there are genetic links for grey hair, beard thickness and unibrows

Have u ever thought why ur hair is grey? Researchers have long known that a slowdown in the production of melanin, the pigment that colours hair, is to blame. But they don't know precisely what starts the slowdown, or how the mechanism varies between populations. Now, in a study that looked at the genomes of more than 6000 people from Latin America, researchers have identified 18 genes that appear to influence hair traits, including the first ever to be associated with greying.

The gene identified, IRF4, is known to play a role in hair colour but this is the first time it has been associated with the greying of hair.

This gene is involved in regulating production and storage of melanin, the pigment that determines hair, skin and eye colour, according to the study.

Hair greying is caused by an absence of melanin in hair so researchers want to find out IRF4's role in this process.Understanding how IRF4 influences hair greying could help the development of new cosmetic applications that change the appearance of hair as it grows in the follicle by slowing or blocking the greying of hair.