The natural aging process of hair varies greatly depending on a person’s ethnicity. Researchers from Boston University, led by Mayra Maymone, have conducted a detailed study on the hair aging of different geographic populations. The process of graying and whitening of hair is caused by the reduction of the pigment melanin, which is produced less in older individuals. The speed of hair aging is mainly influenced by genetics and lifestyle, but it is also affected by a specific gene. The study found that hair aging and graying also depend on a person’s ethnicity.
To investigate the differences in hair aging among different ethnicities, the researchers analyzed 70 publications focusing on individuals of European, Asian, African, and Latin American descent. The analysis revealed that the onset of hair aging varies by several years depending on ethnicity. Caucasians typically begin graying in their mid-30s, Asians in their late 30s, and Africans not until they reach 45 years of age. The differences in the onset of graying are due to the melanosome organelles in pigment cells that produce and distribute melanin.
The study’s findings shed light on the complex nature of hair aging and the role that ethnicity plays in the process. The research highlights the importance of understanding the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to hair aging and graying. By gaining a better understanding of these factors, researchers may be able to develop new treatments and preventative measures to slow down or even reverse the aging process of hair.
