In general, graying is definitely hereditary, he said.
Unfortunately, there is currently no way to stop gray hair growth, she said.
Some are marketed as able to re-pigment gray hair.
Photo Illustration by Lecia Landis for Verywell Health; Getty Images
What Causes Gray Hair?
Gray hair is sometimes the result of chemical processes that are activated by aging, Green said.
As we age, an enzyme in our bodies calledcatalasebecomes less efficient, she explained.
This enzyme helps control hydrogen peroxide levels in the body.
But this natural side effect of aging isnt the only thing that can cause gray hair.
Just as people dont age at the same rate, they dont develop gray hair at the same age.
What Ingredients Make Up Anti-Gray Supplements?
The makers of some anti-gray supplements say their products can re-pigment hair.
Selenium and vitamin B5, bothantioxidants, help prevent oxidative stress, which causes gray hair growth.
But they, too, have not been linked to stopping or preventing gray hair growth.
Could [these] formulations reduce metabolic stressors in the body?
But I dont think theres evidence theyre specifically effective in [preventing] hair graying.
Until that research is available, the supplements may not be worth exploring, he said.
As a patient advocate, Im always worried patients are wasting money on certain things, he said.
I cant argue it isnt effective, but we just dont know.
Are There Other Ways to Prevent Gray Hair?
Therefore, taking a supplement that contains essential B vitamins may help, she added.
Though research on gray hair is evolving, the field is still relatively new, Zippin said.
What This Means For You
There are various anti-gray hair supplements on the market.
Yale K, Juhasz M, Atanaskova Mesinkovska N.Medication-induced repigmentation of gray hair: a systematic review.Skin Appendage Disord.
2018;10(5):198-203. doi:10.4103/ijt.ijt_47_18
