No evidence of cure to prevent hair going grey

Conclusion This study aimed to investigate whether two chemicals – hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite – accumulate in the skin of people with segmental vitiligo, which affects up to a quarter of people with vitiligo. They then looked at whether treatment with a light-activated pseudocatalase, that reduces the concentration of hydrogen peroxide, would allow the lost skin colour to return. They found that the treatment was successful in five people with segmental vitiligo (either isolated or in combination with nonsegmental). The study offers hope of a possible treatment for segmental vitiligo, although so far it has been tested in only very few patients. Well-conducted trials in much larger numbers of people will be needed before it can be determined how effective it is. Although previous research has demonstrated that hydrogen peroxidase also accumulates in grey hair follicles, this study did not look at whether treatment with pseudocatalases or other substances could be used to treat grey hair. For this rather fundamental reason, it is not possible to say from this study whether or not there could be a cure for grey hair. However, the potential market for an effective hair colouring treatment is huge: recent figures show that the hair dye market is essentially recession-proof. It would be surprising if this study did not lead to further research into the applications of the techniques used in the study. Analysis by Bazian. Edited by NHS Choices. Follow Behind the Hea...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Medical practice Medication Source Type: news