Hair greying can occur for a wealth of reasons, and identifying the root cause could point individuals to the right treatments.
Fortunately, where hair deficiencies are proven to be the cause of whitening hair, supplementation may help.
One woman recently took to her social media account saying supplements containing folate and copper helped reverse her white locks at 46.
The hair care enthusiast, who goes by @brookethestylust on TikTok, believes taking a multivitamin daily reversed several hair concerns she had.
“If you ever wondered if you could reverse grey hair, I am here to tell you you can," she declared in the clip.
"I am not saying everyone but I had major hair loss two years ago and it started coming in grey.
Supplementation could help reverse greying
GETTY / TIKTOK
“I thought, well [I'm] 46 years old, it happens. But after adding the nighttime mineral to multi-vitamin (copper and folate), I reversed my grey."
While there is limited evidence that supplements reverse hair greying, research shows they can support overall health.
By tackling underlying deficiencies, there is a chance supplements could, in fact, return white hairs to their original colour.
Dermatologist at XYON Health, False Creek Dermatology Dr Christina Han confirmed to GB News that nutritional deficiencies do trigger premature greying.
She said: “Premature greying can sometimes be linked to a deficiency in certain vitamins and minerals, particularly B vitamins, such as B12, as well as copper and iron."
The expert also emphasised that while genetics plays a critical role in hair colour, addressing nutritional gaps can slow the progression of greying in some individuals.
Like greying, thinning of the hairline could also indicate nutritional deficiencies, according to the expert.
“Deficiencies in iron, zinc, and certain B vitamins are closely linked to hair thinning. Iron deficiency, in particular, can disrupt the production of hemoglobin, which is crucial for delivering oxygen to hair follicles, thereby leading to hair thinning,” said Dr Han.
The expert continued: “Correcting deficiencies, particularly those related to iron and B vitamins, can lead to noticeable improvements in hair health.
However, she also cautioned: “The effectiveness of treating these symptoms by addressing deficiencies depends on the severity of the deficiency and how early it is detected.”
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The efficacy of reversing gray hair with supplements depends on the severity
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What's more, it is important to work with a doctor to determine whether a nutritional deficiency is present.
A simple blood test will reveal levels of different vitamins and minerals, indicating whether dietary amendments are necessary.
What's more, tackling any nutritional deficiencies could prevent other signs of premature ageing beyond hair concerns.
Dr Han warns they "can contribute to other signs of premature ageing, including skin changes like dryness, wrinkles and a lack of elasticity".
Fortunately, adhering to a diet rich in all the right nutrients can help circumvent these issues.