Premature grey hair

Premature grey hair means getting grey hairs before the age of 20 years in Caucasians and before 30 years in African American population ¹. Few authors have suggested that 25 years can be used as a cutoff for people in the Indian subcontinent ². Grey hair is more obvious in people with darker hair because it stands out, but people with naturally light hair are just as likely to go grey. The exact cause remains unknown, although premature greying has been associated with premature aging disorders, atopy, and autoimmune diseases. In a detailed study among employees of the Department of the Environment Bulpitt et al ³ observed that, in men but not women, smoking was associated with an increase in apparent biological age over chronological age. An observational study ⁴ suggests a link between smoking and grey hair in both men and women and between smoking and baldness in men, but it cannot demonstrate a causal link. Patients, who present with premature grey hair, should be assessed for syndromes and metabolism diseases ⁵.

Gray hair has some color with sparsely distributed melanosomes; however, white hair is completely deprived of melanosomes and color. White hair occurs only on the scalp ⁶. Gray hair is coarser, stiffer, and harder to manage than darker hair ⁷. The rate of growth and thickness of nonpigmented hair are significantly greater than dark hair ⁸. Graybeard hair can grow up to four times faster than pigmented hair ⁹. Not only is gray hair more sensitive to weathering but also more prone to damage by UV radiation ⁷. Gray hair demands increased photoprotection and are less likely to hold artificial color due to structural changes in hair fiber ¹⁰. Furthermore, the removal of gray and white facial hair by laser is challenging as it lacks melanin chromophore ¹¹.

There is no single widely recognized standard scoring system to determine the severity of premature gray hair. Attempts have been made to classify graying as mild, moderate, and severe based on percentage of hair involved, number of hair involved, or percentage of hair affected in various areas of the scalp. These grading systems used questionnaires and clinical examination to assess the severity of graying ¹².

The rule of thumb states that by the age of 50 years, 50% of the population would have 50% of their hair turned gray ¹³. A recent study, however, reported a far less percentage of affected population ¹⁴. In men, graying first occurs in the temples and sideburns. It spreads to the vertex and rest of the scalp involving the occiput the last. In women, graying is first noticed at the boundaries of the scalp. The rate of progression of graying is determined by various factors, though mainly genetic. Furthermore, the rate of graying could vary in different areas on the scalp ¹⁵. A study on Korean population ¹⁶ revealed interesting clinical findings. Temporal and occipital areas were more affected in men than women. Furthermore, graying started in frontal area in women in contrast to the temporal area in men. Those with the onset of graying before 40 years, the parietal and temporal areas were affected more. Those who noticed the onset of graying after 40 years had more graying in the frontal area. Interestingly, the early onset of graying did not correlate with rapid progression. Regardless of the age of the onset, there was a rapid progression of graying in the fifth decade.

Several studies have tried to assess the relationship between premature gray hair and other diseases. The Copenhagen City Heart study ¹⁷ found an increased risk of myocardial infarction in men with gray hair than those without gray hair. At the same time, they did not see an association between premature gray hair and early mortality ¹⁸. Two other studies ¹⁹, ²⁰ also reported the association of premature gray hair and cardiovascular diseases; however, Glasser ²¹ found no association between the two. Aggarwal et al. ²² found that premature gray hair was a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease among smokers. Premature gray hair was reported as a risk factor for low bone mineral density by some studies. However, newer studies conflict this association ²³, ²⁴. A newer study ²⁵ tried to explore the relationship between hearing loss and premature gray hair. Patients with premature hair graying had hearing impairment at extended high frequencies. They concluded that premature gray hair may be an important risk factor for hearing loss. These associations deserve further in-depth exploration.

Hair dyes remain the main modality of the treatment for cosmetic concerns after nutritional supplementation.

Pigmentation of hair

Hair pigmentation is one of the most unique features in humans ranging from black, brown, and blonde to red. The color of human hair is due to pigment melanin produced by melanocytes which are neural crest derivatives. Human hair follicles contain two types of melanin as follows: eumelanin and pheomelanin. The diversity of hair color arises mostly from the quantity and ratio of black-brown eumelanin and reddish-brown pheomelanin. It has been hypothesized that the pH and cysteine level of melanosomes influences the phenotype of hair. As pH reduces, there is a progressive reduction in tyrosinase activity leading to increased pheomelanin and reddish or blonde hair ²⁶. A mutation in melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene causes auburn or red color of hair. This mutation is seen usually in individuals of Northern Europe with less sun exposure ²⁷. A study in 2012 showed a recessive mutation in tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1) in people with blonde hair ²⁸.

