Can white hair regain its natural colour?

The emergence of white hair, or canities, is a phenomenon often linked to a lack of melanin production by melanocytes and a gradual decrease in their number. This process is natural and usually occurs around the age of 35 or later. However, the early onset of white hair can be linked to other internal or external factors. Stress is notably among the main causes of the appearance of white hair. Studies have shown that prolonged exposure to stress can disrupt the functioning of melanocytes, thus leading to a decrease in hair pigmentation.

Beyond stress, deficiencies in vitamins B9, B12, D, selenium, iron or copper can impact hair colour and cause premature greying. The mechanisms involved are diverse and depend on the nutrient in question. For instance, copper promotes the activity of tyrosinase, the enzyme that enables the conversion of tyrosine into melanin. Moreover, the early onset of white hair may also be a genetic phenomenon or due to an autoimmune disease such as vitiligo.

Many people with silver hair would love to naturally regain their original colour. But is this possible? Yes and no. In fact, it depends on the cause of the greyness. If your white hair is due to ageing, and therefore a decrease in melanocyte activity, this is an irreversible phenomenon and your hair will not be able to naturally regain its original colour. Similarly, if the cause is a chronic illness, the greyness cannot be reversed.

However, if it is stress that is causing your hair to turn white, a recent study has shown that it may be possible for it to naturally regain its colour. Indeed, scientists have observed in 14 individuals a depigmentation of their hair fibres due to a period of intense stress followed by repigmentation. This occurred quite rapidly, with a recoloration rate of about 28% per day. One possible mechanism to explain this repigmentation involves the activation of immature melanocytes or melanoblasts, the precursor cells of melanocytes, outside the hair follicle. These cells would migrate into the hair follicle and produce melanin, thus recolouring the hair.

Therefore, it is possible in some cases for hair to regain its colour. A healthy lifestyle notably allows for a better response to stress: regular practice of a sport, a pleasant environment, avoidance of addictive products, regular sleep... Yoga or relaxation can also help to feel more at ease, which limits the risks of early onset of white hair.

Grey hair is natural and doesn't necessarily need to be concealed. However, some people prefer to maintain their original hair colour, which is entirely valid. If your hair has irreversibly lost its colour, it is possible to regain your natural shade using hair dyes. We advise you to visit a hairdresser for this and not to attempt home colouring unless you are confident in what you are doing. Indeed, it is common for hairdressers to have clients who have tried to colour their hair themselves but have achieved less than satisfactory results.

We can also mention certain topical products enriched with specific peptides and proteins that claim to be able to repigment white hair. However, the results obtained by those who have tested them are uneven. Some say they have indeed observed a repigmentation of their white hair, while others have seen no change.

• RAWNSLEY J. & al. Hair biology: Growth and pigmentation. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America (2018).

• PHILPOTT M. Watching hair turn grey. eLife (2021).