Try GOLD - Free
GOING GRAY? NOT SO FAST.
Men's Health US
|March - April 2025
Cutting-edge tech might reverse how your hair looks as you age. Really.

PITT. CLOONEY. DENZEL in Gladiator II. There's certainly nothing wrong with leaning into silver fox status. But who among us hasn't wondered, as the hair collects on the barber cape, if there is a way to trade out some salt for more pepper? Dye is temporary. (And messy.) Supplements are shady. (And $$$.) Cue-balling is an option. (But cold.) Why hasn’t science fixed this yet? Actually, researchers are zeroing in on a solution. The result could mean slowing, and one day even reversing, gray hair. Here's the idea behind all the geeky science—and what to do until it becomes reality.
WHY HAIR GOES GRAY
DON'T BLAME THE HAIR ITSELF. Within a hair follicle (the part of the hair attached to the skin) lives a type of cell called a melanocyte. These cells determine skin and hair color. As you age, melanocytes "become less active, leading to hair that lacks pigment and looks gray, silver, or white," says New York-based dermatologist Morgan Rabach, MD.
How to reverse graying remains one of those bodily mysteries that no one has quite cracked yet. What's complex is that the melanocytes in a hair follicle don't show the same pattern of aging as the ones in our skin, Dr. Rabach says. "We believe the reduction in activity is a mixture of genetics, oxidative stress, and the depletion of the melanocyte stem cells over time."
This story is from the March - April 2025 edition of Men's Health US.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Men's Health US

Men's Health US
SUPERSTARS OF TOMORROW
The 25 biggest athletes. The 25 biggest sports. The biggest graduating high school class in history. Meet The MH 25.
5 mins
July/August 2025

Men's Health US
THE NEW PLAYBOOK FOR ADHD
Meds are one option. But doctors (and patients!) see promise in drug-free tactics.
3 mins
July/August 2025

Men's Health US
CAN BILL NYE SAVE SCIENCE?
Nearly three decades after the final episode of his beloved TV show aired, the Science Guy hasn't lost his way. In fact, in an era when science often feels under siege, he’s doubled down on it. This time, though, it’s personal.
14 mins
July/August 2025

Men's Health US
BEST. SHAKE. EVER.
Sick of boring, chalky-tasting protein concoctions? Us too. Prepare your blender for a flavor revolution.
2 mins
July/August 2025
Men's Health US
THE 4-D ARM WORKOUT
New science reveals the road to muscled-up bis and tris is less about #armday and more about total-body stimulus and pushing to your limits.
4 mins
July/August 2025

Men's Health US
What I learned about PROTEIN OVER 15 YEARS Editing food stories at MH
I FIRST LEARNED the true power of protein more than a decade ago. On assignment for this magazine, I worked with a trainer and dietitian in the hope of adding muscle to my frail frame.
1 mins
July/August 2025

Men's Health US
THE FIRE OF FREE
At 20 years old, FAUSTO LOPEZ was one of thousands of heroic firefighters who fought the Los Angeles wildfires—some of the most destructive in California history. But amid the black smoke and fierce winds, he also faced a bigger battle: for a second chance at life.
20 mins
July/August 2025

Men's Health US
THE 2025 OUTDOOR AWARDS
Awesome outdoor adventures demand durable gear. We hard-tested truckloads of products. These winners are worth taking with you.
2 mins
July/August 2025

Men's Health US
THE SEMI-COMPLETE USER'S GUIDE TO...YOUR JUNK
At some point, it's gonna have trouble doing its jobs. These fixes bring the action back.
4 mins
July/August 2025

Men's Health US
HOW HEART DOCS STAY IN FIGHTING SHAPE
The everyday habits and easy hacks of seven experts in cardiovascular awesomeness. BY JULIE STEWART
3 mins
July/August 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size