How To Increase Melanin In Hair: A Research-Based Guide To Restoring Color Naturally
By Dr. Nayana Shetty +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nayana Shetty
Last updated: Apr 22, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Nayana Shetty +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nayana Shetty
Last updated: Apr 22, 2024Table of Contents
The natural pigment melanin plays a crucial role in determining your hair colour, as well as protecting your hair from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays. Over time, the production of melanin in your hair may slow down or stop altogether, leading to grey or white hair. While this is a natural part of the aging process, many people seek ways to restore their hair colour and vitality. This article will explore the role of melanin in hair, discuss potential ways to increase melanin production, and offer guidance on natural methods that may help support melanin production and maintain your hair colour.
Did you know?
Melanin is a pigment. It is made by cells called melanocytes. These are found in the hair follicles. The type and amount of melanin in your hair decide your natural hair colour. It can be black, brown, blond, or red. Genetic factors decide what kind of melanin you have. They also decide your hair colour. The blend of eumelanin (black and brown forms) and pheomelanin (red-yellow pigment) creates a range of hair colours across groups.
Apart from deciding hair colour, melanin shields your hair from the harmful UV rays of the sun. By soaking up the damaging rays. This reduces the risk of sunburn and hair damage. Higher concentrations of eumelanin in hair cause less risk of UV-induced hair damage. More pheomelanin can increase this risk. So, keeping the right level of melanin in your hair helps keep your hair safe and strong.
With age, melanocytes in your hair follicles slow their work. This leads to less melanin production. Over time, your hair can look grey or white. Several things, including genetics, lifestyle, and factors like sun exposure and pollution, can affect how fast your hair loses its colour.
Big changes in melanin production may impact your hair colour. But that’s not all. It may also affect the health of your hair. Melanin protects the genetic content of your hair cells from UV damage. It strengthens the hair shaft by getting rid of free radicals that can cause hair to thin and break. Thus, keeping healthy melanin levels may be important for the strength and fullness of your hair.
Many melanin supplements say they boost melanin production. They claim they restore hair colour as well. But, there is little scientific proof to back this up. Most of these are not approved by the FDA. So, their safety and possible side effects are a concern. Just like any supplement, it’s crucial to discuss to your healthcare provider before starting melanin supplements.
A few studies suggest that certain nutrients, like vitamin B12 and vitamin D, may boost melanin in the hair. However, we need more research to confirm this. Overconsumption of these nutrients through food or supplements can cause unwanted side effects and health problems. So, always follow your healthcare provider’s advice on doses.
Melanin supplements can cause side effects. This is especially true if taken without a healthcare professional’s guidance. These side effects could be allergic reactions, headaches, nausea, and stomach issues. More so, melanin supplements may interact with some medicines. These include blood thinners, diabetes medicines, immune system suppressors, and birth control pills. Avoid melanin supplements if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or if you are taking any of these medicines.
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A healthy diet full of antioxidants, copper, and key vitamins support hair follicles. It is said to boost melanin production. Incorporating them may help you have healthier hair, however, more long-term human research is needed to prove their advantage for reducing greying of hair.
Foods high in antioxidants help protect your hair cells. They guard against damage from free radicals and environmental stressors. Eating antioxidant-rich foods may slow aging, which may help your hair’s melanin levels. Foods high in antioxidants include dark chocolate, blueberries, leafy greens, pecans, and beans.
Copper plays an important role in melanin production. It supports your hair follicles’ health. Foods high in copper, such as crab meat, almonds, lentils, peanuts, and beef liver, may help with melanin production and overall hair health.
Vitamins A and E can help keep your hair healthy. They support melanin production. Foods containing high vitamin A include orange vegetables, leafy green vegetables, fish, and meat. Foods rich in vitamin E include corn oil, spinach, broccoli, tomato, mango, kiwifruit, and soybean oil.
Including vitamin B6 and B12 in your diet may boost melanin production in your hair. Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, helps activate enzymes that metabolize hair proteins like keratin and melanin. By improving how these proteins reach your hair follicles, vitamin B6 may promote hair growth and renewal. Meanwhile, vitamin B12 primarily boosts red blood cell production. These cells, in turn, are said to support better keratin production and enhanced hair growth.
