Stress and premature graying: Bring back your auburn hair color!

Premature graying can be frustrating, especially when it happens earlier than expected and you great auburn hair color is just loosing it's spark. While genetics are the biggest factor in determining when hair turns gray, stress has also been linked to premature graying. But can reducing stress actually reverse gray hair? Let’s explore the science behind stress, hair pigmentation, and whether de-stressing can bring back your natural colour.

How hair gets its colour?

Hair gets its colour from melanin, a pigment produced by specialized cells called melanocytes in the hair follicles. There are two main types of melanin:

• Eumelanin (responsible for black and brown hair)

• Pheomelanin (responsible for red and yellow tones)

As we age, melanocytes gradually stop producing melanin, causing hair to lose its pigment and turn gray or white.

Can stress really make your hair go gray?

Yes, stress can contribute to premature graying. Recent research has provided strong evidence linking chronic stress to the loss of hair pigment:

1. The Harvard and NIH study (2020)

• A groundbreaking study published in Nature by Harvard and NIH researchers found that stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to the release of norepinephrine.

• This norepinephrine overstimulates melanocyte stem cells, causing them to be depleted prematurely.

• Once these pigment-producing cells are gone, the hair remains permanently gray.

Key takeaway: Stress doesn’t just speed up graying—it can deplete the very cells responsible for hair color, making the process irreversible in many cases.

2. The Columbia University study (2021)

• A study published in eLife by researchers at Columbia University provided the first evidence that some gray hairs can regain color if stress is reduced.

• The researchers analyzed individual hair strands and found that some hairs that had turned gray reverted back to their original color after a period of lower stress.

• This suggests that stress-induced gray hair may be reversible if melanocytes are still present in the follicle.

Key takeaway: If stress was the main cause of premature graying, reducing stress might allow hair to regain pigment—but only if the melanocyte stem cells haven’t been fully depleted.

3pack Mimare No-Yellow set (3x200ml)

Buy Now

Can de-stressing reverse gray hair?

In some cases, yes! The Columbia University study suggests that reduced stress can restore some hair color, but only under certain conditions:

• The graying must have been caused by stress, not aging or genetics.

• The melanocytes in the hair follicle must still be active.

• The reversal is more likely in recently grayed hairs rather than long-term gray hairs.

However, if graying is due to genetics or aging, de-stressing will not bring back pigment because the melanocyte stem cells have already been permanently lost.

How to reduce stress and protect your hair?

Even if de-stressing doesn’t completely reverse gray hair, it can help slow further graying and improve overall hair health. Here are some science-backed ways to reduce stress:

1. Meditation and mindfulness

• Studies show that mindfulness meditation lowers cortisol levels, which may help prevent stress-related graying.

• A 2013 study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology found that mindfulness reduces oxidative stress, a key contributor to melanocyte damage.

2. Get enough sleep

• Lack of sleep increases oxidative stress in the body, which can damage melanocytes.

• A 2019 study in Nature Communications found that sleep deprivation accelerates cellular aging, which could contribute to premature graying.

3. Maintain a balanced diet

Certain vitamin deficiencies can contribute to early graying:

• Vitamin B12: A deficiency has been linked to premature graying (study in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology).

• Vitamin D and Copper: Low levels may impact melanin production.

• Antioxidants (Vitamin C, E, Selenium): Help fight oxidative stress that damages hair follicles.

4. Exercise regularly

• A 2020 study in The Journal of Sports Medicine found that exercise reduces stress hormones and improves blood circulation, which may help maintain hair pigmentation.

5. Avoid smoking

• A 2013 study in Indian Dermatology Online Journal found a strong link between smoking and premature graying, likely due to increased oxidative stress.

6. Try scalp massages and hair treatments

• Some research suggests that topical antioxidants like catalase (found in some hair products) may help neutralize oxidative stress and protect hair pigment.

Final verdict: Can you reverse gray hair by de-stressing?

• If stress caused your gray hair → Reducing stress might restore some natural color, but only if the melanocytes in your hair follicles are still active.

• If genetics or aging caused your gray hair → De-stressing won’t reverse graying, but it can slow further pigment loss and improve overall hair health.

If you’re experiencing premature graying, consider consulting a dermatologist to explore possible causes and treatment options.

3pack Mimare Frequent Use set (3x200ml)

Buy Now