well into midlife. Embrace the salt and pepper look!
Can You Prevent Grey Pubes?
While you can’t stop the greying process altogether, you may be able to slow it down. Try these tips for keeping your pubic hair color looking vibrant for longer:
– Eat antioxidant-rich foods like colorful fruits and vegetables, along with healthy fats like avocados and nuts. Antioxidants combat oxidative stress that damages hair pigment.
– Take vitamins B, C, D, and E. Make sure you’re getting adequate levels of these critical vitamins related to melanin production.
– Use SPF to protect your bikini area from sun exposure that can fade color.
– Manage stress through yoga, meditation, therapy, or other relaxation methods. Chronic stress elevates greying hormones.
– Quit smoking to avoid its greying effects.
– Reduce heat styling like blow drying pubic hair, which damages hair over time.
While you can’t stop the aging process, minimizing damage from lifestyle factors can help pubic hair hold onto its natural color longer before transitioning to grey.
Can You Dye or Color Grey Pubic Hair?
Yes, you can dye grey pubes just like the hair on your head. Peroxide-based hair dye is your best bet for longer-lasting coverage of grey. However, take care when using chemicals like hair dye down there:
– Do a patch test first to check for skin sensitivity. Pubic skin can be more prone to irritation.
– Carefully follow instructions and watch out for any burning or itching. Rinse thoroughly.
– Trim hair first for easier, more effective application to the roots.
– Use a semi-permanent vegetable-based dye if worried about chemical exposure on delicate pubic skin.
– Consider getting a professional bikini wax coloring treatment to reduce risks.
– Touch up the color every 4-6 weeks as new grey growth comes in.
While you can dye grey pubes, consider leaving them natural as a mark of maturity. Let your silver locks shine with pride!
What About Pubic Hair Transplants?
Pubic hair transplants are a surgical procedure where hair follicles from your scalp are transplanted to your pubic area. It’s primarily marketed as a solution for rebuilding pubic hair after injury, surgery, or other significant loss. However, it’s also an option for concealing grey pubes.
During transplantation:
– Follicles are removed from areas like your scalp via extraction or excision.
– These donor follicles are then carefully implanted into the pubic region.
– The transplanted follicles take hold and begin growing new hairs in the pubic zone.
– Scalp follicles continue producing the pigment they did before, so new pubic hairs contain your original hair color rather than grey.
Pubic hair transplants may seem like an extreme solution just for covering grey. However, the procedure is minimally invasive and can produce permanent results. Talk to a transplant surgeon if interested.
Embracing the Grey: Tips for Rocking Your Silver Pubes
Going grey “down there” can feel awkward at first. But your silver locks are totally normal, whether they sprout in your 30s, 60s or any time in between. Here are tips for embracing the grey in your pubic hair:
– Remind yourself greying is natural. Almost everyone gets grey pubes eventually. It doesn’t make you less vibrant.
– Focus less on appearance. How your pubes look doesn’t change the pleasure they can provide (or receive!).
– Use a pubic hair lightener if you want to soften the grey. This avoids harsher dyes.
– Style it with confidence. Grey hair is beautiful. Be bold with grooming styles that show off your new color.
– Remember hair color ≠ youth. You can still feel young, sexy and adventurous no matter your hair color.
– Find partners who celebrate maturity. The right lovers see your grey strands as sexy evidence of experience.
– Combat stigma. Push back against notions that greying isn’t attractive, for women especially.
Your pubic hair color won’t inhibit your enjoyment of sex and intimacy. Let your silver locks enhance your confidence and comfort in your own skin at every age.
Conclusion
Pubic hair commonly goes grey starting in our 30s or 40s, just like the hair on our heads. It’s simply a natural effect of aging processes like decreasing melanin production. While genetics impact when it happens, most people have at least some grey pubes by their 50s.
There’s no proven way to prevent the greying altogether, but you may be able to slow it down with lifestyle measures like eating well, using sun protection, and avoiding smoking. Dyes offer a short-term fix if wanted, but embracing your grey hairs can promote aging confidence.
Going grey doesn’t make you less vibrant or youthful. Nor should it detract from the pleasures of intimacy if you don’t let it. See your silver locks as a mark of maturity and maintain self-assurance in your desirability at every age.
