Do you really know?

Why does hair turn grey?

Jun 30, 2025
Discover the intriguing reasons behind why hair turns grey, from genetics to stress and aging. A recent study unveils the role of melanocyte stem cells and how stress can impact hair color. The researchers even hint at possible ways to reverse greying, at least in mice! Learn about the implications for human hair and pick up some tips for keeping your locks vibrant. It's a quick exploration of a topic we all ponder, wrapped up in under three minutes!
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Why Hair Turns Grey

  • Hair turns grey because melanocyte stem cells (MSCs) in follicles lose the ability to produce melanin as they get stuck in the hair follicle bulge.
  • This prevents hair from regaining its natural color during growth cycles, revealing the greying process.
INSIGHT

Stopping Hair Greying Potential

  • Scientists discovered a potential pathway to reverse or prevent human hair greying by mobilizing MSCs in hair follicles.
  • If those cells are encouraged to move, theoretically, grey hair could be stopped or reversed.
ADVICE

Manage and Delay Grey Hair

  • If you already have grey hair, color it or accept and embrace it.
  • Maintain a healthy balanced diet rich in vitamin B12, copper, iron, and antioxidants to support melanin production.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app