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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: jimmy olsen on May 06, 2013, 08:39:24 PM

Title: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: jimmy olsen on May 06, 2013, 08:39:24 PM
Now if only they could find a cure for hair loss. <_<

http://bodyodd.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/06/18088677-gray-hair-cure-scientists-find-root-cause-of-discoloration?lite

QuoteGray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration

By Marc Lallanilla, LiveScience

Gray hair — one of the classic signs of aging that can lead to a midlife crisis — may some day be a thing of the past, much to the chagrin of hair-dye manufacturers and Corvette salesmen.

A team of European researchers claims to have found not only the root cause of gray hair, but also a treatment for the condition. Additionally, their treatment may help people with vitiligo, a condition that causes the loss of pigment in patches of skin, they say.
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It's been known for years that hair turns gray due to a natural buildup of hydrogen peroxide in hair follicles, which causes oxidative stress and graying. (Hydrogen peroxide solutions have been used for years as a cheap and easy way to "go blonde.")

In younger people, an enzyme called catalase breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. But lower levels of this enzyme, combined with lower levels of enzymes called MSR A and B that repair hydrogen peroxide damage, cause hair to turn gray as we age.

The researchers, whose findings are published in the experimental-biology publication FASEB Journal, analyzed 2,411 people with vitiligo.

By looking at people with two different kinds of vitiligo — strictly segmental vitiligo (SSV) and non-segmental vitiligo (NSV) — they discovered that both kinds resulted from oxidative stress.

And by applying a topical treatment, a substance called PC-KUS, the researchers successfully treated the discolored skin and eyelashes of people with vitiligo.

Though gray hair isn't always a welcome sign of aging, there's some evidence that suggests it can be an indicator of good health.

Researchers in 2012 found that wild boars with significant graying hair "were actually those in prime condition and with the lowest levels of oxidative damage," researcher Ismael Galván of the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales in Spain said in a statement.

"Far from being a sign of age-related decline, hair graying seems to indicate good condition in wild boars," Galván said.

Nonetheless, many people will go to extreme lengths to hide any hint of aging, including gray hair.

"For generations, numerous remedies have been concocted to hide gray hair," Dr. Gerald Weissmann, editor-in-chief of FASEB Journal, said in a statement. "But now, for the first time, an actual treatment that gets to the root of the problem has been developed."

The treatment will be welcome news to people with severe or unsightly cases of vitiligo. "This condition, while technically cosmetic, can have serious socio-emotional effects," Weissmann said. "Developing an effective treatment ... has the potential to radically improve many people's lives."
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: CountDeMoney on May 06, 2013, 08:43:02 PM
My gray in my goatee is starting to look cool as it fills out.  It's all Bolshevikish.

Hair loss :nelson:
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: HVC on May 06, 2013, 08:45:35 PM
If you can't afford rogaine, Tim, you won't be able to afford whatever else they come up with.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: Phillip V on May 06, 2013, 08:46:01 PM
Michael Jackson could have remained black? :(
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: Ed Anger on May 06, 2013, 08:46:20 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on May 06, 2013, 08:43:02 PM
My gray in my goatee is starting to look cool as it fills out.  It's all Bolshevikish.

Hair loss :nelson:

Young chicks dig the gray. And scars.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: HVC on May 06, 2013, 08:47:51 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 06, 2013, 08:46:20 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on May 06, 2013, 08:43:02 PM
My gray in my goatee is starting to look cool as it fills out.  It's all Bolshevikish.

Hair loss :nelson:

Young chicks dig the gray. And scars.
sure it's the grey and the scars and not the money :P
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: Ed Anger on May 06, 2013, 08:50:45 PM
Quote from: HVC on May 06, 2013, 08:47:51 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 06, 2013, 08:46:20 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on May 06, 2013, 08:43:02 PM
My gray in my goatee is starting to look cool as it fills out.  It's all Bolshevikish.

Hair loss :nelson:

Young chicks dig the gray. And scars.
sure it's the grey and the scars and not the money :P

Yeah, that jeep Cherokee gets the chicks.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: HVC on May 06, 2013, 08:52:52 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 06, 2013, 08:50:45 PM
Quote from: HVC on May 06, 2013, 08:47:51 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 06, 2013, 08:46:20 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on May 06, 2013, 08:43:02 PM
My gray in my goatee is starting to look cool as it fills out.  It's all Bolshevikish.

Hair loss :nelson:

Young chicks dig the gray. And scars.
sure it's the grey and the scars and not the money :P

Yeah, that jeep Cherokee gets the chicks.
:D

Since I got a good paying job something's have changed. It was kind of weird actually :lol:
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: CountDeMoney on May 06, 2013, 08:54:07 PM
Quote from: HVC on May 06, 2013, 08:52:52 PM
Since I got a good paying job something's have changed. It was kind of weird actually :lol:

Imagine that.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: HVC on May 06, 2013, 08:55:25 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on May 06, 2013, 08:54:07 PM
Quote from: HVC on May 06, 2013, 08:52:52 PM
Since I got a good paying job something's have changed. It was kind of weird actually :lol:

Imagine that.
i know. You'd think there would be a stereotype about that or something...


