The Connection Between Diet, Gray Hair And Baldness
April 13, 2009 · Filed Under Health ·
Paul Hata asked:
Sizzling right out of a dozen laboratories has come the news-flash that lack of certain vitamins causes hair to turn gray and that these same vitamins can restore its color.It is such a brand new discovery that it is not yet positive how these beauty vitamins affect human beings.
In the usual course of nutrition research, discoveries are first tested on animals and then applied to man. Already the anti-gray hair vitamins have proved their potency in restoring color to the graying fur of foxes, dogs and rats. The next step is to try them on human beings.
No scientist will at this writing promise that vitamins will bring back the color to your gray hair or prevent its turning gray. They merely say they don’t know. Nevertheless, though cagily noncommittal in public, scientists shed their caution when they’re alone among their test tubes. Plenty of scientists are gray-haired, if not venerable, and a number of them are human enough to have taken their own gray hair medicine. Scattered reports have drifted out of the cloisters indicating that certain vitamin concentrates have succeeded in darkening the color of prematurely graying human hair.
There is still some dissension as to the exact vitamin that works these miracles, but it is certain that it is one or perhaps several factors of the miraculous B complex. The important thing is that, even though not specifically identified, the food sources of the factor are well known and easily available to anyone.
One of the first reports on the gray hair vitamins came out of the laboratories of Dr. Agnes Fay Morgan of the University of California just a few months ago. A strain of black-coated rats was fed a diet that included liberal amounts of four purified B vitamins: thiamin, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, and pyridoxine. In six to eight weeks the black hair of the rats began to turn gray. They ceased to grow and died within six to eight months. Their personal appearance was most unhappy; they looked like emaciated centenarians with loose, baggy skin and sparse gray hair.
This was exciting to all concerned except the rats. The animals didn’t know what they were missing and neither did the scientists, but obviously it wasn’t the four B vitamins. These had been obtained in the customary way by shaking water solutions of yeast, liver or rice bran with Fuller’s earth.
The filtrate that remained after this process of separation obviously contained another vitamin or vitamins. This was satisfactorily proved when the rats showed immediate improvement and were quickly restored to full health by feeding concentrated extracts of the filtrate factor. Miraculously, the gray patches in their fur grew out with normal black color.
A six-week-old cocker spaniel with long, coal black, curly hair was put on a filtrate-deficient diet. Soon his hair lost pigment at the roots and within three months his coat was gray. Fed a filtrate made from yeast, his coat, too, resumed its glossy black hue.
Piebald rats in the care of Dr. Conrad Elvehjem of the University of Wisconsin turned gray on certain diets. He succeeded in restoring normal hair color by feeding them liver extract. A similar observation and cure was reported by Dr. Gulbrand Lunde and Dr. Hans Kringstad, two Norwegians who are credited with the first report on the antigray hair vitamin. In still another experiment, black-haired rats fed on a milk diet became anemic and their hair turned a silvery gray. In this case the color was restored by adding iron and copper to the diet.
Many investigators believe that pantothenic acid, one of the newer B vitamins, is the essential factor in preventing and restoring gray hair. Concentrated dosage of pure pantothenic acid has cured gray-haired rats; other investigators have failed to restore hair color with pantothenic acid alone. Dr. Morgan is convinced that pantothenic acid is concerned in the phenomenon of graying hair but that other factors are probably important also.
That one, perhaps the most essential, of these factors is a well-known chemical out of which novocain is made is indicated by the work of Dr. S. Ansbacher of the Squibb Institute for Medical Research. The substance, a B vitamin bearing the formidable name of para-aminobenzoic acid, has restored hair color to rats where pantothenic acid alone has failed.
Reverse Gray Hair
Sizzling right out of a dozen laboratories has come the news-flash that lack of certain vitamins causes hair to turn gray and that these same vitamins can restore its color.It is such a brand new discovery that it is not yet positive how these beauty vitamins affect human beings.
In the usual course of nutrition research, discoveries are first tested on animals and then applied to man. Already the anti-gray hair vitamins have proved their potency in restoring color to the graying fur of foxes, dogs and rats. The next step is to try them on human beings.
