Herdiana Yedi
Department of Pharmaceutics and Formulation Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, West Java, Indonesia.
Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2025 Jun 17;18:1475-1494. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S526263. eCollection 2025.
Aging is an inevitable natural process, with gray hair being one of its most visible signs. Hair graying holds psychosocial importance and is an excellent model for studying human pigmentation and aging in an accessible mini-organ. This phenomenon results from decreased melanin production in hair follicles, influenced by genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Gray hair often poses aesthetic concerns and can be accelerated by environmental stressors, lifestyle choices, and nutritional deficiencies. Given the variation in onset and prevalence of gray hair, this study explores the underlying biological factors-namely, genetics, oxidative stress, and hormonal changes-to inform better prevention and treatment strategies. Recent advancements in prevention and treatment, such as topical melanin stimulants, antioxidants, dietary supplements, and low-level laser therapy (LLLT), offer promising approaches to managing gray hair. Understanding gray hair comprehensively-encompassing biological, psychological, and social dimensions-provides valuable insights into the aging process and can enhance overall well-being while addressing the stigma associated with aging. Our comprehensive analysis reveals that while graying correlates with certain health conditions, its primary significance is physiological rather than pathological. This understanding is essential for healthcare providers and the public to approach graying with scientific objectivity rather than social prejudice.
衰老是一个不可避免的自然过程，白发是其最明显的标志之一。白发具有社会心理重要性，是在一个易于研究的微型器官中研究人类色素沉着和衰老的绝佳模型。这种现象是由毛囊中黑色素生成减少导致的，受遗传、环境和生活方式因素影响。白发常常引发审美问题，环境压力源、生活方式选择和营养缺乏会加速白发的出现。鉴于白发出现的时间和发生率存在差异，本研究探讨潜在的生物学因素，即遗传学、氧化应激和激素变化，以提供更好的预防和治疗策略。预防和治疗方面的最新进展，如局部黑色素刺激剂、抗氧化剂、膳食补充剂和低强度激光疗法（LLLT），为应对白发提供了有前景的方法。全面理解白发，涵盖生物学、心理学和社会层面，能为衰老过程提供有价值的见解，并在解决与衰老相关的污名化问题的同时提高整体幸福感。我们的综合分析表明，虽然白发与某些健康状况相关，但其主要意义是生理性的而非病理性的。这种理解对于医疗保健提供者和公众以科学客观性而非社会偏见看待白发至关重要。