There are various differences between pigmentation in the skin and that of hair. Each melanocyte is associated with five keratinocytes in the hair bulb forming a “hair follicle-melanin unit.” In contrast, each melanocyte in the skin is associated with 36 keratinocytes constituting an “epidermal-melanin unit” ²⁹. Unlike in the skin where pigment production is continuous, melanogenesis in the hair is closely associated with stages of the hair cycle. Hair is actively pigmented in the anagen phase and is “turned off” during the catagen phase and absent during telogen ³⁰.

The pigmentary unit is a pear-shaped black structure at the tip of dermal papilla in pigmented hair ³¹. In gray hair, the pigmentary unit becomes fuzzy, the melanocytes become few and rounded, and lightly pigmented oligodendritic melanocytes become visible in the proximal hair bulb ³². During anagen, there is a marked reduction in the number of melanocytes in the hair follicles through autophagolysosomal degeneration leading to pigment loss. This is thought to be central in the pathogenesis of graying ³³. Defective melanosomal transfer to cortical keratinocytes or melanin incontinence due to melanocyte degeneration contributes to graying. Degenerative changes within the hair follicle are associated with an increase in dendritic cells in the hair follicle ¹. Eventually, there are no melanogenic melanocytes in the hair bulb.

There is earlier terminal differentiation of pigmented hair than nonpigmented hair. The growth rate, diameter of medulla, and average diameter of nonpigmented hair are higher than its pigmented counterpart ⁸.

Genetic and environmental elements influence the hair follicle stem cells and melanocytes. Telomere shortening, decrease in cell numbers, and certain transcription factors have all been implicated in this process of aging. In turn, these molecular alterations lead to structural modifications of the hair fiber, decrease melanin production, and lengthen of the telogen phase of the hair cycle ³⁴.

At the molecular level, various genes and signaling pathways that influence hair pigmentation are being studied. Receptors for bone morphogenic protein and activins that are Bmpr2 and Acvr2a are known to influence hair pigmentation ¹³. The reduced activity of Bmpr2 and Acvr2 can cause early graying in experimental mice ³⁵. The Notch signaling pathway influences various biological processes. Notch 1 and Notch 2 signaling pathways were reported to have a role in maintenance of hair pigmentation ³⁶. Stem cell factor is a cytokine involved in many physiological processes such as hematopoiesis. Recently, stem cell factor and its receptor (kit) are shown to have a role in melanogenesis during anagen phase ³⁷.

Premature grey hair causes

Till date, the exact cause of premature graying remains incompletely understood. The vast majority of people with gray hair have age-related graying. However, sometimes graying hair indicates an illness, especially if it occurs at a particularly young age. Health problems that may be heralded by gray hair include:

• Vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause premature gray hair through unknown mechanism. About 55% of patients with pernicious anemia had graying before 50 years as compared to 30% in the control group ³⁸.
• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). Decreased thyroid hormones cause premature graying, alopecia, and changes in hair morphology. Thyroid hormones T3 and T4 act on hair follicles directly to increase melanogenesis ³⁹.
  