No scientist will at this writing promise that vitamins will bring back the color to your gray hair or prevent its turning gray. They merely say they don’t know. Nevertheless, though cagily noncommittal in public, scientists shed their caution when they’re alone among their test tubes. Plenty of scientists are gray-haired, if not venerable, and a number of them are human enough to have taken their own gray hair medicine. Scattered reports have drifted out of the cloisters indicating that certain vitamin concentrates have succeeded in darkening the color of prematurely graying human hair.
There is still some dissension as to the exact vitamin that works these miracles, but it is certain that it is one or perhaps several factors of the miraculous B complex. The important thing is that, even though not specifically identified, the food sources of the factor are well known and easily available to anyone.
One of the first reports on the gray hair vitamins came out of the laboratories of Dr. Agnes Fay Morgan of the University of California just a few months ago. A strain of black-coated rats was fed a diet that included liberal amounts of four purified B vitamins: thiamin, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, and pyridoxine. In six to eight weeks the black hair of the rats began to turn gray. They ceased to grow and died within six to eight months. Their personal appearance was most unhappy; they looked like emaciated centenarians with loose, baggy skin and sparse gray hair.
This was exciting to all concerned except the rats. The animals didn’t know what they were missing and neither did the scientists, but obviously it wasn’t the four B vitamins. These had been obtained in the customary way by shaking water solutions of yeast, liver or rice bran with Fuller’s earth.
The filtrate that remained after this process of separation obviously contained another vitamin or vitamins. This was satisfactorily proved when the rats showed immediate improvement and were quickly restored to full health by feeding concentrated extracts of the filtrate factor. Miraculously, the gray patches in their fur grew out with normal black color.
A six-week-old cocker spaniel with long, coal black, curly hair was put on a filtrate-deficient diet. Soon his hair lost pigment at the roots and within three months his coat was gray. Fed a filtrate made from yeast, his coat, too, resumed its glossy black hue.
Piebald rats in the care of Dr. Conrad Elvehjem of the University of Wisconsin turned gray on certain diets. He succeeded in restoring normal hair color by feeding them liver extract. A similar observation and cure was reported by Dr. Gulbrand Lunde and Dr. Hans Kringstad, two Norwegians who are credited with the first report on the antigray hair vitamin. In still another experiment, black-haired rats fed on a milk diet became anemic and their hair turned a silvery gray. In this case the color was restored by adding iron and copper to the diet.
Many investigators believe that pantothenic acid, one of the newer B vitamins, is the essential factor in preventing and restoring gray hair. Concentrated dosage of pure pantothenic acid has cured gray-haired rats; other investigators have failed to restore hair color with pantothenic acid alone. Dr. Morgan is convinced that pantothenic acid is concerned in the phenomenon of graying hair but that other factors are probably important also.
That one, perhaps the most essential, of these factors is a well-known chemical out of which novocain is made is indicated by the work of Dr. S. Ansbacher of the Squibb Institute for Medical Research. The substance, a B vitamin bearing the formidable name of para-aminobenzoic acid, has restored hair color to rats where pantothenic acid alone has failed.
Reverse Gray Hair
Gray Hair Care – Color Options
April 4, 2009 · Filed Under Health ·
Kim Erickson asked:
Few things in life are certain however gray hair is something most of us begin dreading and fighting back against by the time we enter our early thirties. Gray hair seems to begin with a few strands that sneak up on us. We diligently puck them out day after day until we come to the realization that if we keep pulling them all out we will not have any hair left at all.
Making the decision to color your hair does not mean that it has to be an all or nothing venture. There are many color options available that provide coverage and are fairly low maintenance. These options include demi and semi permanents colors, high lights, low lights, blending or foils, all of which will although you to ease into coloring especially if this is new to you.
Growing in popularity is the color option of blending; which is essentially using both high lights and low lights giving you a natural fresh look. This process is an attractive option because larger chunks of hair are colored starting close to the base which enables you to get away with less frequent touch ups.
