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

Co-authored by Matt King and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: April 5, 2022 References

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?

It can’t be reversed, but it can be slowed. 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]
X
Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Keep in mind, though, that the biggest factor that influences gray hair is genetics, so different people will have different levels of success.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Matt King
Director of Education, Fox and Jane Salon Group
Expert Interview. 31 August 2021.}
- Most people start to get gray hair in their 30s or 40s, with a few people even going gray in their 20s or teens.

Question 2 of 5:

What vitamins help with gray hair?

1
Vitamin B12 may help. Research shows that many adults with gray hair also have a vitamin B12 deficiency.^{[3]
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Trustworthy Source
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public
Go to source} Aim to get 2.4 mcg of vitamin B12 per day in supplements or in shots.^{[4]
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Research source}
- If you think you have a deficiency, talk to your doctor about your options.
2
Copper might play a role. Copper is an essential nutrient in your body, and it helps produce melanin, or the pigment that colors your hair.^{[5]
X
Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} Try to eat peanuts, almonds, lentils, beef liver, crabmeat, and white mushrooms to ensure you’re getting enough copper in your daily diet.^{[6]
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Trustworthy Source
Oregon State University Linus Pauling Institute
Research center dedicated to promoting optimal health through cutting-edge nutrition research and public outreach
Go to source}
- Experts recommend getting around 900 mcg of copper every day.
3
More research is needed about zinc and iron. Although some studies suggest that those nutrients can play a role in graying hair, they aren’t all conclusive.^{[7]
X
Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} 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]
X
Research source} 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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Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}

Question 3 of 5:

Can you naturally reverse gray hair?

No, but you may be able to prevent it with lotus flower oil. 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]
X
Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source}
- Try putting lotus flower oil on your hair once a day. Remember that it won’t help reverse your gray hair, but it may slow down the graying of hairs that still have color.
- Some people prefer to use fish oil or biotin.^{[11]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Matt King
  Director of Education, Fox and Jane Salon Group
  Expert Interview. 31 August 2021.}

Question 4 of 5:

Does smoking cause gray hair?

One study says that it does. 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]
X
Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Smoking may cause chemical changes to your body that damage the melanin-producing cells in your hair.

Question 5 of 5:

Can stress cause gray hair?

Constant, long-term stress may contribute to gray hair. 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]
X
Expert Source

Matt King
Director of Education, Fox and Jane Salon Group
Expert Interview. 31 August 2021.} However, more research is needed, so these studies aren’t conclusive.^{[14]
X
Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- 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]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}

Expert Q&A

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.
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.