Facing the bald truth is no grey area

IRISHMAN Des Tobin, the first scientist to grow human hair pigment cells in the laboratory, is professor of cell biology at Bradford University.

He recently revealed on RTÉ radio’s Mooney Show that a pill to stop hair turning grey may soon be available. Now undergoing initial testing, the pill is designed to be taken each day like a dietary supplement. It won’t, unfortunately, help those whose hair has already lost colour but will slow the onset of fading. The cosmetic company which puts such a pill on the market will tap into a huge demand.

Hair colour is produced by pigment cells which become oxidised and die. Scientists, seeking a way to prevent this happening, decided to search for a fruit extract rather than develop an artificial compound. One extract they found, the identity of which is a closely-guarded secret, seems to protect pigment cells and keep them alive. If all goes well at the testing stage and field trials are successful, grey hair will become for less common among middle aged people than it is today.