Can nutritional supplements delay the appearance of gray hair?

While incarceration and celebrities have helped reduce the appearance of white hair, it remains a problem that many fear. Recently, actress Sofia Vergara stated that she never thought she would one day become “the woman who has the courage to have completely white hair.” Because if some personalities like Sarah Jessica Parker, Salma Hayek or even Queen Letizia of Spain have decided to take it on, not everyone has the same desire.

From the age of 35

Especially since we are not all equal when it comes to this phenomenon. Some will see their first gray hairs in their 20s, while others won’t have any signs until their fifties. According to dermatologist George Abirached, a member of the National Society of Dermatologists and Venereologists, several factors come into play, “even if warts are a natural process that usually starts around age 35.” Among the reasons, he cites age and heredity in particular, since “the age at which the first gray hair appears is largely dictated by genetics.”

Thus, several genes are involved, such as MC1R or IRF4. “Mutations in one or more of these genes can speed up or slow down the graying of hair.” But the dermatologist also reminds that there may be a lack of some vitamins (B12, D, etc.) or nutrients. “If we’re also deficient in selenium, iron or copper, it can affect hair color and cause premature graying. Copper stimulates the activity of tyrosinase, the enzyme that converts tyrosine into melanin (which gives hair its pigment). Selenium and zinc are antioxidants that protect melanin from free radicals.

Stress, enemy of hair

Certain factors such as stress will also accelerate the aging process and discoloration of the hair. “We have a supply of melanin, which is produced by cells called melanocytes. And you should understand that some factors affect the release of this melanin. It has been shown that stress can contribute to accelerated gray hair because it produces free radicals that cause oxidative stress and damage to these cells,” adds Julie Pernet, Ph.D. He is also certified in trichology, the science of the scalp and hair, a specialization that is still little known in France, but very popular in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. With the MakeMyMask brand she founded three years ago, Julie Burnett has focused on an external approach instead of her anti-aging mask. But it does recognize that nutritional supplements can support good hair health.

And by helping the cells themselves to stimulate melanin production, some supplements show promise to counteract this aging phenomenon. If this type of antiaging product already existed on the market, Aroma-Zone intends to stand out with a new innovative active ingredient. This innovation, called Melanin, is based on an extract of black sheep wool (grown in France). “It has been hydrolyzed (cut into small pieces) to get a mixture of amino acids and melanin. This black wool also naturally contains copper, an important mineral for good skin and hair pigmentation,” explains Emily Jolibois, head of natural ingredients and nutrition for the brand. He also notes that there is also a whole host of nutrients that target melanocytes. “The melanin in the supplement will not directly replace it in the skin, but will stimulate the melanocytes to reproduce.”

The brand is based on clinical research* (conducted on people between the ages of 46 and 70, men and women together), but is keen to point out that it works “only if there are melanocytes still active and alive. There will be no effect on a person with completely white hair for ten years. On the other hand, it offers a four-month treatment for people who notice their first gray hairs, even if the brand has noticed visible effects from two months. “The melanocytes there are a little tired so we can stimulate their production. And slow down the phase of appearance of white hair a little.

White hair dyeing, utopia or reality?

Another promise of this app. Repigment those that have already been affected. Julie Burnett, for her part, confirms that new studies have shown this phenomenon of possible reversal. “But only if you haven’t lost your melanin capital. It all depends on what stage you are in if you have a few gray hairs or completely gray. In case we have experienced bleaching due to stress, I think this type of supplement can be interesting. But the doctor of pharmacy remains clear. “It’s like anti-hair loss supplements. years.”

Furthermore, Dr. Abirached asserts: “Food supplements are not medicine and cannot claim any therapeutic effect.” In turn, he recommends focusing more on preventive measures. “To compensate for the lack of melanin and the decrease in sebum synthesis, it is recommended to regularly moisturize your white hair.” The dermatologist also recommends avoiding heating devices such as straighteners, as white hair, which is more fragile, does not tolerate heat well. Finally, it’s also important to protect gray hair from “the sun’s UV rays, which cause oxidative stress.” Tips to keep in mind as summer has just begun.