Revolutionary Discovery: Potential Technique to Reverse Gray Hair Uncovered
Researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine have made a significant breakthrough in understanding why hair turns gray. This discovery potentially paves the way for reversing the aging process that affects hair pigmentation.
The study, published in Nature journal, unveils that melanocyte stem cells (McSCs) – the cells responsible for hair color – can become “stuck” in hair follicles. This prevents them from producing the pigments needed for colored hair. Dr. Mayumi Ito, the lead researcher, explained, “it is the loss of chameleon-like function in melanocyte stem cells that may be responsible for graying and loss of hair color.”
The research team discovered that these stem cells normally move between different compartments within hair follicles, transitioning between dormant and active states. However, as people age, these cells can become trapped in one location, losing their ability to mature into pigment-producing cells.
When researchers artificially aged mouse hair through repeated plucking, the number of stuck stem cells increased from 15% to nearly 50%. This finding suggests that the aging process may similarly affect human hair.
Dr. Qi Sun, a study investigator, stated, “The newfound mechanisms raise the possibility that the same fixed-positioning of melanocyte stem cells may exist in humans.” The team is now exploring methods to restore mobility to these trapped cells. This could potentially reverse or prevent gray hair by helping the cells move freely between follicle compartments again.
Source: https://nyulangone.org/news/study-links-stuck-stem-cells-hair-turning-gray