In humans, most gray hair is not related to stress. In fact, hair doesn't actually "turn" gray at all. Once a hair follicle produces hair, the color is set. If a single strand of hair starts out brown (or red or black or blond), it is never going to change its color (unless you color your hair).
King agrees and says that stress hormones may impact the survival of melanocytes in our hair, but there is no clear link between stress and gray hair. Instead, there are just a few small studies that show it may play one of many factors that contribute to this color change.
Furthermore, it appears that once people are under less stress, the hair color can return – and while the researchers don't suggest that age-related grayness can be undone, these findings could teach us something about the biological processes of getting older.
It has been found that some hairs can become colored again when stress is reduced. One study with experiments on mice found that stress caused white hair even if the immune system was suppressed (ruling out auto-immune response) and if the glands producing cortisol were removed.
Gray hair typically starts to appear in a person's mid-30s for Caucasians, late 30s for Asians, and late 40s for African Americans. However, the onset of gray hair can vary significantly based on genetics, lifestyle, and health factors.
Premature graying may be reversed with vitamin B12 supplementation only if vitamin B12 deficiency is the cause. If you are graying due to other factors, such as genetics, zinc deficiency, and medications, your gray hair cannot be reversed.
There's no hard-and-fast rule about when (or if!) you should stop coloring your hair and go gray; it's ultimately a personal choice.
There are certain health conditions and lifestyle factors (like smoking and stress) that could contribute to going gray earlier. As of now, there are no effective treatments that can reverse or prevent gray hair.
Regarding using baking soda for gray hair, experts endorse its potential benefits such as controlling pigmentation loss, lightening the strands, and providing texture. It can be used on coarse grey locks to make them smoother too by eliminating product buildup from oils or soaps.
As we age, melanocytes decrease in number and less melanin is produced. Fewer melanocytes mean a lack of pigment in the hair, resulting in a silvery-gray color. Now the hair itself is not actually white; it is an optical illusion that results when light is refracted off the hair, creating a silver-like look.
We have previously published findings that, after the age of 50, humans are seldom with- out gray hair. At this age, around 50% of men and 30% of women are moderately or totally gray haired.
If you've lost hair as a result of stress or anxiety, there's every chance it will start to grow back once your stress levels are back to normal. Try working on reducing your stress levels as well as improving your general health and wellbeing. Any hair lost due to stress should grow back on its own in a few months.
Stress can cause hair to gray prematurely by affecting the stem cells that are responsible for regenerating hair pigment. The findings give insights for future research into how stress affects stem cells and tissue regeneration.
There is no specific treatment for gray hair that may be caused by stress. Instead, experts say to try to manage those stressors the best you can. It's not a foolproof solution, but it might help. “Some basic science research suggests that addressing stress may also help reverse graying,” says Barbosa.
Simply put, biological age reflects the current condition of the body. Chronic stress can make you age faster by increasing your biological age, which can lead to health problems on top of cosmetic skin concerns. However, some researchers suggest that biological age can fall once again after a stressor subsides.
So, if you notice black hair roots, it's because your melanocytes have been producing melanin normally. Interestingly, melanin production can restart after a period of dormancy, which can lead to a strand of hair that's white or gray on the tip and black closer to the root.
Apple cider vinegar not only lightens hair color to diminish brassy tones but also acts as a natural cleanser, removing product buildup and hard water residues. You can make an apple cider vinegar hair rinse for gray hair at home. Mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with one cup of water.
Purple shampoo has been used for decades by hairdressers, mostly to help tone and neutralize blonde and gray hair, getting rid of brassy or yellow tones for an overall more cool-toned look.
**If your grey hair is due to genetics, then it can not be reversed. However, you can use natural hair masks like henna masks, black tea and coffee masks, bhringraj masks etc., for turning your hair black for sometime. A healthy diet and taking care of your hair is the only way to keep your hair black naturally.
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.
Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that increasing vitamin B12 intake can reverse existing gray hair. Hair that has already lost its pigment is unlikely to regain its natural color.
The average age of onset of hair graying appears to be mid- to late forties; however, this varies with race, with the average age for Caucasians being mid-thirties, that for Asians being late thirties, and that for Africans being mid-forties.
Silver, ashy, blond, and platinum are indeed the most popular hair color choices for women over 60. And with good reason! Instead of coloring to hide your grey hair, you can choose to embrace it. I've seen way too many women with poorly colored dark brown hair color that just doesn't look natural or flattering.
Root sprays and root powders offer a quick and temporary way to cover up gray hairs: simply choose a shade that matches your natural color and apply to the roots. They're both great options for those moments when new gray growth just barely starts to appear or you need a quick fix between dye jobs.
And your hair might feel healthier
While hair dyes and techniques have come a long way since their follicle-frying beginnings, they do still leave some damage. Taking a hiatus from color will help your hair return to its previous state--especially as dyed ends get chopped off.