Gray Hair Myths and Facts: There was a time when hair color used to indicate people’s age, but now even youth of 20-30 years of age are facing the problem of gray hair. In medical language it is called premature greying. When youth’s hair turns grey, they make every effort to dye it black again. For this, a lot of expensive hair care products are used. However, once hair turns white, it is very difficult to bring back its color. People troubled by this often ask the same question, can white hair be blackened again? Let us know what is the opinion of medical science regarding this.

Hair color comes from melanin pigment, which melanocyte cells produce in the hair follicle. Hair color turning white at the age of 20-30 years can be due to genetics, oxidative stress, pollution or family history. If the cause is genetic, the melanin-producing cells are permanently affected and the original hair color does not return. Genetic premature graying cannot be reversed because it is caused by permanent depletion or damage of melanocytes.

However, improvement is possible in many cases of premature graying. Deficiency of Vitamin B12, folate, copper, iron or thyroid disorder can stop melanin production. Treating them can partially restore color in newly growing hair. Similarly, chronic stress causes graying. Many researches have shown that some hair color can return when stress is reduced. Reversal is possible in graying related to stress or medical conditions, but not in aging or genetics. In some rare cases, reversal has been seen with medications or topical treatments. Home remedies available on the internet can make hair healthy, but do not restore melanin production. No food, vitamin or product permanently reverses genetic graying. These can simply enhance the shine of the hair or slow down further greying.