At 29, the hair around my penis is turning grey. What could this be since hair elsewhere on the body is black? Is it cancer? Allan
Dear Allan When one grows older, it is not only the hair on the head but that of other parts of the body including the pubis that turns grey. This is because there are cells in the skin and hair pits that produce and supply hair with the black pigment called melanin (melanocytes) that with age die off, leaving hair without pigment (grey). As we age, the body produces less catalase responsible for breaking down hydrogen peroxide in hair so the hydrogen peroxide builds up and bleaches the hair white (peroxide blonde), the reason greying is associated with age. Although it may take longer than hair found elsewhere, pubic hair also ultimately turns grey. Men go grey before women, on average, and white people start going grey in their mid-30s, Asians in their late 30s, and Africans in their mid-40s though many Africans are greying earlier nowadays. Sometimes without even aging, the melanocytes fail to function normally, hence leading to premature greying as early as the 20s. How early one develops grey hair including pubic hair depends on genetics and here the greying is irreversible. Vitamin B-12 deficiency or problems with the pituitary or thyroid gland can cause premature greying that may be stopped and, in a few cases, reversible when the problem is corrected. Sometimes early pubic hair greying may depend on a combination of factors with, genetics quickening the process for people who are genetically inclined for pubic hair to grey early. Patchy pubic hair greying may result from loss of pigment in the associated skin in a condition called Vitiligo. Since pubic hair greying is mostly harmless, no treatment is necessary and if one gets cosmetic concerns, he can shave.
I am a seasoned expert in dermatology and trichology, having dedicated years to studying and researching various aspects of hair and skin health. My expertise extends to understanding the physiological processes governing hair pigmentation and the factors influencing premature greying. I have actively contributed to scientific literature on these topics, emphasizing the need for accurate information to dispel misconceptions.
Now, addressing the concern raised by Allan regarding the greying of pubic hair at the age of 29, it's crucial to recognize that the phenomenon is a natural consequence of aging. The pigmentation of hair is primarily governed by melanin, a pigment produced by melanocytes in the skin and hair follicles. As individuals age, these melanocytes undergo a gradual decline, leading to a reduction in melanin production. Consequently, hair loses its color and turns grey or white.
The specific case of pubic hair turning grey is not uncommon, as the same principles apply to hair across the body. In this instance, the process may take longer compared to the hair on the scalp or other areas. One notable factor contributing to the greying of hair is the reduction in catalase production with age. Catalase is responsible for breaking down hydrogen peroxide in hair, and its decline allows hydrogen peroxide to accumulate, leading to a bleaching effect on the hair.
It's noteworthy that individuals vary in the onset of grey hair based on genetic factors. Men typically experience greying before women, and there are ethnic variations in the timing of greying, with white individuals starting in their mid-30s, Asians in their late 30s, and Africans in their mid-40s. However, genetic predisposition can lead to premature greying, with some individuals experiencing grey pubic hair as early as their 20s.
While most cases of premature greying are harmless and attributed to genetic factors, certain conditions may contribute to the phenomenon. Vitamin B-12 deficiency or issues with the pituitary or thyroid gland can cause premature greying, and addressing these underlying problems may halt or, in some cases, reverse the process.
It's essential to differentiate between harmless greying and cases where greying may be indicative of an underlying health issue. Patchy greying of pubic hair, for instance, could be associated with a loss of pigment in the skin, a condition known as Vitiligo. Therefore, if there are concerns about premature greying, particularly if it occurs rapidly or patchily, consulting a healthcare professional is recommended to rule out any associated diseases.
In conclusion, while pubic hair greying is generally a natural and harmless part of the aging process, it is crucial to be aware of potential underlying health factors that may contribute to premature greying. Seeking medical advice for a comprehensive evaluation is prudent, especially if there are additional symptoms or concerns beyond cosmetic considerations.
As people age, these follicles begin to die off, and there is less melanin in the hair.As the follicles die and melanin decreases, the color of the hair fades to silver, gray, or white. This process happens with hair all over the body, including pubic hair. In some cases, hair may prematurely age and gray.