:P
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: crazy canuck on May 06, 2013, 08:59:45 PM
QuoteThough gray hair isn't always a welcome sign of aging, there's some evidence that suggests it can be an indicator of good health.

I rock!
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: derspiess on May 06, 2013, 09:06:41 PM
My wife told me a long time ago that she kinda liked a little gray hair but that I "better not go bald".  I'm doing okay on both fronts so far-- hairline has moved back slightly but I'm doing better than most of my friends.  Hopefully my 40s will be kind to me :unsure:
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: CountDeMoney on May 06, 2013, 09:09:10 PM
With that forehead, how would you tell?  OH SNAP NYUK   :P
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: garbon on May 06, 2013, 09:09:48 PM
:shutup:
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: CountDeMoney on May 06, 2013, 09:12:16 PM
My forehead is lovely, thank you, g.  :mad:
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: garbon on May 06, 2013, 09:13:55 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on May 06, 2013, 08:59:45 PM
QuoteThough gray hair isn't always a welcome sign of aging, there's some evidence that suggests it can be an indicator of good health.

I rock!
Like a wild boar. :yes:
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: derspiess on May 06, 2013, 09:26:23 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on May 06, 2013, 09:09:10 PM
With that forehead, how would you tell?  OH SNAP NYUK   :P

Exactly :contract:
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: jimmy olsen on May 06, 2013, 09:28:28 PM
Quote from: HVC on May 06, 2013, 08:45:35 PM
If you can't afford rogaine, Tim, you won't be able to afford whatever else they come up with.
I can afford it. It drys my scalp out too much though and causes damage.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: Ed Anger on May 06, 2013, 09:29:47 PM
Scrub harder.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: CountDeMoney on May 06, 2013, 09:30:37 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on May 06, 2013, 09:28:28 PM
Quote from: HVC on May 06, 2013, 08:45:35 PM
If you can't afford rogaine, Tim, you won't be able to afford whatever else they come up with.
I can afford it. It drys my scalp out too much though and causes damage.

It also blows up your heart, but hey.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: HVC on May 06, 2013, 09:33:57 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on May 06, 2013, 09:30:37 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on May 06, 2013, 09:28:28 PM
Quote from: HVC on May 06, 2013, 08:45:35 PM
If you can't afford rogaine, Tim, you won't be able to afford whatever else they come up with.
I can afford it. It drys my scalp out too much though and causes damage.

It also blows up your heart, but hey.
hair>heart

or do what i do and shave. although when i do go white i'll be really white. the few i have now are so white it looks almost likei dippedthem in shite out.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: CountDeMoney on May 06, 2013, 09:38:27 PM
Quote from: HVC on May 06, 2013, 09:33:57 PM
or do what i do and shave. although when i do go white i'll be really white. the few i have now are so white it looks almost likei dippedthem in shite out.

Fuck the shaving.  If you're gonna go all white and still have a hairline, go all out Frederick Douglass white.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: HVC on May 06, 2013, 09:40:44 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on May 06, 2013, 09:38:27 PM
Quote from: HVC on May 06, 2013, 09:33:57 PM
or do what i do and shave. although when i do go white i'll be really white. the few i have now are so white it looks almost likei dippedthem in shite out.

Fuck the shaving.  If you're gonna go all white and still have a hairline, go all out Frederick Douglass white.
that's in a few years time. i have a feeling it's look weird becasue in the summer i get pretty dark :lol:

*edit* just looked him up. reminds me of an angry black mark twain :D
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: jimmy olsen on May 06, 2013, 09:41:24 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on May 06, 2013, 09:30:37 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on May 06, 2013, 09:28:28 PM
Quote from: HVC on May 06, 2013, 08:45:35 PM
If you can't afford rogaine, Tim, you won't be able to afford whatever else they come up with.
I can afford it. It drys my scalp out too much though and causes damage.

It also blows up your heart, but hey.
Well I quickly stopped taking it and my last two echocardiograms have been great, so no worries on that front.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: Barrister on May 06, 2013, 09:42:06 PM
I'm in the "plenty of early grey, but hair line is looking good" school.  Given how bald my dad is (and how close to 40 I am) I think I'm doing pretty good.

