The news that a cure for vitiligo has been found due to the research to reverse the effects of graying hair, is circulating every form of media. The truth is, though, this is not a new concept. For years we have considered a link between the buildup of hydrogen peroxide on the skin and vitiligo. Scientists have now discovered that the buildup of hydrogen peroxide in hair follicles is what causes hair to turn gray (a.k.a. oxidative stress); hence, linking it to vitiligo.
What is oxidative stress in vitiligo?
This is one theory about what may cause or contribute to the onset or exacerbation of vitiligo. Oxidative stress is an over-accumulation of hydrogen peroxide in the skin. Every person develops hydrogen peroxide in the skin, as a result of natural biological processes. An enzyme called “catalase” normally breaks down the hydrogen peroxide in the skin into water and oxygen. However, some people with vitiligo may have a problem manufacturing, using or delivering catalase to the skin.
Great info right? It’s been on my site and the Vitiligo Support site for years.
A cure for vitiligo is near
I’m not trying to throw cold water on the excitement that a cure for vitiligo has been found, I just want to emphasize that it hasn’t exactly been found; however, we are another step closer.
The effect of pseudocatalase/superoxide dismutase in the treatment of vitiligo: A pilot study
Here is the article I read yesterday about the discovery:
Grey hair ‘a thing of the past’ after scientists discover why follicles become discoloured
A cure for grey hair could be available in the future after scientists said they had discovered the secret as to why follicles become discoloured as we grow older.
By Louise Gray
11:03AM BST 06 May 2013
Scientists found people who are going grey build up hydrogen peroxide in the hair follicle, which causes hair to bleach itself from the inside out.
However this could be reversed by “an antioxidant” cocktail that allows “re-pigmentation” of the hair.
The discovery of what makes hair grey, published in the FASEB (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology) journal, was actually made whilst investigating the skin disease vitiligo.
The condition, which Michael Jackson claimed so suffer from, causes loss of inherited skin and hair colour.
The team, which included experts from Bradford University’s School of Life Sciences, blamed “massive epidermal oxidative stress” that leads to the build up of hydrogen peroxide.
For the study, the research team analysed an international group of 2,411 patients with vitiligo. The patients were treated with a drug known as pseudocatalase activated via sunlight. Researchers noticed that the pigment of the skin and eyelashes returned.
Gerald Weissman, FASEB Journal editor-in-chief, said the same treatment could be developed to allow “repigmentation” of grey hair – or indeed to stop it going grey in the first place.
“For generations, numerous remedies have been concocted to hide grey hair but now, for the first time, an actual treatment that gets to the root of the problem has been developed.”
In the mean time he said the priority was to develop a treatment for vitiligo, that can cause serious social problems for patients.
“While this is exciting news, what’s even more exciting is that this also works for vitiligo,” he said.
“This condition, while technically cosmetic, can have serious socio-emotional effects of people.
“Developing an effective treatment for this condition has the potential to radically improve many people’s lives.”
Professor Karin Schallreuter, the lead author and specialist in vitiligo, also said the important thing is to develop treatments for vitiligo.
“To date, it is beyond any doubt that the sudden loss of the inherited skin and localised hair colour can affect those individuals in many fundamental ways,” she said.
“The improvement of quality of life after total and even partial successful repigmentation has been documented.”