Grey hair is often seen as a visible sign of ageing. You might remember the moment you first noticed a grey strand in the mirror, or when someone pointed it out. Ageing is a natural part of life, and with it come changes to our appearance, like a change in hair colour.

While grey hair is commonly linked to getting older, it's not only caused by age. Genetics, stress, nutrition and lifestyle can also play a role, sometimes even in your twenties or before the age of 30. Going grey early is more common than you might think, and it can affect your confidence.

If you’re struggling to accept grey hair and would prefer to delay the process, the first step is understanding why and how hair turns grey. While you can't fully reverse it, there are ways to slow it down.

In this article, we explain the causes of grey hair and what you can do about it.

Take action to manage greying

How does hair turn grey?

Your hair gets its colour from melanin, a natural pigment produced by special cells in the hair root called melanocytes. As you age, these cells become less active and gradually decrease in number. This reduces melanin production, leading to a loss of colour. That is why your hair turns grey.

Another factor is the build-up of hydrogen peroxide in the hair. Normally, the enzyme catalase breaks this down. But with age, the amount of catalase in the body decreases, causing hydrogen peroxide to build up. This blocks melanin production even more, which can speed up greying.

Grey hair has less pigment, so it looks lighter. It can also feel coarser or be harder to style. The timing and speed of greying differ from person to person, depending on genetics and lifestyle.

What causes grey hair?

Natural greying: the role of genetics

We live in a time when many people want control over their appearance. If we’re not happy with something, we often try to change it. But some things are simply down to genetics, like the natural greying of hair. Your genes play a major role in when and how much your hair turns grey. If your parents or grandparents went grey early, there’s a good chance you will too.

Grey hair at an early age

Going grey early can be linked to genetics, vitamin deficiencies and autoimmune conditions.

Deficiencies in vitamin B12, folic acid or biotin can lead to early greying. These nutrients are essential for producing melanin, the pigment that gives hair its colour. A lack of them can cause reduced pigmentation and greyer hair.

Autoimmune diseases such as vitiligo, alopecia areata and thyroid disorders are also associated with early greying.

Vitiligo

With vitiligo, the immune system attacks melanocytes (the pigment-producing cells), leading to loss of colour in skin and hair.

Alopecia Areata

This condition causes sudden hair loss in patches due to the immune system attacking hair follicles. When the hair grows back, it’s sometimes grey or white. In rare cases, only pigmented hairs fall out, making it seem like you’ve suddenly turned grey.

Thyroid disorders

Thyroid conditions can affect hair colour. An underactive or overactive thyroid disrupts hormone balance, which can reduce pigment production. Vitamin deficiencies, common in thyroid problems, also play a role, especially low levels of B12. A healthy thyroid supports natural hair colour.

Ethnic background and greying

On average, people start getting grey hair between 35 and 45. This can vary depending on your background and lifestyle. For example:

• White people tend to go grey in their mid-30s
• Asians in their late 30s
• People of African descent in their mid-40s [1]

Does lifestyle affect grey hair?

Want to understand how your lifestyle influences greying? Several factors can speed up the process, such as:

• long-term stress
• smoking
• poor diet
• nutrient deficiencies

Stress is often mentioned as a trigger for early greying. Smoking has also been linked to premature grey hair, especially around the age of 30. The quality of your diet, especially your intake of key vitamins and minerals, can also play a role.

Does stress cause grey hair?

According to research by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), stress can damage melanocyte stem cells, the cells that give your hair its colour. When these cells are damaged or lost, your hair loses pigment and turns grey or white over time. [2]

Stress causes your body to release a chemical called noradrenaline. This chemical affects the cells responsible for hair colour. Under stress, these cells become exhausted too quickly and disappear. Without them, your hair follicles can’t produce colour anymore, resulting in permanent greying.

Many people think the stress hormone cortisol is to blame, but studies show noradrenaline plays the bigger role. Even when cortisol is blocked, stress can still cause greying.

How to stop grey hair: what can you do?

Greying is natural, but with the right care and lifestyle, you can slow down the process and enjoy your natural colour for longer.

