This Lifestyle Tweak May Naturally Reverse Your Gray Hair, No Dye Needed

The constant upkeep of covering gray hair with dye can be a pain. According to a 2021 study, there might be an better option on the horizon that literally reverses the silver pigment and restores our hair to its original hue naturally. 

You may have already heard about research that confirmed stress is a major factor in turning our hair gray. Scientists from Columbia University have taken a further look at how reducing our stress levels might also return our hair to its more colorful glory.

Lead study author Martin Picard, PhD, explains that this promising discovery can open up a whole new world of scientifically-backed anti-aging possibilities. “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,” he said in a press release. “Our data adds to a growing body of evidence demonstrating that human aging is not a linear, fixed biological process but may, at least in part, be halted or even temporarily reversed.”

He and his team came to their conclusion after observing the hair of 14 individuals who also provided a diary of their weekly stress levels. “There was one individual who went on vacation and five hairs on that person’s head reverted back to dark during the vacation, synchronized in time,” Picard says.

Of course, this was an admittedly small study and more research will need to be done on the subject. Picard also didn’t want to jump to any conclusions about someone who’s had gray hair for years suddenly being able to de-stress their way back to their original shade. However, it’s another fascinating look at how reducing our overall stress levels plays a significant role in also reducing signs of aging, both inside and out. 

If nothing else, it’s a perfect excuse to take some relaxing “me time” whenever you spot a few new gray strands sprouting up!