Unearthing the first grey hair can feel alarming, perhaps making us realise we're older than we feel. But British scientists have had a major breakthrough that could mean future generations will no longer go grey.
Researchers at the University College London have discovered the "grey gene" that is responsible for premature silver hair and they're confident they'll be able to use drugs or cosmetics to switch the gene off in future. The research also unearthed the genes that influence hair curliness and the likelihood of growing a "monobrow", which could pave the way for potential beauty treatments.
Hair turns grey because as we age, the number of pigment cells (melanocytes) in our hair follicles drops, and they don't function as efficiently. The result is a slow dilution of pigment (melanin) in the hair, turning it white.
The researchers analysed the DNA of over 6,600 people in South America, due to the large variation in head hair appearance. Visual traits for each individual, such as monobrows, curly hair and different beard types, were compared to whole genome analysis results to identify the genes driving differences in people's appearance.
They identified the gene for hair going grey, the IRF4 gene, which was already known to be involved in hair colour because it regulates the production and storage of melanin. But this is the first time that scientists have shown it to be directly involved in conferring a tendency to go grey in both men and women. Researcher Dr Kaustubh Adhikari, from University College London, said:
"We already know several genes involved in balding and hair colour but this is the first time a gene for greying has been identified, as well as other genes influencing hair shape and density. It was only possible because we analysed a diverse melting pot of people, which hasn't been done before on this scale. These findings have potential forensic and cosmetic applications as we increase our knowledge on how genes influence the way we look."
Although some people, such as George Clooney, embrace going grey, many go to great lengths to cover it up. Britons spend on average £3 million a year on over-the-counter hair dyes and this finding could mean that changing hair could be possible in other ways, such as taking a drug which changed the expression of certain genes to alter appearance, turning blondes into brunettes or preventing grey hair.
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