Kashmal Kalan Links Grey Hair to Genetics, Stem Cells, and 3rd Decades

Grey hair affects millions of people worldwide, and Dr Kashmal Kalan says the main drivers are genetics and the behavior of pigment-producing stem cells in hair follicles, not stress. He said the change usually starts between the third and fourth decades of life, as melanin production declines and melanocytes gradually lose function.

Kalan, medical director at Alvi Armani hair restoration clinic, said: "Clinically, in practice, we have noticed thinning hair that loses pigment and gets darker with time." Studies are now underway to restore natural hair color by reactivating dormant pigment cells, while early work has shown promising results in restoring pigment production.

Alvi Armani clinic

Researchers say many common beliefs about greying are inaccurate. They link premature greying most often to genetics, while chronic stress can accelerate depletion of melanocyte stem cells. In certain cases, premature greying may also be associated with vitamin B12 deficiencies or underlying autoimmune conditions.

The practical divide for readers is simple: grey hair is not usually a sign that one habit caused the change, and the most common cosmetic fixes do not change the biology. Plucking does not increase the number of grey hairs, but repeated trauma to the follicle can damage it and may lead to permanent hair loss in that area.

Stem cell treatments

No established medical therapy currently reverses greying. Kalan said most commercially available products lack robust clinical evidence, and supplementation only helps where a true deficiency exists. Deficiencies in vitamin B12, iron, and copper may contribute to greying in atypical cases, but the available evidence for other approaches remains limited.

Researchers are also studying regenerative options such as PRP, mesotherapy, and exosome-based treatments for follicular health and possible effects on pigmentation. Those approaches have shown early promise, but outcomes are not yet predictable, which leaves the current choice clear for anyone looking at grey hair now: cover it, treat a deficiency if one is present, or wait for stronger data on reactivation-based therapies.