Concerned about your hair going gray, the thickness of your head hair or the lack of separation between your eyebrows?
Researchers may have isolated a host of genes that are associated with human hair growth and color, including individual genes that are associated with unibrows, beard and eyelash thickness, hair consistency and color, and potential for baldness later in life.
Breakthrough Scientific Discovery in London
Researchers working at University College London under Kaustubh Adhikari released their findings in a recent report that identified the gene IRF4, which was already associated with melanin production, as potentially responsible for the greying of human hair. The presence of this gene in a person's genetic structure was linked in studies to an increased propensity for early hair loss. It was previously associated with paler hair shades, and scientists had previously hypothesized that IRF4 was indicative of lower melanin production in a person.
Painstakingly Detailed Trials
Dr. Adhikari and his team looked at the genetic data for a diverse pool of over 6,300 people across Latin America, and compared physical traits like hair color and consistency to genes that they had already identified as potential influencers. Although the research was not theoretically complicated, the process was extremely painstaking and took a large team of graduate students and doctoral candidates a very long time to complete.
What Does This Discovery Mean For Me?
The implications of this research are wide ranging in many different fields of science, including cosmetics. Standard hair products are typically only available to people after they have already begun balding or greying -- if doctors can show conclusively that the presence of a particular gene like IRF4 leads to baldness or premature greying, then scientists can target the hair as it is being produced. Obviously, combating baldness in infants or toddlers seems like a silly idea, but genetic manipulation in young age could potentially change the story on balding.
The research also has potential uses outside of the insular world of cosmetics. Dr. Adhikari claims that, with a bit more research, forensic scientists could actually build facial profiles and determine certain aspects of a suspect's appearance by using DNA left at the scene. Either way, the isolation of a gene that influences hair color is exciting -- thanks to scientific discovery, we're now closer to avoiding expensive coloring treatments at the hairdresser altogether!
Solutions for Hair Loss
At Apollo Hair Replacement of Dallas / Fort Worth, we take pride in being able to offer you both surgical and non-surgical hair loss solutions. By introducing new and innovative technologies, we can provide our clients with the widest array of hair loss solutions.
We understand what it's like to be frustrated in the search for answers. At Apollo of Dallas / Fort Worth that frustration ends! We strive not only to solve your hair loss problem, but to provide the most positive, comfortable, and confidential service in the hair replacement industry.
Call us now for a FREE consultation! Get your life back!