Blending is also unique in that several different shades can be used to create deep rich color which gives the illusion of more shape and volume. To create a more youthful look use colors that are a few shades lighter than you natural color this will give you a sun kissed looked. Another option which is been seen more and more is with the use of foils going bold, the options are really endless which will allow you to find something that not only makes you look and feel great but that also captures your personality.
If you choose to use a full color ensure that you use proper maintenance protocol. Touching up the roots is essential, there is nothing worse then having an inch on new growth showing at the base of your hair. It is best to get your roots dealt with every four to six weeks depending on how fast your hair grows. Generally the average is about a half an inch per month. If you are coloring yourself do not try to save time by simply applying a new dose of color to your entire head of hair, this will lead to an uneven and unnatural appearance as well as cause unnecessary damage to the ends and over processed shafts of your hair.
Choosing to color your gray is only one option. If you decide to embrace your gray or white hair remember to use a violet or blue based shampoo to wash away the yellow. These specialized shampoos also help to maintain your hairs vibrancy and clarity making the dullness a that affects gray and white hair a thing of the past. Gray or white hair can be extremely attractive when it is worn with confidence and you have the proper hair cut, this does not mean that you have to get your hair all cut of and start using rollers. Many men and women look fantastic with their natural grey, silver or white hair. Talk to your professional stylist about your options and decide on a hair care option that works for you.
Grey Hair
Few things in life are certain however gray hair is something most of us begin dreading and fighting back against by the time we enter our early thirties. Gray hair seems to begin with a few strands that sneak up on us. We diligently puck them out day after day until we come to the realization that if we keep pulling them all out we will not have any hair left at all.
Making the decision to color your hair does not mean that it has to be an all or nothing venture. There are many color options available that provide coverage and are fairly low maintenance. These options include demi and semi permanents colors, high lights, low lights, blending or foils, all of which will although you to ease into coloring especially if this is new to you.
Growing in popularity is the color option of blending; which is essentially using both high lights and low lights giving you a natural fresh look. This process is an attractive option because larger chunks of hair are colored starting close to the base which enables you to get away with less frequent touch ups.
Blending is also unique in that several different shades can be used to create deep rich color which gives the illusion of more shape and volume. To create a more youthful look use colors that are a few shades lighter than you natural color this will give you a sun kissed looked. Another option which is been seen more and more is with the use of foils going bold, the options are really endless which will allow you to find something that not only makes you look and feel great but that also captures your personality.
If you choose to use a full color ensure that you use proper maintenance protocol. Touching up the roots is essential, there is nothing worse then having an inch on new growth showing at the base of your hair. It is best to get your roots dealt with every four to six weeks depending on how fast your hair grows. Generally the average is about a half an inch per month. If you are coloring yourself do not try to save time by simply applying a new dose of color to your entire head of hair, this will lead to an uneven and unnatural appearance as well as cause unnecessary damage to the ends and over processed shafts of your hair.
Choosing to color your gray is only one option. If you decide to embrace your gray or white hair remember to use a violet or blue based shampoo to wash away the yellow. These specialized shampoos also help to maintain your hairs vibrancy and clarity making the dullness a that affects gray and white hair a thing of the past. Gray or white hair can be extremely attractive when it is worn with confidence and you have the proper hair cut, this does not mean that you have to get your hair all cut of and start using rollers. Many men and women look fantastic with their natural grey, silver or white hair. Talk to your professional stylist about your options and decide on a hair care option that works for you.
Grey Hair
Gray Hair Color Tips for Going Gray and Staying That Way
March 22, 2009 · Filed Under Health ·
Lynne Hagan asked:
Copyright (c) 2008 Lynne Hagan
It’s a big decision to stop getting your hair dyed go gray. But a lot of women are doing it. Silver is in! The question is; what do I do with my hair during that awkward growing-in-stage? Then, how do I avoid looking washed-out and dull like some of those other women you’ve seen with gray hair.
First of all, deciding to go gray is a very bold decision. You’re making the statement that you’re very confident and that you’re proud of your looks. Going gray is trendy and even stylish if you do it the right way.