I always said my hair can go any colour it wants, as long as it is still there.  And so far, so good.   :ph34r:
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: PDH on May 06, 2013, 09:44:09 PM
Hell, my hairline started the retreat at about 18, by my mid 20s it was on the Long March toward the occipital region.  Now it has gone from retreat to full rout with panic and mob actions.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: HVC on May 06, 2013, 09:47:01 PM
i started thinning at 16. still had a hairline, butless hair overall. Which sucked cause i had great hair. still have an ok hairline, but i'll probably have a letterman island in 5 year or so.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: fhdz on May 06, 2013, 10:24:06 PM
Hair?
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: merithyn on May 06, 2013, 10:27:41 PM
:yeah:

I have an ongoing fight with myself over my gray. I dislike the way dye looks in my hair (it never looks natural, no matter what the box says), but I dislike the gray, too. So, I dye my hair to cover the gray, and then hate the color. So, I let it grow out, but after about two inches or so of gray showing, I panic and dye it again. (My face is ringed in gray, though there's only a sprinkle elsewhere.)

I wonder how long until the product is on the market, and which kid I'll have to sell to get it. :hmm:
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: Barrister on May 06, 2013, 10:31:40 PM
Quote from: merithyn on May 06, 2013, 10:27:41 PM
:yeah:

I have an ongoing fight with myself over my gray. I dislike the way dye looks in my hair (it never looks natural, no matter what the box says), but I dislike the gray, too. So, I dye my hair to cover the gray, and then hate the color. So, I let it grow out, but after about two inches or so of gray showing, I panic and dye it again. (My face is ringed in gray, though there's only a sprinkle elsewhere.)

I wonder how long until the product is on the market, and which kid I'll have to sell to get it. :hmm:

My mom was so happy when she went "grey enough" that she could just ditch the dye and go white.

Myself, I don't midn the salt-and-pepper look, but I definitely have her hair.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: merithyn on May 06, 2013, 10:58:09 PM
Quote from: Barrister on May 06, 2013, 10:31:40 PM
My mom was so happy when she went "grey enough" that she could just ditch the dye and go white.

Myself, I don't midn the salt-and-pepper look, but I definitely have her hair.

Salt and pepper looks good on a man. On a woman, it just looks like she gave up. :sleep:
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 06, 2013, 11:09:01 PM
I dunno.  That prematurely gray NYC Jewish intellectual woman look can be pretty nice.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: derspiess on May 07, 2013, 12:26:25 AM
No clue who Yi is talking about, but Meri's right.  A few months ago I gave my wife shit for coloring her hair every 3 weeks, but when she told me to imagine her with graying hair I shut the hell up.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: The Larch on May 07, 2013, 05:50:25 AM
Both my grandpas died with gorgeous manes of white hair. I got my first white hair at around the time other guys in high school started shaving. I guess I'll look dignified as hell in my old age.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: Viking on May 07, 2013, 05:52:12 AM
Right now I'm thinking of a very cruel practical joke involving Mountain Gorillas.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: Caliga on May 07, 2013, 06:37:30 AM
I still have a full head of brown hair, but grey is starting to show up in my goatee in the form of individual gray or even white hairs.  At this point I don't want them so I remove them individually. :thatsgay:

I don't get why dudes still fear baldness, though... just shave your head.  It's cool.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: Viking on May 07, 2013, 06:48:30 AM
Quote from: Caliga on May 07, 2013, 06:37:30 AM
I don't get why dudes still fear baldness, though... just shave your head.  It's cool.

Proof of lack of virility.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: merithyn on May 07, 2013, 07:45:41 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 06, 2013, 11:09:01 PM
I dunno.  That prematurely gray NYC Jewish intellectual woman look can be pretty nice.

It can look good, but only if you happen to gray "just so". I don't. Instead of a beautiful streak of white flowing from my temples or the bangs area, I have this salt-and-pepper motley (more salt than pepper anymore) that rings my face and goes back about an inch or so. So, when you look at me head-on (if I haven't dyed my hair) I just look all gray and washed out.

Later, when I'm almost all gray or when the gray is more white, I think I'll be more comfortable letting it go. Right now, it's in this in-between, ugly kind of phase. And since my pride and joy has always been my hair, it's been particularly hard for me. :(
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: Valmy on May 07, 2013, 07:47:09 AM
Screw this aging with dignity shit.  Give me the magic hair stuff.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: Brazen on May 07, 2013, 07:52:03 AM
I may be going grey, but I honestly can't tell for sure.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: merithyn on May 07, 2013, 07:57:54 AM
Quote from: Brazen on May 07, 2013, 07:52:03 AM
I may be going grey, but I honestly can't tell for sure.

:glare:

And this is why brunettes hate blondes. :contract:

:P
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: Malthus on May 07, 2013, 08:02:05 AM
My mother when grey in her 20s.

The last straw for her was when my dad brought her lunch to her lab (they were both students at the time) and someone remarked how thoughtful it was for "her son to bring her lunch".

