You can take a supplement that contains these vitamins or you can supercharge your diet with foods high in B12 and B6. Eating beetroot, sprouts, eggs, fish, cheese, soy and starchy vegetables are healthy ways you can increase melanin in your hair.
Antioxidants work in protecting your body cells and defending them against the effects of free radicals. It also increases the melanin production in your hair. Dark chocolate, beans, leafy green vegetables, broccoli, carrot, and pumpkin can add antioxidants to your diet.
So, if your parents experienced greying early in their lives, you might too. However, it is not possible to restore your hair's colour, unlike what most claims on the internet might tell you. Your hair follicles cannot produce melanin on their own.
The primary stimulus for melanogenesis and subsequent melanosome production is UV radiation, which upregulates melanocyte production of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and its downstream products, alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
Natural Ways To Increase Melanin
Antioxidants may help protect melanocytes by fighting oxidative stress such as from UV rays, boosting pigmentation and bringing back your skin's color. Examples of extracts and antioxidants used to treat vitiligo include: Vitamins A, D, and E. Coenzyme Q10.
Various diet shifts can result in the production of melanin, by following the diet mentioned above. However, you can use some products to control hair greying and dryness. Look for hair oil enriched with Bhringraj, Triphala, and Vibhitaka, which are best known for preventing premature hair greying and dryness.
Ingredients such as soy, niacinamide (vitamin B3), and various botanical extracts have shown promise in reducing melanin production with fewer side effects compared to synthetic compounds. These natural alternatives are gaining popularity among consumers who prefer more holistic approaches to skincare.
Autoimmune conditions
If you have non-segmental vitiligo, your immune system destroys the melanocyte skin cells that make melanin. Vitiligo is also associated with other autoimmune conditions, such as hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland), but not everyone with vitiligo will develop these conditions.
It has long been thought that reversal of gray hair on a large scale is rare. However, a recent study reported that individual gray hair darkening is a common phenomenon, suggesting the possibility of large-scale reversal of gray hair.
Henna and Indigo: Henna alone gives a reddish-brown color, but combining it with indigo can give a black color. First, apply henna, then apply indigo for a black tone. Black Tea Rinse: Regular rinses with strong black tea can darken hair over time. It's a gentle method and can also provide some shine.
Until recently, the answer to this has been no. It was thought that once a hair follicle stopped making melanin, it wasn't possible for it to regain its color on its own. But a recent study showed that it may be possible to reverse gray hair — even if just temporarily.
When and how thoroughly your hair turns gray is influenced mostly by the genes you inherit from your parents. Though stress may play a role in the process, it would be more helpful to look to past generations rather than your current stress levels to help you predict when or if you'll go gray.
Caffeic acid, a compound present in coffee, was shown to decrease melanin production in B16F10 cells [40] and also diminish UVB-induced hyperpigmentation and dermatitis in a mouse model after oral administration [41].
Currently, several vitamins and supplements are being investigated for their ability to boost melanin production. However, the best way to support melanin production and good skin health is to eat a healthy diet full of vegetables, fruit, and whole grains.
Brightens complexion: Regular consumption of lemon water can impart a natural glow to your skin. Vitamin C promotes skin brightening by reducing the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
If the cause of greying is genetic, it is not possible to reverse the process, no matter what some marketers on the internet claim. In case of nutritional deficiencies and underlying medical conditions, you can gradually slow down or even reverse the process.
That said, certain conditions may temporarily restore pigmentation. For example, if greying is caused by a vitamin deficiency, stress, or an underlying medical condition, addressing these issues may slow or even partially reverse greying. However, the complete reversal of naturally aged hair remains a challenge.
Darkening the hair with castor oil
Just as the chamomile brew can brighten, castor oil, amla oil or walnut oil can darken the hair. Sometimes olive oil is also used, but it works better in a duet with dyeing herbs.