• Neurofibromatosis also called Von Recklinghausen’s disease: this group of inherited diseases causes tumors to grow along nerves and abnormal development of the bones and skin.
• Tuberous sclerosis: an uncommon, inherited condition that causes benign tumors in multiple organs (including the brain, heart, kidneys, eyes, lungs, and skin).
• Vitiligo: this condition causes melanocytes (the cells at the base of hair follicles that produce color) to be lost or destroyed — perhaps because the immune system “misfires” and attacks the scalp rather than an infection.
• Alopecia areata: a disorder in which patches of hair may be suddenly lost, especially the colored (non-gray) hairs. This may lead to “overnight” graying because previously present gray or white hairs suddenly become more obvious. When hair growth resumes, it may be white or gray, but colored hair may eventually return.
• Genetics: if your parents suffer from premature grey hair (getting grey hairs in early 20’s or 30’s) then chances are you will grey sooner rather than later. The genetic factors responsible for pigmentary variations needs further investigation. A better understanding of melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) and other genes will go a long way to help in explaining the variation in skin and hair color in human populations.
• Psychological stress ⁴⁰
• Premature gray hair can occur as an autosomal dominant primary disease.
• Premature white hair can also occur with premature aging disorders such as progeria and pangeria ⁴¹.
• Certain chemotherapeutic drugs and antimalarials can cause premature gray hair. These drugs are thought to inhibit the receptor tyrosine kinase c-kit found in melanocytes reducing melanogenesis. Chloroquine preferentially reduces pheomelanin production by unknown mechanism ⁴².
• Association with atopic diathesis and autoimmune diseases has also been reported ².
• Smoking has been studied as an etiological agent in premature gray hair. Studies revealed that there was a significant correlation between smoking and premature hair graying. The possible explanation to this is the prooxidant effect of smoking on the body leading to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage to hair follicle melanocytes ⁴³.
• Reversible hypopigmentation of the hair can be seen in nutritional deficiencies protein-energy malnutrition and diseases of chronic loss of protein. Copper and iron deficiency also can cause graying of hair. A study reported significantly lower levels of copper in patients with premature gray hair when compared to the control group. The study, however, did not report lower levels of zinc or iron in the affected population ⁴⁴. A newer study of young Indian population reported lesser serum levels of ferritin, calcium, and Vitamin D3 levels in subjects prone to premature gray hair ⁴⁵. Another study highlighted the association of premature gray hair with lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C or “good cholesterol”) levels in Indian patients aged <25 years. They also reported that lower serum Vitamin B12 levels and Vitamin D levels in premature gray hair ⁴⁶. Further studies on Vitamin D3 and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C or “good cholesterol”) levels in premature gray hair would be worthwhile. There have been occasional reports of zinc deficiency and premature gray hair ⁴⁷. Copper, iron, calcium, and zinc have all been thought to influence melanogenesis and thus influence hair pigmentation.

Regardless of inherited genes, most people will start to show signs of greying as they get older. Chances of going grey increases 10-20% every decade after 30 years. With increasing age, melanocyte activity slows down and eventually stops so that melanin (pigment that gives color to hair) is no longer produced. New hair grows without color and is transparent hair that gives the appearance of grey hair against healthier darker hair.

The role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on graying of hair is most studied. During active growth phase, i.e., anagen phase there is active melanogenesis in the hair follicle. This involves hydroxylation of tyrosine and oxidation of dihydroxyphenylalanine to melanin causing enormous accumulative oxidative stress. The failure of antioxidant effect could damage melanocytes leading to decreased pigmentation ⁴⁸. Wood et al. ⁴⁹ demonstrated that the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide in hair follicles and absent expression of antioxidants such as catalase and methionine sulfoxide reductase in gray hair follicles. Their experiment supported the theory of prooxidant role in graying of hair. Oxidative stress can also be a result of ultraviolet (UV) rays, pollution, emotional factors, or inflammatory causes. Experiments have shown melanocyte apoptosis and oxidative damage in graying hair follicles. Furthermore, exogenous oxidative stress showed increased graying in the hair follicles ³². An experiment on mice demonstrated that UV radiation could cause oxidative damage on hair follicles causing hair graying. They also demonstrated that the protective effect of an antioxidant superoxide dismutase ⁵⁰. Numerous studies have demonstrated increased oxidative load due to psychological stress implying that even emotional factors play a role in premature graying ⁴⁰. A recent study on young adults in Turkey revealed that premature gray hair is closely related to factors causing oxidative stress such as emotional stress, alcohol consumption, and chronic diseases in genetically predisposed men and women ⁵¹. Daulatabad et al. ⁵² made an attempt to measure oxidative stress load in premature gray hair. They demonstrated an increase in prooxidants such as serum malonaldehyde, whole blood reduced glutathione, and serum ferric reducing antioxidant potential and decrease in antioxidants. Shi et al. ⁵³ demonstrated compromised antioxidant activity in gray hair follicles. Their experiments revealed that catalase protein expression and hydroxyl radical-scavenging activities are strongly repressed in unpigmented hair follicles.

Progeroid syndromes are associated with defective repair of DNA. Thus, DNA is more susceptible to oxidative stress ⁴¹. Vitiligo is another condition with early graying of hair. Melanocytes in patients with vitiligo are more sensitive to oxidative stress. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage to melanocytes leads to ectopic differentiation of stem cells and apoptosis of differentiated melanocytes ⁵⁴.

