Skip to main content

Study: Gray hair might be reversible in the future

Researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine may have discovered an unexpected link between stem cells and gray hair. A new study, published in the journal Nature, points out that most humans and mice will develop gray or silver hair as they age. Researchers are now connecting this phenomenon to a common cell shared between both man and mice, called melanocyte stem cells. Understanding this type of cell more could be the link to reverse gray hair permanently — that is, if gray hair isn’t your thing.

The study lead investigator, Qi Sun, PhD, said in a press release for NYU Langone Health, “Our study adds to our basic understanding of how melanocyte stem cells work to color hair.” With researchers aware that melanocyte stem cells, or McSCs, are responsible for hair pigmentation, it could be possible to manipulate these cells in the future to reduce or halt completely the process of hair naturally graying as we age.

Many dyeing his hair with a gray background

The study describes melanocyte stem cells as “a thin-layered system” that fails earlier than most other stem cells in the human body. This happens mainly for two reasons. McSCs have more “plasticity” than other skin cells, making them more rigid. Secondly, they need to be mobile in order to function properly. The combination of both these factors make for a “sticky” situation.

As hair continuously sheds and grows back over time, more McSCs get stuck to each other and are unable to mature. This means the bodily system responsible for hair pigmentation starts to fail, while the system for hair growth could continue to work for many years later.

“It is the loss of chameleon-like function in melanocyte stem cells that may be responsible for graying and loss of hair color,” said study senior investigator Mayumi Ito, PhD.

What does that mean for your hair?

With this knowledge, scientists are already looking into the next steps of restoring some mobility to the dormant stem cells. Making the cells mobile again would allow them to return back to their germ compartment, where they would again be able to produce pigment.

“These findings suggest that melanocyte stem cell motility and reversible differentiation are key to keeping hair healthy and colored,” said Dr. Ito.

It’s still a while away from being available to the general public, but understanding what causes the underlying problem is a major breakthrough in hair and skin science. Of course, not everybody will be rushing to get in line to get their pigmentation back. The silver fox community is one of the backbones of this society, and gray hair will continue to be cool no matter what.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Hunter Reis
Hunter has worked with E! News and Entertainment Tonight, where he won a Daytime Emmy in 2022 for video production.
How fast does facial hair grow? 3 simple tips to speed the process along
Impatient about your beard? Here are tips for growing it
Smiling man with a trim beard.

It's time that you decided to do it; you finally decided to join the ranks of actors, musicians, and style icons who rock the flawless beard look. But, you have hesitancy. There is something slightly holding you back from fully committing. You fear that it will take too long, let alone having to endure some of the awkward stages of growing one out. Luckily, we got your back. 

We have what you need to help guide you on how to grow a beard until you’re sporting luscious facial hair that elicits the envy of all around you. Okay, maybe that’s a bit much. But at the very least, we’ll give you our best tips to encourage healthy beard growth, and upkeep, at a speed seemingly faster than watching paint dry. 

Read more
Biggest men’s skincare concerns? Under-eye bags, wrinkles, and acne, study says
A new study peels back the layers on the most common men's skincare concerns
man using skincare mask

There’s often a hyper-focus on women’s skincare. Blame the lifestyle magazines and marketing pros. However, men also have concerns, and a new study is bringing them to the forefront.

A new report, Augmenting the Beauty Consumer Journey in 2023, from Finnish beauty technology company Revieve is shedding light on the differences between men and women regarding skincare concerns and behaviors.

Read more
Can you actually regrow hair? The experts tell us the truth
We need to talk about thinning hair in men and whether hair growth products actually work
a man having his hair washed at a salon

Perhaps you loved styling your hair every day, or maybe you barely noticed it until you realized it was almost gone.

Thinning hair and hair loss can be emotionally jarring. It’s a sign of the times — you’re getting older. Your body is changing. Is there anything that you can do about it?

Read more