The (A)Symmetry of the Male Graying Beard Hairs as an Indication of the Programmed Aging Process

Abstract

Aging interventions will be ineffective if we do not understand the basic principles of aging. Currently, there is no consensus on the issue whether aging is programmed or not. The hypothesis presented in this article indicates that aging (at least graying of male hairs) is programmed. This hypothesis is supported by the symmetry of the graying of male beard hairs. According to stochastic theories of aging, aging is a passive non-programmed process where random dispersion of graying hairs should result. On the contrary, programmed theories of aging would predict that there should be symmetry on the left and right parts of the face showing the same proportion, pattern and time of appearance of graying hairs.

Keywords

• Graying beard hair
• Graying hair
• Aging
• Programmed theory of aging
• Stochastic theory of aging