Depending on whether we are Asian, black or Caucasian, our hair does not age in the same way, nor show the same signs of aging at the same age, reveals a study.
- Although having a similar chemical composition, the hair of Africans, Asians and Caucasians does not all age in the same way, or at the same rate.
- Thus, the first gray hairs often appear around 30 years in Asians and Caucasians, against 40 years in Africans.
Aging may be an inevitable biological process, but not all humans are equal in the face of it, especially when it comes to hair changes. While some people will show their first white hair in their twenties, others will be spared for many years to come. The same goes for loss of volume, porous or thinning hair, which are other signs of hair aging.
A new study, published Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, focused for the first time on the role that ethnicity plays in hair ageing. Its authors describe the unique characteristics of hair aging depending on whether one is black, Asian or Caucasian.
A similar chemical composition
The researchers conducted a literature search of 69 publications to examine what is known about changes in hair structure over time, focusing on differences in hair aging by ethnicity. They collected information regarding hair structure, aging characteristics, and responses to extrinsic damage.
As with skin, hair aging includes both intrinsic ageing, which is the natural physiological changes that occur over time, and extrinsic ageing, associated with environmental exposures and physical stress caused by daily care.
“Despite having a similar chemical composition, the structural properties of hair vary between different ethnicities and therefore the aging of hair also differs. As the population ages and becomes more diverse, there is a growing need to understand the aging process different types of hair”says Neelam Vashi, associate professor of dermatology at Boston University School of Medicine and director of the Boston University Cosmetic and Laser Center at Boston Medical Center.
Different aging according to ethnicity
The study thus concludes that the appearance of the first white hair varies according to race: on average 30 years for Caucasians and Asians, and 40 years for Africans. Caucasians and Asians typically see damage at the distal shaft of the hair, while African Americans see damage occur closer to the root of the hair. After menopause, women often experience a decrease in anagen (active or growing) hair in the frontal scalp, lower growth rates, and smaller hair diameter.
According to the researchers, the role of hair in both protection and cosmetic enhancement makes it incredibly important for people’s physical and mental well-being. “A thorough understanding of the unique characteristics of graying hair in different races and ethnicities is essential for the appropriate management of adult patients”concludes Professor Vashi.
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