Stable Analytic Extrapolations in the Theory of Strong Interactions
TLDR Oxidative stress causes hair graying by damaging hair follicle melanocytes more than skin melanocytes.
The study explored the impact of aging on melanocyte behavior in hair follicles and epidermis, focusing on oxidative stress and its role in hair graying. It found that hair follicle melanocytes (HFMs) were more susceptible to aging than epidermal melanocytes (EMs), with a significant reduction in catalase expression and activity in older donors, leading to increased oxidative stress. This oxidative stress, exacerbated by reduced catalase, was linked to the loss of hair pigment and the increase in white hairs. The study highlighted the importance of catalase in protecting melanocytes from aging-related oxidative damage, suggesting that oxidative stress is a major factor in hair graying.