What causes gray hair?

A narrative review published in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology details the mechanism of gray hair formation, specifically that the build-up of reactive oxygen species as a byproduct of melanin production can lead to oxidative stress that inhibits the melanin process. Certain antioxidant enzymes also diminish with age, resulting in oxidative damage. 

The author cites research that premature hair graying has also been linked to psychological stress, nutritional deficiencies as well as genetic variants affecting melanin production. In addition, hormonal imbalances, treatments such as chemotherapy and smoking are known to disrupt hair pigmentation.  

The investigator highlights that emerging treatments — including antioxidant supplementation, hormonal therapies, stem cell-based therapies and topical peptides — to reverse or prevent hair graying are currently under exploration. 

Read more: Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology 

 

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