As we get older, the majority of us experience a natural loss of color in our hair. Gray and white hair are often the result of the gradual death of pigment cells in our hair follicles. It’s a remarkable and normal process we all have to embrace. But did you know that the full process results in a deficiency of the pigment melanin, which is responsible for the appearance of gray and white hair? On the other hand, there is some evidence to suggest that some other variables can also impact the formation of melanin.
We frequently believe that stress may also have a part, but up until recently, this hadn’t truly been shown in people; research that was conducted in 2021 finally brought some proof and succeeded in shedding some light for many people.
Is it possible to reverse gray hair?
New research indicates that after individuals experience a significant reduction in stress, their hair color may return. Although the researchers do not claim that graying of the hair that is associated with aging may be reversed, these findings provide us with some insight into the biological mechanisms that occur during the aging process. For the recent research, fourteen individuals who were already showing symptoms of gray or white in their hair participated as volunteers. Their ages ranged from nine to sixty-five. Due to the fact that it required the researchers two and a half years to gather them, it is clear that these findings only apply to some of the population.
Study insights
After analyzing hundreds of proteins found within the hairs, the researchers discovered a connection between white hairs and an increased number of proteins connected with mitochondria (a measure of the amount of energy used and the amount of metabolic stress). The fact that this correlation has been discovered by scientists in the past lends credence to the theory that stress might cause changes in the color of one’s hair.
Understanding the mechanisms that allow old gray hairs to return to their young pigmented states could yield new clues about the malleability of human aging in general and how it is influenced by stress, explained Martin Picard, an associate professor of behavioral medicine at Columbia University.
The subjects’ hairs were evaluated for evidence of pigment loss using a high-resolution scanning technology that was developed specifically for this purpose among the volunteers. The scans revealed extremely minor changes in hue, which demonstrated that when pigment reduction had begun, it did not always continue. This was in addition to the more dramatic graying that became apparent. Impressive!
Additionally, the study reveals that gray and white hairs can really restore their color under more situations. This was accomplished by employing a mathematical model to broaden their findings across a broader number of individuals and ages during the course of the research. The researchers argue that there is likely to be a biological age barrier for hair becoming gray, which tension and other physiological factors can drive hair follicles over sooner. However, in light of the limited sample size, it is clear that this is going to be applicable to some. On the other hand, one may always hope, right?!
