Purvisha Patel MD on Instagram: "Causes of Grey Hair Genetics - Family history plays a significant role. If your parents went grey early, you might too. Age - As we age, the pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) in our hair follicles gradually die off, leading to less melanin and more grey hair. Stress - While the direct link between stress and grey hair is still debated, some studies suggest that stress may trigger changes in the body that lead to loss of pigmentation. Nutritional Deficiencies