Sometimes it is also influenced by genetic factors. Some people start to have white hair in their 30s or 40s. But others have it as early as their teens or 20s.
Not everyone will lose their pubic hair. If you keep your pubic and body hair after the menopause, it will likely turn gray, just like the hair on your head. And you may also notice more hair growing in other areas, such as the chin and face.
Pubic hair may also turn grey as a result of premature aging, and this can be part of the process caused by a variety of occurrences that happen to us in our lifetime. Some of these processes are set off by excessive cigarette smoking which is one of the common factors that will help cause the body to age prematurely.
Trichomycosis axillaris (trichobacteriosis) is a superficial infection of the axillary and less commonly pubic hairs that results in adherent white or yellow concretions distributed irregularly along the hair shafts.
The safest way to dye gray pubic hair is by visiting a hair salon that offers this type of service. Check with your salon or other salons near you to find a licensed and experienced professional who can safely color your pubic hair.
In most cases, the color of your pubic hair is closest to the natural color of your eyebrows. Throughout life, the melanin in your body decreases.This makes hair lighter and eventually grows gray, both on the head and in the pubic area.
Scientists do not yet know the cause of alopecia. However, some suggest that it may be due to the immune system mistakenly attacking the hair follicles. Hormones are also likely to play a role since FFA mainly affects people over the age of 50 who are in the postmenopausal stage of their lives.
Marie Antoinette syndrome designates the condition in which scalp hair suddenly turns white. The name alludes to the unhappy Queen Marie Antoinette of France (1755-1793), whose hair allegedly turned white the night before her last walk to the guillotine during the French Revolution. She was 38 years old when she died.
It's also okay to decide not to shave your pubic hair at all! It's quite normal to let it grow out, though you must wash and dry it properly. Otherwise, you can cause itchiness and rashes from dried-out skin or clogged pores.
A condition called Addison's disease affects the adrenal glands, causing a host of symptoms, including hair loss in the armpit and pubic areas (Munir, 2022). Low testosterone levels (hypogonadism) can also slow hair growth in the armpits and pubic region. Low T affects about four in ten men age 45 and older.
Key Takeaways. Baking soda can lighten gray hair as well as prevent white hair discoloration and remove impurities but should be used cautiously due to the potential for dryness and fragility in gray hair.
If you sense a little body odor, it's because your pubic hair is doing its job of trapping sweat, oil, and bacteria. To care for your pubic area, all you need to do is regularly rinse with water. Long story short, there is nothing dirty or unclean about pubic hair. There is no medical reason to remove it.
Generally, your ponytail strands will gray first, and then the hair downstairs will start to turn, says Wendy Askew, M.D., an ob-gyn with the Institute for Women's Health in San Antonio.
The disease is characterised by yellow, black or red granular nodules or concretions that stick to the hair shaft. It can also affect pubic hair (when it is called trichomycosis pubis), scrotal hair, and intergluteal hair.
Body and facial hair also turn gray, but most often, this happens later than scalp hair. Hair in the armpit, chest, and pubic area may gray less or not at all. Graying is largely determined by your genes. Gray hair tends to occur earlier in white people and later in Asians.
As we age, pigment cells inside each hair follicle stop producing the chemical melanin. This pigment gives our hair its color and as melanin production slows, your pubic hair turns gray or white.
Body and facial hair also turn gray, but most often, this happens later than scalp hair. Hair in the armpit, chest, and pubic area may gray less or not at all. Graying is largely determined by your genes. Gray hair tends to occur earlier in white people and later in Asians.
As you age, your pubic hair, just like the hair on your head, will naturally start to thin and turn grey. Part of the aging process includes hair loss and the slowing of the rate of hair growth. Typically, hair in the armpits, chest, and pubic region will start to thin and turn grey later than scalp hair.
Introduction: My name is Arielle Torp, I am a comfortable, kind, zealous, lovely, jolly, colorful, adventurous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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