An older study found that people with pernicious anaemia (marked by vitamin B12 deficiency) were more likely to experience greying hair before age 50. This implies that getting enough vitamin B12 may help maintain healthy levels of melanin in your hair and avoid early greying.
Foods high in vitamin B6 include meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, and whole grains. Foods rich in vitamin B12 include meat, fish, cheese, and fortified cereals. By including these nutrient-rich foods in your daily diet, you may support hair health and melanin production.
There’s no clear scientific evidence to back the potency of topical melanin hair products. But, some users have reported positive results. Discuss with a healthcare professional or dermatologist to ensure its safety and benefit.
Researchers at Northwestern University recently made a new melanin-based hair dye. It copies natural human hair pigment. This unique product is said to offer potentially safer hair colour therapy than traditional chemical-based dyes. Like any new hair colour product, always discuss with a professional before using it. This is to get the best results and keep away from possible reactions or harm to your hair.
If there’s an imbalance in your hormones, particularly thyroid hormones, it can affect hair care. It can influence both your hair cycle and its colour. If you feel a hormonal imbalance is changing your hair colour or texture, talk to a healthcare person. Get any needed testing done, find out potential problems, and start the right management under the guidance of the doctor.
We know stress affects many parts of your health. Research suggests it may even play a role in melanin production in your hair. Mental stress affects the stem cells that renew hair pigment. This could lead to early greying or changes in hair colour. By managing stress, you may help lower the impact of stress on your melanin production and overall hair health. You may do this by following practices like meditation, mindfulness, exercise, and spending time with loved ones.
Too much sun and UV exposure can cause stress in cells. It affects your hair’s melanin levels. This leads to early greying or fading of hair colour. To cut down the impact of UV exposure on your hair, make sure to protect your hair. By wearing a wide-brimmed hat, using sun-protecting hair care products, and steering clear of long exposure to direct sunlight.
Frequent use of hair care products that contain strong chemicals, such as sulfates and alcohols, can rob your hair of its natural melanin. This can make it fade in colour or increase risk of damage. Also, if you regularly undergo chemical hair treatments, like colouring and bleaching, there’s increased buildup of hydrogen peroxide in your hair. This impacts your hair’s melanin content and contributes to greying. To stop chemicals from affecting your hair’s melanin levels, go for gentle products. Make sure they don’t contain sulfates and alcohols. Also, reduce using chemical treatments and heat styling tools.
The pigment melanin plays a vital role in determining your hair colour and protecting your hair from UV damage. Over time or due to factors like sun exposure, stress, and hormone imbalances, melanin production may slow or stop in your hair. The results in grey or white hair. A holistic approach may help support melanin production. This includes eating antioxidant-rich foods, managing stress and chemical exposure, and practicing sun safety. These may help maintain your hair’s natural colour and health.
Bringing these changes to your diet and lifestyle can greatly support your hair and overall health. While research is still exploring the benefits of supplements and melanin-boosting foods, a broad-based approach seems the most promising. It considers all aspects of hair health and could give the best long-term gains. As always, discuss with a healthcare professional before making big changes in your routine.
While there’s no proven way to get back melanin in hair, you may try living healthily and eat right. Packed with antioxidants, essential nutrients, and copper, this may support hair health. You should also manage stress well and follow sun protection rules to keep melanin loss in your hair low.
Foods that may increase melanin in hair include antioxidant-rich foods like berries, nuts, beans, citrus fruits, and leafy greens. Eating foods high in copper, such as crab meat, almonds, lentils, peanuts, and beef liver, may also support melanin production in hair.
To boost melanin naturally, focus on a balanced, nutrient-rich diet. This includes antioxidant-rich foods, foods high in copper, and vitamins A and E. Besides, manage stress, guard your skin and hair against too much sun, and limit chemical treatments. This could help keep melanin levels in your hair high.
In most cases, once hair has turned grey or white due to less melanin production, it can’t return to its original colour. However, addressing any underlying issues and shortages affecting your melanin production could help keep the colour of your existing hair and stop more greying.
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