OK, How Do I Do It?
Do it Gradually Don’t give up your dye job until your roots are at least 50% gray so that your new gray hair looks symmetrical and natural as it is growing in. You don’t want to totally give up coloring your hair during this awkward stage. Colorists suggest that working in some highlights or lowlights will add dimension and blend in the roots.
Think about a new hairstyle. Having your hair cut above the collar will lessen the contrast between the gray hair and the highlighted hair. Having it cut in layers also helps camouflage the multiple colors. It also gives you a more youthful appearance. In order to avoid looking like grandma, make sure you have a contemporary hairstyle. Have your hairstylist suggest a layered cut above the shoulders that would softly frame your face.
Use products that are specifically for gray hair. When your hair turns gray the protective layer becomes thin which can leave your hair coarse. Colorists recommend the following to keep your hair looking healthy:
Use a shampoo that contains a moisturizer that will give you smooth, silky hair.
Wash your hair once a week with a shampoo made specifically for gray hair. It helps counteract yellowing that the sun and hard water can cause.
Use a clear gloss or glaze once a month for shine.
Use clear gels and mousses. Colored products will tarnish gray hair.
OK, now you have gray hair. How do I avoid looking washed-out and dull like some of the other ladies that I’ve seen with gray hair?
Gray Hair Color Tips to Look Young and Vibrant
Foundation
Choose a laminating, moisturizing foundation. Apply powder only where you really need it. Too much powder can settle in the creases and fine lines on your face making them look more obvious.
Blush
Wear blush! It makes your complexion more vibrant. Makeup artists suggest a light English rose for fair skin and a bright peony for medium or olive skin. Apply the blush onto the apples of your cheek, then feather out towards the hairline.
Lipliner
Use a lipliner. As we age the lips thin out and lose some of the natural rosiness. Restore the contour by tracing your lips with a nude lip liner before applying your gloss or lipstick.
Lipstick
Choose a rich lipstick. Colorists suggest juicy-looking colors in pink, berry, peach or apricot tones. The nudes and browns can look a little muddy and it may be better to stay away from them. The best color for you is a few shades more intense than your natural lip color.
Eye Makeup
Brighten up your eyes by applying a linen-colored eye shadow onto your lids as the color reflects light. Then use a cream eyeliner and smudge it slightly. Black liner and gray hair tends to be a stark contrast. You’ll be better off with the the softer grayish shades. If you have straight eyelashes, curl them and then apply two coats of mascara. Use a lash primer before the mascara if your eyelashes are sparse. It primes and coats the lash which makes them look thicker. Using black mascara can look a little harsh as we age. Try using brown or navy. Apply the mascara outward and up at the same time.
Eyebrows
Pay attention to your eyebrows. Use an eye pencil and fill in the sparse areas. Colorists suggest a light to medium taupe shade for fair and light eyebrows. For olive or dark complexions, choose a deep, cool brown. For gray or salt and pepper brows, a bluish gray pencil works best.
Follow these gray hair color tips whether you have frosty strands or a mane of pure white hair. Look healthy and younger!
Gray Hair Cure
Copyright (c) 2008 Lynne Hagan
It’s a big decision to stop getting your hair dyed go gray. But a lot of women are doing it. Silver is in! The question is; what do I do with my hair during that awkward growing-in-stage? Then, how do I avoid looking washed-out and dull like some of those other women you’ve seen with gray hair.
First of all, deciding to go gray is a very bold decision. You’re making the statement that you’re very confident and that you’re proud of your looks. Going gray is trendy and even stylish if you do it the right way.
OK, How Do I Do It?
Do it Gradually Don’t give up your dye job until your roots are at least 50% gray so that your new gray hair looks symmetrical and natural as it is growing in. You don’t want to totally give up coloring your hair during this awkward stage. Colorists suggest that working in some highlights or lowlights will add dimension and blend in the roots.
