Abstract
Hair aging comprises weathering of the hair shaft and aging of the hair follicle. Aging of the follicle manifests as a decrease of melanocyte function or graying, and decrease in hair production in androgenetic and senescent alopecia. The study of hair aging focuses on two main streams of interest: the esthetic problem of aging hair and its management and also the biological problem of aging hair in terms of microscopic, biochemical and molecular changes. The scalp is subject to intrinsic or physiologic aging and extrinsic aging due to external factors. Intrinsic factors are related to individual genetic and epigenetic mechanisms with interindividual variation. Examples of genetic factors are familial premature graying and androgenetic alopecia. Extrinsic factors include UV radiation and smoking. The appearance of hair plays an important role in people’s overall physical appearance and self-perception. With today’s increasing life-expectancy, the desire to look youthful plays a bigger role than ever. The hair-care industry has become aware of this, and has subsequently adapted to become more able to deliver active products that are directed towards meeting this consumer demand. The discovery of pharmacological targets and the development of safe and effective drugs indicate drug industry strategies for the maintenance of healthy hair. Currently available treatment modalities with proven efficacy for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia are topical minoxidil, oral finasteride and autologous hair transplantation. Hair-care products include humefactants, hair conditioners, photoprotectors and antioxidants. In the absence of another way to reverse hair graying, hair colorants are the mainstay of covering lost hair color. Topical liposome targeting for melanins, genes and proteins selectively to hair follicles, and tissue engineering of hair follicles are under current investigation.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The author has no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.