George Clooney may be able to pull it off, but for most people grey hair is just an unwelcome sign of ageing. Now a new study has shed light on why hair turns grey, paving the way for potential treatments which could help hair retain its natural colour.

Researchers at the New York University Langone Medical Centre think that a breakdown in communication between the stem cells in hair follicles and melanocyte stem cells may be the cause of hair turning grey.
Melanocytes are the pigment producing cells which give hair its colour, while follicle stem cells are responsible for the growth of new hair.

"We have known for decades that hair follicle stem cells and pigment-producing melanocycte cells collaborate to produce coloured hair, but the underlying reasons were unknown," said Dr. Mayumi Ito, who led the study.
The scientists used a mouse model to examine how the follicle cells and melanocytes work together to generate hair growth and produce hair colour.

They identified a signalling pathway - known as Wnt - which follicle cells use to send instructions to, and activate stem cell melanocytes. Once they receive the Wnt signal, the melanocytes start producing pigment which gives hair its colour.

Inhibiting Wnt signalling in hair follicle stem cells inhibited both hair re-growth and prevented melanocyte stem cell activation leading to depigmented or grey hair in mice.

The study findings suggest that manipulating the Wnt signalling pathway may help prevent hair turning grey and even prevent hair thinning.

If scientists managed to achieve this in humans, it would be welcome news to the many men and women of a certain age who spend a small fortune on hair colouring.


http://uk.health.lifestyle.yahoo.net/Clue-to-why-hair-turns-grey.htm

...some are happy to age gracefully...others prefer a touch up every now and then like my mum...lol...but if it puts a smile on her dial....then its great.....am sure one day she will let it gray gracefully but until that day we just give her wonderful comments when we know she has had a touch up....lol

Interesting but doesn't really bother me. Though eventually when my hair decides to go grey I might be begging for a medical breakthrough. I just hope I don't overreact like the manager at work who found a grey hair, took off from work and got his hair cut off. Now it looks darker than ever...

Some men look better with grey hair I reckon. Todd Blackadder is probably an example.

Since we're not all George Clooney l guess L'll put up with a bit of grey colour and won't be shaving my head to hid the baldness or greys. I bet any medical breakthrough will cost an arm and a leg.

Scientist reveal why hair turns grey - simple, OLD AGE, something we've known since birth. What a waste of money to research this why not reasearch something we want to know like "Why is wood brown?"

A few years ago I was just starting to grey on the sides. Now there are a few more white hairs when there were none, also my skin is more wrinkly. I guess I am getting old. I wish the scientists will come up with a tonic that will bring back your youth.

No greys yet, except a few on my chin... thinning alot though, may need to crop it shorter.... the ladies won't let me shave it off yet though :(

Vitamins are essential for your body to perform on a daily basis. Funnily enough, this also includes hair growth and coloring. Of all the vitmans, B12 and C are two of the most essential vitamins that are required to prevent/inhibit grey hair. These two vitamins keep your blood clean, and assists in boosting your liver's filtration function. Initially, when free radicals invade your blood, our system is slow to respond. This includes the bodies ability to produce melanocytes. Natural foods high with high concentrations of these vitamins include seeds, nuts, citrus fruits and green leafy vegetables.

I don't know how I would react when my hair turns gray so this could come in handy if/when that day comes...!!

Question: i think there are a lot more older gentlemen with gray hair than older ladies. is it true that women are more concerned with gray hair than men or are men equally as concerned but they just can't be bothered doing something about it??