Think about a new hairstyle. Having your hair cut above the collar will lessen the contrast between the gray hair and the highlighted hair. Having it cut in layers also helps camouflage the multiple colors. It also gives you a more youthful appearance. In order to avoid looking like grandma, make sure you have a contemporary hairstyle. Have your hairstylist suggest a layered cut above the shoulders that would softly frame your face.
Use products that are specifically for gray hair. When your hair turns gray the protective layer becomes thin which can leave your hair coarse. Colorists recommend the following to keep your hair looking healthy:
Use a shampoo that contains a moisturizer that will give you smooth, silky hair.
Wash your hair once a week with a shampoo made specifically for gray hair. It helps counteract yellowing that the sun and hard water can cause.
Use a clear gloss or glaze once a month for shine.
Use clear gels and mousses. Colored products will tarnish gray hair.
OK, now you have gray hair. How do I avoid looking washed-out and dull like some of the other ladies that I’ve seen with gray hair?
Gray Hair Color Tips to Look Young and Vibrant
Foundation
Choose a laminating, moisturizing foundation. Apply powder only where you really need it. Too much powder can settle in the creases and fine lines on your face making them look more obvious.
Blush
Wear blush! It makes your complexion more vibrant. Makeup artists suggest a light English rose for fair skin and a bright peony for medium or olive skin. Apply the blush onto the apples of your cheek, then feather out towards the hairline.
Lipliner
Use a lipliner. As we age the lips thin out and lose some of the natural rosiness. Restore the contour by tracing your lips with a nude lip liner before applying your gloss or lipstick.
Lipstick
Choose a rich lipstick. Colorists suggest juicy-looking colors in pink, berry, peach or apricot tones. The nudes and browns can look a little muddy and it may be better to stay away from them. The best color for you is a few shades more intense than your natural lip color.
Eye Makeup
Brighten up your eyes by applying a linen-colored eye shadow onto your lids as the color reflects light. Then use a cream eyeliner and smudge it slightly. Black liner and gray hair tends to be a stark contrast. You’ll be better off with the the softer grayish shades. If you have straight eyelashes, curl them and then apply two coats of mascara. Use a lash primer before the mascara if your eyelashes are sparse. It primes and coats the lash which makes them look thicker. Using black mascara can look a little harsh as we age. Try using brown or navy. Apply the mascara outward and up at the same time.
Eyebrows
Pay attention to your eyebrows. Use an eye pencil and fill in the sparse areas. Colorists suggest a light to medium taupe shade for fair and light eyebrows. For olive or dark complexions, choose a deep, cool brown. For gray or salt and pepper brows, a bluish gray pencil works best.
Follow these gray hair color tips whether you have frosty strands or a mane of pure white hair. Look healthy and younger!
Gray Hair Cure
Gray Hair- Causes and Treatment
March 18, 2009 · Filed Under Health ·
IC asked:
We all try to cover it, but gray hair definitely has a mind of its own. Every year, people spend millions of dollars on products that will prevent and cover gray hair in an attempt to slow the aging process. However, those pesky gray hairs keep popping up!
It is estimated that just over 40% of Americans have gray hair before their 40th birthday, but children and young adults can also have gray hair. Where does all of this gray hair come from? Genetics does play a role in when gray hair will start to grow in but stress, hormonal changes, and the use of tobacco have also been shown to cause gray hair.
As we age, our hair loses its pigmentation. The hair stops producing melanin, causing the hair that grows in the follicle to lose vibrancy. There will still be color in the hair, but it won’t be as bright as it was before. White hair is different because it is caused by total absence of melanin.
There have been some positive steps in the search to end gray hair. Scientists are looking into the workings of a couple of genes thought to play a role in graying and French scientists have found that a cancer drug used to treat patients with leukemia was effective in the fight against gray hair. Patients who had gray hair before taking the drug noticed color was restored to their hair. Scientists are now trying to learn how this accidental discovery can help in the fight against gray hair.
So many products are on the market claiming to prevent gray hair, but none of them seem to work! People have taken supplements, vitamins, and applied various products to their hair in an attempt to prevent gray hair, but all in vain.
