Pifu-xingbing zhenliaoxue zazhi (Oct 2022)

Analysis of basic characteristics and influencing factors of white hair in 146 females

  • Min LIU,
  • Jiaxin XIE,
  • Ying LV,
  • Ke ZHU,
  • Peizhen ZHAO,
  • Hua XIAN,
  • Maoqiang CAI

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-8468.2022.05.009
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 29, no. 5
pp. 439 – 445

Abstract

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Objective To explore basic characteristics and related influencing factors of white hair in females in Guangzhou city, and to provide clinical data for the intervention of white hair. Methods A total of 146 females with white hair, aged 18-60 years, were recruited from the Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University and the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from November 2021 and May 2022. Questionnaire survey and dermatological physical examination were carried out. Subjects were divided into early or late premature hair graying (PHG). Data analysis included single-factor analysis of 11 factors (BMI, dietary habits, hair ironing and dyeing habits, sleeping habits and so on), and multiple factor analysis of 5 factors, i.e., BMI, dietary habits, physical exercise frequency, familial history of PHG, smoking or a history of exposure to second hand smoke. Results ① The median age of initial appearance of white hair was 35.50 years, of which 56 cases (38.36%) were early PHG. Initial involved sites were mainly the vertex and frontal scalp. Localized and diffuse white hair accounted for 59.59% (87 cases) and 40.41% (59 cases), respectively. Forty-nine (87.50%) subjects in PHG group were mild (number of white hair: 100). The severity of white hair differed significantly between the two groups (χ2=11.54, P<0.05). ② Subjects on diet, including eating more fresh vegetables and fruits or regularly doing exercise or without family history of PHG had a lower risk of PHG (all P<0.05). A history of smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke as well as BMI were not independent risk factor for PHG. Conclusions The age and the involved site of initial white hair of females in Guangzhou were approximately identical to others reported in Asian population. Diet, exercise frequency and family history of PHG were independent risk factors for PHG. Taking more fresh vegetables and fruits as well as keeping regular exercise may prevent PHG.

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