She's been colouring her hair ever since ... 
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: HVC on May 07, 2013, 08:08:32 AM
Quote from: Viking on May 07, 2013, 06:48:30 AM
Quote from: Caliga on May 07, 2013, 06:37:30 AM
I don't get why dudes still fear baldness, though... just shave your head.  It's cool.

Proof of lack of virility.
bald men have higher levels of testosterone, for whatever that's worth.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: Valmy on May 07, 2013, 08:14:40 AM
Quote from: HVC on May 07, 2013, 08:08:32 AMbald men have higher levels of testosterone, for whatever that's worth.

That makes no sense...why would having hair, which is associated with youth and a period of high testosterone levels, indicate low testosterone levels?

But something that happens when you get old, a period when you have lower testosterone levels, be associated with high testosterone levels? :hmm:

I thought it was just a genetic oddity.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: CountDeMoney on May 07, 2013, 08:21:14 AM
Quote from: Valmy on May 07, 2013, 08:14:40 AM
I thought it was just a genetic oddity.

It's a trait carried by your maternal side;  ergo, you use your grandfather on your mother's side as the guide to how your hair's going to go, not your own father.

Luckily, mine was a tough old Kraut that got his hair cut every Saturday like clockwork until he was 84.  Only chemo could kill those Teutonic locks.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: HVC on May 07, 2013, 08:25:23 AM
Quote from: Valmy on May 07, 2013, 08:14:40 AM
Quote from: HVC on May 07, 2013, 08:08:32 AMbald men have higher levels of testosterone, for whatever that's worth.

That makes no sense...why would having hair, which is associated with youth and a period of high testosterone levels, indicate low testosterone levels?

But something that happens when you get old, a period when you have lower testosterone levels, be associated with high testosterone levels? :hmm:

I thought it was just a genetic oddity.
high testosterone and a follicle sensitivity to testosterone is a bad combination lol.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: HVC on May 07, 2013, 08:26:37 AM
And most men start losing their hair in their early 20s anyway.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: merithyn on May 07, 2013, 08:38:14 AM
Quote from: Malthus on May 07, 2013, 08:02:05 AM
My mother when grey in her 20s.

The last straw for her was when my dad brought her lunch to her lab (they were both students at the time) and someone remarked how thoughtful it was for "her son to bring her lunch".

She's been colouring her hair ever since ...

Do you know how often people mistook me for Max's mother on campus? :contract: And that was WITHOUT the gray showing. :ultra: :glare:

To be fair, that mostly happened during his orientation week when it was primarily 18-19 year olds and their parents, but still... :glare:
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: garbon on May 07, 2013, 08:44:20 AM
Quote from: HVC on May 07, 2013, 08:26:37 AM
And most men start losing their hair in their early 20s anyway.

Wiki says that 25% of men starting losing their by 30.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: crazy canuck on May 07, 2013, 11:32:16 AM
Quote from: HVC on May 07, 2013, 08:26:37 AM
And most men start losing their hair in their early 20s anyway.

:huh:

Some rare cases start that early I would think.  From observation more start in their 30s but it becomes more noticeable in the 40s.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: Jacob on May 07, 2013, 01:02:14 PM
Quote from: Caliga on May 07, 2013, 06:37:30 AMI don't get why dudes still fear baldness, though... just shave your head.  It's cool.

Yeah. I'll be fine going bald, whenever/if that happens. Who cares?
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: alfred russel on May 07, 2013, 02:04:06 PM
Quote from: HVC on May 06, 2013, 08:45:35 PM
If you can't afford rogaine, Tim, you won't be able to afford whatever else they come up with.

Rogaine is not a cure for everyone.  :cry:
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: ulmont on May 07, 2013, 02:33:13 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on May 07, 2013, 02:04:06 PM
Quote from: HVC on May 06, 2013, 08:45:35 PM
If you can't afford rogaine, Tim, you won't be able to afford whatever else they come up with.

Rogaine is not a cure for everyone.  :cry:

It worked just fine for me, although after some serious "do I really want to be tied to taking this medicine for the rest of my life?" consideration I gave it up.  To an earlier point, this was at around 22-24, well before 30.
Title: Re: Gray hair cure? Scientists find root cause of discoloration
Post by: Eddie Teach on May 07, 2013, 03:20:02 PM
Quote from: merithyn on May 07, 2013, 08:38:14 AM
Quote from: Malthus on May 07, 2013, 08:02:05 AM
My mother when grey in her 20s.

The last straw for her was when my dad brought her lunch to her lab (they were both students at the time) and someone remarked how thoughtful it was for "her son to bring her lunch".

She's been colouring her hair ever since ...

Do you know how often people mistook me for Max's mother on campus? :contract: And that was WITHOUT the gray showing. :ultra: :glare:

To be fair, that mostly happened during his orientation week when it was primarily 18-19 year olds and their parents, but still... :glare:

Aren't you actually old enough to be his mother?