Premature graying of hair: Risk factors, co-morbid conditions, pharmacotherapy and reversal - A systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review of databases through January 2019 examined risk factors and treatments for premature greying of hair. Factors associated with greying included smoking, deficiencies of vitamin B12, folic acid and biotin, low serum calcium and ferritin, family history, obesity, high blood pressure, lack of exercise, dyslipidaemia, thyroid disorders, hyperuricaemia and altered liver function, and premature greying was flagged as a marker of coronary artery disease, especially in smokers. Among drug treatments only a low-grade recommendation (2A) could be given to calcium pantothenate, PABA and their combination; Anu-tailam was the only herbal agent studied clinically. Treating accompanying conditions led to reversal of greying in many cases.