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[[New research by scientists at New York University has unraveled what they believe is the mystery behind the graying of hair. The discovery offers hope to individuals who spend considerable time and money at hair salons to ward off this evidence of aging, but hair colorists say they don’t think they will be put out of business. Aron Ranen has more from New York City.]]
Content TypePackage
LanguageEnglish
Transcript/Script
PLAYBOOK SLUG: NYU-GRAY-HAIR-MYSTERY
HEADLINE: Researchers Discover Possible Roots of Gray Hair
TEASER: Will the discovery have a dramatic impact on the beauty industry? PUBLISHED AT: 4/27/23, 3:44 BYLINE: Aron Ranen
CONTRIBUTOR: DATELINE: New York City VIDEOGRAPHER: Aron Ranen, PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Tsikhanenka; caw VIDEO SOURCES: VOA PLATFORMS: WEB__TV_X__RADIO___ TRT: 2:40 VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath TYPE: TV UPDATE: ))
((INTRO: ))
[[New research by scientists at New York University has unraveled what they believe is the mystery behind the graying of hair. The discovery offers hope to individuals who spend considerable time and money at hair salons to ward off this evidence of aging, but hair colorists say they don’t think they will be put out of business. Aron Ranen has more from New York City.]]
[[NAT SOUND BEAUTY SALON ]]
((NARRATOR))
It's a hair miracle. Scientists at New York University believe they have identified the mechanisms that cause gray hair, offering hope to people who hate the evidence of aging but are leery of using chemical dyes as a cover up.
((Michele Parrella, Salon Customer)) ((In ENGLISH))
"I had been dyeing my hair about every four to six weeks, and during COVID, more gray came out and I was kind of letting it go. I feel like it became too much work and time; it wasn't just money; it was being in a salon so often.”
((NARRATOR))
This time-consuming and costly process of coloring hair could soon be a thing of the past. New research conducted by scientists at New York University has uncovered a mystery behind the graying of hair.
These researchers say hair pigmentation is an active process involving stem cells that travel up and down the hair follicle to produce pigment. As people age, some of the stem cells stop making this journey and become stranded in a small pouch-like area near the top of the hair follicle.
((Qi Sun, New York University Postdoctoral Researcher)) ((In ENGLISH))
“We found that some of the stem cells are stuck in a part of the environment where they're not supposed to be. And in that place, they are no longer able to access regeneration signals, so they don't participate in the generation of hair pigmentation.”
((NARRATOR))
These stranded stem cells are thought to be responsible for the loss of pigment – leading to the appearance of gray or white hair.
Scientists say this research could potentially lead to new treatments for gray hair.
((Qi Sun, New York University Postdoctoral Researcher)) ((In ENGLISH))
“One possible application of the study could be to try to mobilize those stuck stem cells to go back to the area where they get access to the signals to produce hair color.”
((NARRATOR))
How open are people with gray hair to a medical solution for their issue?
((Michele Parrella, Salon Customer)) ((In ENGLISH))
“I don't know if I would immediately take it. I would want to see how it goes for a while and see what the studies show, and if it's safe, possibly I would be into trying it.”
((NARRATOR))
Kali Ferrara is a top stylist in New York City. She feels that even with this new discovery, women will continue to want to color their hair.
((Kali Ferrara, Hair Stylist)) ((In ENGLISH))
“Women are still going to want to do things to their hair, whether it's cuts, going a different color than their natural, or just like enhancing their look in one way or another.”
((NARRATOR))
Ferrara feels this discovery will not have a dramatic impact on the beauty industry.
((Kali Ferrara, Hair Stylist))) ((In ENGLISH))
“I don't think that the beauty industry is going to die just because there's something that could possibly keep hair from turning gray.”
((NARRATOR))
Even with this hopeful news, it should be noted that this study was conducted on mice, and further research will be needed to determine whether these findings can apply to humans as well.
((Aron Ranen, for VOA News, New York City))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
New York City
Embargo DateApril 27, 2023 16:37 EDT
Byline
Aron Ranen, for VOA News, New York City
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