Natural remedies for grey hair
Some natural remedies are known to support pigment production and delay greying. You can add these to your lifestyle:

• Vitamins and mineral supplements: make sure your diet includes enough vitamin B12, iron and copper. These are important nutrients for healthy hair.
  
• Healthy diet: eat a balanced diet rich in fruit, vegetables, lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids to support overall hair health.
  
  
• Stress reduction: practice stress-lowering techniques like meditation, yoga or mindfulness to protect pigment cells.
  
  
• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol: these habits are linked to premature greying. Quitting smoking and drinking less alcohol can help slow down the process.

Ingredients that help fight grey hair

Looking for specific products or supplements to slow down greying? Choose ones that contain active ingredients designed to boost melanin production and protect hair pigment. The Neofollics Anti Grey line includes powerful compounds like:

Greyverse™

This biomimetic peptide works on the root cause of greying by stimulating the MC1-R receptor and promoting melanin production (melanogenesis). This helps reverse grey hair and supports natural hair repigmentation.

Darkenyl™

A patented combination of taxifolin glucoside and N-acetyl tyrosine. It protects hair follicles against oxidative stress, activates stem cells, and stimulates melanin production. Suitable for all genders, hair types and colours.

Cucumis Melo Extract

Derived from melon, this extract is rich in polyphenols. These powerful antioxidants protect hair follicles and help maintain your natural hair colour.

Safflower Extract (Carthamus tinctorius)

High in fatty acids like oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient soothes the scalp, supports hair growth and strengthens the hair shaft.

Neofollics Anti Grey product line: stimulate melanin & catalase

Want to treat grey hair effectively? The Neofollics Anti Grey line is specially developed to slow down greying and help restore your natural colour. Its formula combines powerful ingredients with ease of use.

Two elements play a key role in this process:

• Melanin: the pigment responsible for hair colour
• Catalase: an enzyme that breaks down hydrogen peroxide (which can damage pigment cells)

As we age, production of both decreases. Which leads to grey hair. While a healthy lifestyle can support pigment maintenance, it’s not always enough. Neofollics Anti Grey products actively support this process by promoting the body’s natural production of melanin and catalase.

The product line includes:

Neofollics Anti Grey Hair Serum

• Leave-in formula, no rinsing required
• Boosts melanin production
• Reduces follicle stress and restores hair from within
• Visible results within 90 days*

Neofollics Anti Grey Tablets

• Daily support from within
• Contains melanin and catalase

For best results, use both the serum and tablets in your daily routine. This gives your hair support from the inside and outside.

*Based on user experiences with consistent use.

Curious if it works for you? Discover Neofollics Anti Grey product line and restore your natural colour today.

New: Neofollics Anti Grey Shampoo

The newest addition to the Anti Grey product line is the Neofollics Anti Grey Shampoo. It’s a simple yet effective way to reduce grey hair without using dyes. This innovative formula is especially suited for people with dark hair who want to enhance their natural tone.
Why this shampoo is worth trying:

• Visible improvement in colour after 7 to 10 washes
• Multifunctional formula: nourishes scalp, strengthens hair, reduces dandruff
• No harsh colouring: just a subtle, natural reduction of grey
• Ideal for daily use and perfect to combine with the Serum and Tablets

Try the new Anti Grey Shampoo and experience colour care and hair health in one product.

Conclusion: can you reverse grey hair naturally?

Grey hair is a visible sign of ageing for many people. But age is not the only factor. Genetics, lifestyle and even your health play a big role. Vitamin deficiencies, stress and smoking can all speed up the greying process. Autoimmune conditions like vitiligo or alopecia areata can also cause pigment loss, sometimes even at a young age.

While you can't fully prevent grey hair, there are ways to slow it down. The foundation is a healthy lifestyle: eat a balanced diet, get enough vitamins, avoid harmful habits and manage stress. On top of that, you can choose hair care products that actively help maintain your natural hair colour.

With the right approach, you can take control of the greying process, and feel confident in your hair again.

Sources

1. WebMD. (n.d.). Premature graying: Why does hair turn gray early? WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/abcs-premature-graying

2. National Institutes of Health. (2020, February 4). How stress causes gray hair. NIH Research Matters. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-stress-causes-gray-hair