It is common for people, especially women, to turn to hair dye in order to cover gray hair up. Gray hair can often be difficult to dye, and it may be best to go to a hair care professional in order to get 100% gray coverage. If you do choose to color gray hair, know that you will have to color your gray roots every four to six weeks in order to maintain your desired look.
Like death and taxes, gray hair is inevitable. However, it is not as bad a condition as it has been in the past. We have many more choices when it comes to covering up, and now that science is on our side, we will soon have even more.
Prevention of Grey Hair
We all try to cover it, but gray hair definitely has a mind of its own. Every year, people spend millions of dollars on products that will prevent and cover gray hair in an attempt to slow the aging process. However, those pesky gray hairs keep popping up!
It is estimated that just over 40% of Americans have gray hair before their 40th birthday, but children and young adults can also have gray hair. Where does all of this gray hair come from? Genetics does play a role in when gray hair will start to grow in but stress, hormonal changes, and the use of tobacco have also been shown to cause gray hair.
As we age, our hair loses its pigmentation. The hair stops producing melanin, causing the hair that grows in the follicle to lose vibrancy. There will still be color in the hair, but it won’t be as bright as it was before. White hair is different because it is caused by total absence of melanin.
There have been some positive steps in the search to end gray hair. Scientists are looking into the workings of a couple of genes thought to play a role in graying and French scientists have found that a cancer drug used to treat patients with leukemia was effective in the fight against gray hair. Patients who had gray hair before taking the drug noticed color was restored to their hair. Scientists are now trying to learn how this accidental discovery can help in the fight against gray hair.
So many products are on the market claiming to prevent gray hair, but none of them seem to work! People have taken supplements, vitamins, and applied various products to their hair in an attempt to prevent gray hair, but all in vain.
It is common for people, especially women, to turn to hair dye in order to cover gray hair up. Gray hair can often be difficult to dye, and it may be best to go to a hair care professional in order to get 100% gray coverage. If you do choose to color gray hair, know that you will have to color your gray roots every four to six weeks in order to maintain your desired look.
Like death and taxes, gray hair is inevitable. However, it is not as bad a condition as it has been in the past. We have many more choices when it comes to covering up, and now that science is on our side, we will soon have even more.
Prevention of Grey Hair
Genetic Help to Negate Gray Hair
March 12, 2009 · Filed Under Health ·
sashi asked:
Dyeing your gray hair but not satisfied? Want to go for something on a permanent basis? Your wait is about to wane off very soon. The science of Genetics is about to come to your rescue. Gray hair comes with a lot of pressure on a person. Geneticists have made the introductory discovery of changing gray hair into black by carrying out specific changes in the genetic make up.
It all started with bringing some changes in the scalp genes in an albino mouse about four years ago. This led to prevention of onset of graying. Gray hair treatment has been undergoing a regular revolution ever since. We are on the threshold of discovering a pill that would prevent the estimated average 110,000 hairs on a person’s head from turning gray.
Chris Gummer believes a single strand of hair can be devastating. “One gray fiber is enough to shatter a life,” said Gummer, a senior research fellow at Procter & Gamble labs in London, U.K. “Even if someone has 20 million dark hairs on his/her head, this single strand can create a tremendous cascade of grief.”
The ongoing experiments to prevent grey hair have been very forthcoming. Kyonggeun Yoon and Vitaly Alexeev of Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia created DNA molecules and allowed it to mutate with DNA within the albino mouse’s hair follicles. He was successful in correcting the mutation and restored pigment in its hair. If the melanin pigment remains in the hair it will never grow gray. Their success lay in correcting the mutation process in an albino mouse.
Cosmetic science has been given a new meaning. Its potential has further intensified with the onset of the process. If the gene therapy could make the white hair of an albino mouse turn black, it should also help banish gray hair and that too without dyes. It is a challenge and scientists are working hard to come out with a new form of gray hair treatment that would prevent grey hair and give a run to dyes. However, most agree there are some formidable hurdles yet ahead since the target is a complex one.
