Links to Other Health Conditions

Premature graying has been associated with certain medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, vitiligo, vitamin B12 deficiency, and anemia. Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition in which the cells that make pigment (melanocytes) are destroyed, resulting in patches of hair and skin that become white.

There may also be a link with decreased bone mineral density in postmenopausal women, which is a risk factor for osteoporosis. In a study of 293 healthy postmenopausal women, those who had experienced premature graying of a majority of their hair by age 40 had decreased bone densitythroughout their bones compared with comparable women who did not have premature graying.

But more recent research published in Osteoporosis International showed the opposite -- that going prematurely gray is not necessarily an indicator of osteoporosis.

Can Anything Be Done?

With so many new lasers and dermatological treatments coming out these days, is there any way to stop or even reverse premature graying? Quartz Light rays have been mentioned, but Bank scoffs: "Yes, there have been attempts to stimulate color production. If this worked, though, don't you think people would come flocking?"

Basically, people who stop plucking have no choice but the dye bottle -- or the bold grab for "distinguished" that Anderson Cooper, Phil Donohue, and Bill Clinton have championed.

Women usually reach for the dye bottle, not wanting to be "dated" by a bossy society that disdains aging. If men take this route, they would do well to try a semipermanent dye at first. Make it one shade light than your natural color. If it is too light it won't color.

Cooper also recommends keeping gray hair short and trim. If you grow it long, he has written, you look like a roadie for Peter, Paul, and Mary.

If you do decide to wear your gray with pride, you have the Bible on your side. "Gray hair is a crown of glory," one proverb states. "It is gained in a righteous life."

Of course, people lived to about 35 then and didn't have as long to gaze upon their "glorious crown" of prematurely gray hair.

Star Lawrence is a medical journalist based in the Phoenix area.

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