Why does our hair turn grey?
Some scientists poke needles at our bubbles of happiness. Yes, at least they did for me.
I was touting my grey hair as a sign of wisdom for many years. But now, some researchers have ‘discovered’ the ‘real’ reason for this greying, thus exposing my ‘wisdom’!
Scientists, using FT-Raman spectroscopy have proved hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative damage in the entire human hair follicle, inclusive of the hair shaft, as a critical element in senile hair greying.
Okay, let’s take a more straightforward look at this:
A complex process maintains our original hair colour. At least three enzymes are involved – catalase, methionine sulfoxide reductase (MSR) and tyrosinase. Catalase is an enzyme present in the hair follicles, among other locations. This enzyme usually breaks down the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into oxygen and water. MSR repairs the transient effects of H2O2 on hair follicles typically.
The level of catalase and MSR diminishes with advancing age. Catalase reduction results in increased accumulation of H2O2. MSR is also less. Thus H2O2 induced damage is not reversed.
This accumulation of H2O2 results in the impaired function of the third enzyme mentioned, tyrosinase. Tyrosinase is necessary for melanin production that is responsible for our hair (and skin) colour.
So, the cascade is quite simple:
| Cascade of hair greying |
| Reduced catalase and MSR |
| | |
| Accumulation of hydrogen peroxide |
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| Hair follicle damage by free radicals & Impaired tyrosinase function |
| | |
| Impaired melanin production in that hair follicle |
| | |
| Gradual loss of original colour (greying) |
References:
- Age-induced hair greying – the multiple effects of oxidative stress.
- Senile hair greying: H2O2-mediated oxidative stress affects human hair colour by blunting methionine sulfoxide repair.
Dr Shashikiran Umakanth (MBBS, MD, FRCP Edin.) is Professor & Head of Internal Medicine at MMMC, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, and has clinical responsibilities at the Department of Medicine, Dr TMA Pai Hospital, Udupi, Karnataka, India.