Premature gray hair differential diagnosis

Premature gray hair has to be differentiated from other causes of hypomelanotic hair disorders some of which can be localized. Albinism which can cause white hair. White hair in children can be due to neurocutaneous disorders such as in Griscelli, Chediak– Higashi, and Elejalde syndromes. Cross syndrome, Angelman, and Prader–Willi syndromes are other causes of gray hair in childhood. Metabolic syndromes such as phenylketonuria, histidinemia, oasthouse disease, and homocystinuria can cause light hair. Vitiligo is an important cause of localized white hair called poliosis. Poliosis is also seen in Piebaldism, Waardenburg syndrome, Woolf syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis ⁵⁵. Canities subita is a rare condition in which the patient complains of overnight graying of hair. Canities subita has been associated with vitiligo, telogen effluvium, and alopecia areata and psychogenic causes ⁵⁶.

Premature grey hair diagnosis

Premature grey hair is mainly a clinical diagnosis. Some authors suggest investigations involving serum Vitamin B12, folic acid, and thyroid levels to be conducted in individuals with no family history of premature graying ⁵⁷. The role of trichoscopy in grey hair remains to be explored.

Premature grey hair treatment

Although many patients visit dermatology outpatient for the treatment of premature gray hair, very few treatment options are satisfactory. The treatment for premature gray hair should be directed to address the underlying cause. Vitamin B12 deficiency and hypothyroidism are reversed with vitamin and hormone replacement, respectively. Plucking of gray hair is an easy option for individuals with <10% affected the scalp hair ⁵⁷. Most of the individuals must rely on hair colorants for restoration of hair color ⁵⁸. Hair colors can be prepared from natural products or can be synthesized artificially. They can be temporary or permanent colorants. Commonly, natural hair dyes are prepared from Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis), false daisy (Eclipta alba), and lotus tree (Zizyphus spina-christi) and Henna (Lawsonia alba). The advantage of natural hair dyes is that they are hypoallergenic and nontoxic ⁵⁹. Permanent hair dyes are most popular in the commercial market. There is a risk of damage to the hair shaft due to oxidation with permanent hair dyes. Temporary hair dyes do not penetrate the cuticle and wash out with shampooing ⁶⁰. Hair dyes not only help camouflage but also protect gray hair from photodamage ⁶¹. Some individuals experience irritant dermatitis (commonly due to p-phenylenediamine) and hair loss due to hair coloring ⁶².

Although various vitamins and minerals such as biotin, calcium pantothenate, zinc, copper, and selenium are being prescribed, the results have not been promising. Calcium pantothenate is a commonly prescribed agent for premature gray hair. Pasricha ⁶³ reported the cases of successful treatment of premature gray hair in two adolescent girls treated with 200 mg of calcium pantothenate daily. They further investigated on 39 patients and concluded that high doses (200 mg/day) were beneficial for premature gray hair. In addition, when combined with gray hair avulsion therapy, it yielded better results. Not all gray hair that were avulsed grew back as gray hair ⁶³.

There have been anecdotal reports of temporary hair darkening with P-aminobenzoic acid (PABA). Sieve administered 200 mg PABA to 30 patients for 2 months and repigmentation was seen in all subjects ⁶⁴. Zarafontes ⁴⁴ reported repigmentation of gray hair in patients who had received PABA for various indications. The authors, however, do not recommend the use of PABA for the sole purpose of darkening hair. Psoralen and UV A (PUVA)-sol was reported to be effective in premature gray hair in one study. PUVA therapy stimulates melanocytes leading to pigmentation ⁶⁵. However, repeated experiments failed to yield similar results ⁶⁶. Topical prostaglandins have been used to stimulate melanogenesis. Bellandi et al. reported repigmentation of gray hair after using Latanoprost for around 3 years ⁶⁷.

Recent advances include addition of antioxidants in shampoos such as Vitamins C and E. However, their efficacy has been questioned due to short contact period. Green tea extract, selenium, copper, phytoeastrogens, and melatonin are being studied as attractive topical anti-aging compounds. Recombinant human growth hormone has resulted in improved hair thickness, growth, and even darkening of hair ⁶². Skulachev et al. ⁶⁸ presented their work on preventing senescence in a recent article. A new type of compounds (SkQs) comprising plastoquinone SkQs, antioxidant has been shown to inhibit age-related changes such as canities, balding, retinopathy, cataract, etc. Thus, SkQs look promising for the treatment of senescence and age-related diseases. Delivery of drugs through hair follicular route is an interesting novel concept. Current research focuses on topical liposome targeting for melanin, genes, and proteins in hair follicles. Liposomal delivery of melanin into hair follicles has resulted in darkening of hair follicles. Liposomes can be used to selectively target hair follicles in molecular therapy and gene therapy to restore hair color ⁶⁹.

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