Can You Reverse Gray Hair? Potential Causes and Natural Remedies to Try

If you’re dealing with a few gray hairs (or a whole head of them), that’s okay! Going gray is natural, and it’s a normal part of aging. While you may not be able to reverse gray hair entirely, there are some ways you may be able to prevent it. We’ve answered some of your common questions so you can learn more about going gray.

Question 1 of 5:

Can graying hair be reversed?

  1. Unless you want to dye your hair, what’s already gray is going to stay gray. However, there are a few things you can do to slow down the process. [1] Keep in mind, though, that the biggest factor that influences gray hair is genetics, so different people will have different levels of success. [2]
    • Most people start to get gray hair in their 30s or 40s, with a few people even going gray in their 20s or teens.
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Question 2 of 5:

What vitamins help with gray hair?

  1. Research shows that many adults with gray hair also have a vitamin B12 deficiency. [3] Aim to get 2.4 mcg of vitamin B12 per day in supplements or in shots. [4]
    • If you think you have a deficiency, talk to your doctor about your options.
  2. Copper is an essential nutrient in your body, and it helps produce melanin, or the pigment that colors your hair. [5] Try to eat peanuts, almonds, lentils, beef liver, crabmeat, and white mushrooms to ensure you’re getting enough copper in your daily diet. [6]
    • Experts recommend getting around 900 mcg of copper every day.
  3. Although some studies suggest that those nutrients can play a role in graying hair, they aren’t all conclusive. [7] However, it can’t hurt to double check that you’re getting enough zinc and iron in your diet. Aim for 8 to 11 mg of zinc every day. [8] Try to get 8.7 mg of iron per day if you’re a man, and 14.8 mg of iron per day if you’re a woman. [9]
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Question 3 of 5:

Can you naturally reverse gray hair?

  1. Some studies show that the acids in lotus flower oil helped hair produce more melanin, which could be helpful in gray hair prevention. While these studies haven’t been reproduced, it won’t hurt you to add lotus flower oil into your hair care routine. You can find lotus flower oil at most drug stores. [10]
Question 4 of 5:

Does smoking cause gray hair?

  1. In 2013, scientists discovered that people who smoked cigarettes went gray around 3 years before their non-smoking counterparts. While these results haven’t been reproduced in other studies, if you do smoke, it won’t hurt to quit. [12]
    • Smoking may cause chemical changes to your body that damage the melanin-producing cells in your hair.
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Question 5 of 5:

Can stress cause gray hair?

  1. Some studies show that your stress levels may damage the chemicals that produce melanin in your hair. Gray hair occur due to the loss of melanin. [13] However, more research is needed, so these studies aren’t conclusive. [14]
    • If you’re feeling stressed and you’d like to lower your stress levels, try exercising daily, practicing meditation, and getting at least 8 hours of sleep every night.
    • Some studies suggest that oxidative stress, or breathing in toxins like pollutants and heavy metals over a long period of time, may also contribute to gray hair. [15]

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Why do we get gray hair?
    Matt King
    Director of Education, Fox and Jane Salon Group
    Matt King is the Director of Education at Fox and Jane Salon Group. With over 15 years of experience and expertise in cutting and coloring hair, he specializes in crafting trend-forward and technically savvy training and development materials for hairstylists. Matt received his cosmetology education from The Blaine Beauty School.
    Matt King
    Director of Education, Fox and Jane Salon Group
    Expert Answer
    Gray hair occurs due to the loss of melanin. People get gray hair because they are genetically inclined to have it.
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  • Question
    How can I avoid getting gray hair?
    Matt King
    Director of Education, Fox and Jane Salon Group
    Matt King is the Director of Education at Fox and Jane Salon Group. With over 15 years of experience and expertise in cutting and coloring hair, he specializes in crafting trend-forward and technically savvy training and development materials for hairstylists. Matt received his cosmetology education from The Blaine Beauty School.
    Matt King
    Director of Education, Fox and Jane Salon Group
    Expert Answer
    Hair becomes gray with age. If you want to avoid getting gray hair, you can slow down the aging process by taking vitamins and other things. Some people use fish oil or biotin to prevent gray hair.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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      Tips

      • There are many natural remedies suggested for gray hair, like using coconut oil or wheatgrass juice every night. While these won’t hurt your hair, they aren’t backed by science, so they may not do much.
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      • Going gray isn’t a bad thing! If you really don’t like your gray hair, visit a salon to talk about color corrections.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-hair-turns-gray/
      2. ↑ Matt King. Director of Education, Fox and Jane Salon Group. Expert Interview
      3. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/hair-turn-gray-2017091812226
      4. ↑ https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-Consumer/
      5. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21979243/
      6. ↑ https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/minerals/copper
      7. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21979243/
      8. ↑ https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/zinc/
      9. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/iron/
      1. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19322028/
      2. ↑ Matt King. Director of Education, Fox and Jane Salon Group. Expert Interview
      3. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-hair-turns-gray/
      4. ↑ Matt King. Director of Education, Fox and Jane Salon Group. Expert Interview
      5. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-hair-turns-gray/
      6. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2929555/

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Vanya

        Nov 14, 2021

        "It was interesting to see all of things that may slow down graying."

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