Each strand of hair is made of the protein keratin and grows out of a follicle in the scalp’s skin that has cells filled with melanin. About 85 to 90 percent of a person’s hairs are actively growing while the remaining is dormant. Each strand grows for three to five years and then falls out after about four months. As a strand grows, these cells donate a little color to the hair cells in the form of tiny granules of melanin. One form of melanin, called pheomelanin, creates blondes and redheads, while another, eumelanin, colors the hair of those with brown or black hair.
The problem starts around the age of 30 in men and a little later in women when these pigment cells gradually stop producing melanin and without the chemical, our hair turns white or gray. Some studies have shown that poor health, anemia, thyroid problems and possibly smoking can cause hair to go gray sooner.
These pigment cells need reactivation. The process is a complex one as it will involve many adjoining skin cells which can cause fair amount of damage to the skin if altered. Also, melanin is important in protecting the skin from sun damage. So scientists need to be careful in letting the nearby cells remain undisturbed. There’s also the initiation process to ensure that the pigment cells, if turned back on, continues to stay on.
Sport your natural look if you are allergic to those dyes and wait for the new phenomenon to arrive. It’s going to be fruitful and rewarding at the same time.
Gray Hair Cause
Dyeing your gray hair but not satisfied? Want to go for something on a permanent basis? Your wait is about to wane off very soon. The science of Genetics is about to come to your rescue. Gray hair comes with a lot of pressure on a person. Geneticists have made the introductory discovery of changing gray hair into black by carrying out specific changes in the genetic make up.
It all started with bringing some changes in the scalp genes in an albino mouse about four years ago. This led to prevention of onset of graying. Gray hair treatment has been undergoing a regular revolution ever since. We are on the threshold of discovering a pill that would prevent the estimated average 110,000 hairs on a person’s head from turning gray.
Chris Gummer believes a single strand of hair can be devastating. “One gray fiber is enough to shatter a life,” said Gummer, a senior research fellow at Procter & Gamble labs in London, U.K. “Even if someone has 20 million dark hairs on his/her head, this single strand can create a tremendous cascade of grief.”
The ongoing experiments to prevent grey hair have been very forthcoming. Kyonggeun Yoon and Vitaly Alexeev of Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia created DNA molecules and allowed it to mutate with DNA within the albino mouse’s hair follicles. He was successful in correcting the mutation and restored pigment in its hair. If the melanin pigment remains in the hair it will never grow gray. Their success lay in correcting the mutation process in an albino mouse.
Cosmetic science has been given a new meaning. Its potential has further intensified with the onset of the process. If the gene therapy could make the white hair of an albino mouse turn black, it should also help banish gray hair and that too without dyes. It is a challenge and scientists are working hard to come out with a new form of gray hair treatment that would prevent grey hair and give a run to dyes. However, most agree there are some formidable hurdles yet ahead since the target is a complex one.
Each strand of hair is made of the protein keratin and grows out of a follicle in the scalp’s skin that has cells filled with melanin. About 85 to 90 percent of a person’s hairs are actively growing while the remaining is dormant. Each strand grows for three to five years and then falls out after about four months. As a strand grows, these cells donate a little color to the hair cells in the form of tiny granules of melanin. One form of melanin, called pheomelanin, creates blondes and redheads, while another, eumelanin, colors the hair of those with brown or black hair.
The problem starts around the age of 30 in men and a little later in women when these pigment cells gradually stop producing melanin and without the chemical, our hair turns white or gray. Some studies have shown that poor health, anemia, thyroid problems and possibly smoking can cause hair to go gray sooner.
These pigment cells need reactivation. The process is a complex one as it will involve many adjoining skin cells which can cause fair amount of damage to the skin if altered. Also, melanin is important in protecting the skin from sun damage. So scientists need to be careful in letting the nearby cells remain undisturbed. There’s also the initiation process to ensure that the pigment cells, if turned back on, continues to stay on.
Sport your natural look if you are allergic to those dyes and wait for the new phenomenon to arrive. It’s going to be fruitful and rewarding at the same time.
Gray Hair Cause
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