Is There a Rationale for the Use of an Alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone Analog to Improve Gray Hair Repigmentation?

This study investigated the use of palmitoyl tetrapeptide 20 (PT-20), an α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone analog, for gray hair repigmentation in 14 patients over 6 months. Despite theoretical benefits, the results showed no significant clinical improvement in hair repigmentation, with 78.6% of patients showing no change according to at least two examiners. The study highlights the discrepancy between patient self-assessment and examiner evaluations, possibly due to patient expectations. The authors note the study's limitations, including a small sample size and short duration, and call for further research to validate these findings.