Can You Reverse Grey Hair Naturally? Here’s What The Science Says
BY JAY SMALL, HAIRSTYLIST AND CO-FOUNDER OF AREYGrey hair is a hot topic in science because it is one of the main visible signs of cell aging. Hair aging and greying are generally considered a one-way street, but can you really reverse grey hair naturally?
The good news is that hair that is 30% grey (or less) has the most potential to regain its color. That’s because the pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) are still active. Proactive haircare that addresses some of the root causes of pigment loss – such as oxidative stress and vitamin deficiencies – can help repigment existing greys and prevent new grey hairs from growing.
Key Takeaways
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Hair that is less than 30% grey still has the potential to produce pigment. Targeted nutrition and protection against oxidative stress can help boost pigment production naturally.
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Vitamin deficiencies can cause grey hair, so proactive nutritional support is key to help slow, reverse, and delay grey hair progression.
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White hair likely cannot be reversed because there may not be any pigment being produced by the cells in your hair roots.
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Can Grey Hair Go Back to Its Original Color?
Yes, grey hair can go back to its original hair color. When it comes to reversing grey hair, there are a lot of proactive actions you can take to slow new grey hair growth and repigment existing greys, including nutritional and antioxidant support with a hair regrowth system for your hair roots.
The first step to reversing grey hair naturally is understanding why your hair goes grey in the first place. Here’s what you need to know:
Why Does Your Hair Go Grey?
Many of my clients are surprised to discover that only a small part of why hair turns grey is caused by your genes. While genetics are a blueprint for greying, lifestyle plays a much bigger rule then we assume. That means that hair greying is accelerated by factors including vitamin deficiencies, the environment, and other oxidative stressors like smoking, as well as aging.1,2
Why Do Some Hairs Go Grey Faster Than Others?
Many studies show your cells don’t all age at the same time. Your hair is no exception. Just like some cells show their age earlier than others, your hair goes grey in stages.3 In a Columbia University study, Martin Picard,4 a mitochondrial psychobiologist, observed, “Maybe the hairs that turn white first are the more vulnerable or least resilient.”
Many of your hairs may be hovering on the threshold of turning grey,5 but there’s a lot you can do to take control of the hair greying process. With a few lifestyle changes, you can make your tresses less vulnerable to going grey:
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Stop smoking: smoking weakens your hair on a cellular level and impacts melanin production.6
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Avoid sun damage: wear a sunhat or use a natural sunscreen for your hair like Live In Mist® to protect your pigment-producing cells from UV rays.
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Stress less: stress hormones affect the proteins and other molecules in your hair shaft, causing color changes.7
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Feed your hair follicles: boost your diet with a hair supplement like Not Today, Grey™ that is rich in vitamins B12, D3, copper, calcium, and iron.8 Without the right amount of these vitamins for grey hair,9 your strands are more likely to turn grey.10
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Healthy, nourished hair is more resilient and less vulnerable to greying. Even better, scientists have found that grey hair caused by stress can return to its original color. According to Ralf Paus, a dermatologist at the University of Miami, “greying is probably much more reversible than had been thought for a long time.”7
Can You Reverse Grey Hair Naturally?
I started to see greys in my 20s, but most people see their first silver strands in their 30s and reach for hair dye to cover them up. According to Paus, the period when greying has just begun is probably when the process is most reversible.7
Our research has also shown that Arey grey hair solutions work best when you start early, ideally when you have only around 30% or less grey (not white) hair. That’s because the right nutritional and antioxidant support is most effective at boosting pigmentation in your hair if you still have active pigment-producing cells (melanocytes).
If your hair is more than 30% grey, you may notice an improvement in the health, volume, and thickness of your hair, but repigmentation will be less obvious. Hair repigmentation is possible if melanocytes (melanin-producing cells) are still present in your hair bulb. If your hair is completely white, your melanocytes are most likely no longer active, and grey hair reversal may no longer be possible.
Matt Kaeberlein, a biogerontologist at the University of Washington and editor of the Columbia University study,3 commented, “What was most remarkable was the fact that they were able to show convincingly that, at the individual hair level, greying is actually reversible.”
My Grey Beard Reversal Story (A Trichologist’s First-Hand Experience)
As a Trichologist (hair and scalp health expert) who started to see my first grey hairs at a young age, I have a very personal interest in reversing grey hair naturally. Have you ever looked in the mirror and seen hairs that are half grey and half your natural color? It’s exciting. I know because that’s what happened to me after 8 months of using Arey’s hair health supplement Not Today, Grey™ in combination with our topical anti-grey hair serum To The Root®.
After we launched Arey with Not Today, Grey™ we wanted to boost the powerful results we were seeing. That’s why we created our topical serum – To The Root®.
Like all our products, To The Root® is cruelty-free, vegan, and free from parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, and gluten. To The Root® is non-greasy, fragrance-free, and lightweight, so it is safe to use on your scalp and your face. It contains a powerful cocktail of clinically effective ingredients (our unique Mela-9® Complex) designed to slow and even reverse grey hair.
The science is strong on this and we agree – the sooner you start addressing your grey hair, the better your results will be. Being proactive about your greys is a gift to your future self. With consistent use of Arey’s The System, you can expect to: Slow and even reverse your grey hair with targeted nutrition and Arey’s Mela-9® Complex. Grow thicker, fuller, healthier hair with vitamins and minerals that promote new hair growth and resilience. Fuel pigment production with Arey’s scalp serum that delivers Mela-9® Complex directly to your hair roots. Your head and beard hair growth cycle takes around 1-3 months, so it can be a while before you see results. We want you to reach your hair goals so we always offer up to 25% off on all subscription orders. We believe that science + consistency = results. Have questions? Reach out to us at hey@arey.com or checkout our FAQ page. Jay Small is a sought-after hair stylist and Trichologist in Los Angeles with over 22 years of experience. His clients consist of high-profile business and creative leaders. He trained as an apprentice to the owner of Paul Mitchell and worked in education and product development for Paul Mitchell Systems. Jay is incredibly passionate about the creative process both in terms of styling hair and developing effective products. How to Reverse Grey Hair Naturally with Arey
REFERENCES:
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