Mayra B C Maymone1,2,3,4,5, Melissa Laughter1,2,3,4,5, Samara Pollock1,2,3,4,5, Iman Khan1,2,3,4,5, Thaís Marques1,2,3,4,5, Rana Abdat1,2,3,4,5, Lynne J Goldberg1,2,3,4,5, Neelam A Vashi1,2,3,4,5. 1. Drs. Maymone, Goldberg, and Vashi, Ms. Pollock, and Ms. Khan are with the Department of Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. 2. Drs. Maymone and Laughter are with the Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver, Colorado. 3. Dr. Marques is with the Department of Internal Medicine, Metrowest Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. 4. Dr. Abdat is with the Department of Dermatology, Tufts Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. 5. Dr. Vashi is also with the United States Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston Health Care System in Boston, Massachusetts.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Aging is an unavoidable biological process with many influencing factors, accounting for a multitude of visible manifestations on the hair as well as the skin. As the population ages while becoming more diverse, it is increasingly important to better understand the hair aging process. METHODS: A literature search was performed to review what is known about changes in hair structure over time, focusing on the differences in hair aging according to ethnic background. RESULTS: Sixty-nine publications were selected and information regarding hair structure, aging characteristics, and responses to extrinsic damage together with differences between races and ethnicities was collected. Hair-graying onset varies with race, with the average age for Caucasians being mid-thirties, that for Asians being late thirties, and that for Africans being mid-forties. Caucasians and Asians typically experience damage to the distal hair shaft, while African-Americans see damage occurring closer to the hair root. Postmenopausal changes include decreased anagen hairs in the frontal scalp, lower growth rates, and smaller hair diameters. CONCLUSION: There is a paucity of literature examining the characteristics of hair aging across all races. The unique characteristics of hair aging in different ethnicities provides information that will aid in a culturally sensitive approach and recommendations.
BACKGROUND: Aging is an unavoidable biological process with many influencing factors, accounting for a multitude of visible manifestations on the hair as well as the skin. As the population ages while becoming more diverse, it is increasingly important to better understand the hair aging process. METHODS: A literature search was performed to review what is known about changes in hair structure over time, focusing on the differences in hair aging according to ethnic background. RESULTS: Sixty-nine publications were selected and information regarding hair structure, aging characteristics, and responses to extrinsic damage together with differences between races and ethnicities was collected. Hair-graying onset varies with race, with the average age for Caucasians being mid-thirties, that for Asians being late thirties, and that for Africans being mid-forties. Caucasians and Asians typically experience damage to the distal hair shaft, while African-Americans see damage occurring closer to the hair root. Postmenopausal changes include decreased anagen hairs in the frontal scalp, lower growth rates, and smaller hair diameters. CONCLUSION: There is a paucity of literature examining the characteristics of hair aging across all races. The unique characteristics of hair aging in different ethnicities provides information that will aid in a culturally sensitive approach and recommendations.
Authors: Marie Skřontová; Lucie Šimkova; Václav Bittner; Bohumil Chalupa; Josef Zeman; Karel Jelen Journal: Neuro Endocrinol Lett Date: 2017-07 Impact factor: 0.765
Authors: Ehiaghe L Anaba; Olusola Ayanlowo; Olufolakemi M Cole-Adeife; Erere Otrofanowei; Ayesha O Akinkugbe; Itohan R Oaku; Ireneh Akwara Journal: Ghana Med J Date: 2022-03