Does NMN Get Rid of Grey Hair? Separating Fact from Anecdote

Over time, your body's levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a key molecule for cellular function, naturally decline. This age-related decrease has sparked interest in NMN supplements as a potential way to slow aging, leading many to ask: does NMN get rid of grey hair?

Quick Summary

Despite growing anecdotal reports from some users, definitive scientific evidence confirming that NMN reverses or gets rid of grey hair is currently lacking, although it may support general hair health.

Key Points

• Scientific Evidence: No conclusive human studies confirm that NMN gets rid of grey hair, despite some promising animal studies and anecdotal reports.

• Cellular Health: NMN may support overall hair health by boosting NAD+ levels, which helps reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, two factors contributing to aging.

• Melanin Production: A key study on aged skin cells found that NMN reduced melanin production, suggesting a potential for the opposite effect of what is desired for hair color restoration.

• Limited Human Data: A clinical study showed NMN improved hair thickness and subjective quality in women but did not report reversing grey hair color.

• Anecdotal vs. Fact: While some users report color changes, these are not backed by rigorous scientific evidence and should be considered with caution.

• Underlying Cause: Hair graying is often caused by permanent melanocyte depletion, a process no supplement has been proven to reverse once it occurs.

• Consult a Doctor: Always talk to a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you have underlying health concerns.

The Biological Basis of Hair Graying

To understand if NMN can impact hair color, it's crucial to first understand what causes hair to go grey. Hair gets its color from melanin, a pigment produced by specialized cells called melanocytes, which are located at the base of hair follicles. As we age, these melanocytes become less active and eventually die off, resulting in a reduction of melanin. When new hair grows without pigment, it appears grey, silver, or white. A number of factors contribute to this process, including:

• Genetics: Your genes play a significant role in determining when and how quickly you go grey.
• Oxidative Stress: The buildup of reactive oxygen species (free radicals) damages melanocytes and their ability to produce melanin.
• Catalase Deficiency: Hydrogen peroxide naturally builds up in hair follicles over time. Normally, an enzyme called catalase breaks it down, but as we age, catalase levels drop, and the hydrogen peroxide can bleach the hair from the inside out.
• Stem Cell Exhaustion: Hair follicle stem cells are responsible for regenerating melanocytes. With age, these stem cells can become exhausted, leading to a permanent halt in pigment production.

NMN and Its Role in Cellular Health

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is a direct precursor to NAD+. By supplementing with NMN, the goal is to increase NAD+ levels in the body, thereby supporting key cellular functions that decline with age. Higher NAD+ levels can activate sirtuins, a class of proteins that regulate cellular health, metabolism, and stress resistance. This cellular rejuvenation effect is the primary reason NMN is explored for its anti-aging potential, including its possible effects on hair.

How NMN Might Influence Hair Health

The connection between NMN and hair health is multifaceted, primarily revolving around its effects on cellular processes and oxidative stress:

• Reducing Oxidative Stress: NMN's ability to boost NAD+ levels may enhance the body's antioxidant defenses, protecting melanocytes and hair follicles from oxidative damage.
• Supporting Follicle Health: Some animal and in-vitro studies have shown that NMN can protect hair follicles from age-related atrophy and inflammation, promoting a healthier environment for hair growth.
• Improving Blood Flow: Enhanced cellular energy and overall function may lead to better circulation, including blood flow to the scalp, which provides essential nutrients to hair follicles.

The Unproven Link: Does NMN Get Rid of Grey Hair?

While the mechanisms above provide a theoretical basis for how NMN could support overall hair health, the leap to does NMN get rid of grey hair is not supported by robust scientific evidence. Here's what the current research and data tell us:

• Anecdotal Evidence is Not Proof: Many online reports and personal stories suggest NMN has reversed grey hair for some individuals. While encouraging, these are not controlled scientific studies and can be influenced by many factors, including placebo effect or changes in diet and lifestyle.
• Limited Human Data: A 2025 human clinical study in middle-aged women did find that oral NMN supplementation improved subjective perceptions of hair quality, such as elasticity and gloss, and even increased hair diameter and growth rate. However, the study did not report a reversal of grey hair color. Importantly, it did find improvements in the perception of grey hair, suggesting subjective benefits rather than biological reversal.
• Conflicting Research on Melanin: A 2022 study published in the Journal of Dermatological Science found that NMN reduced melanin production in aged skin melanocytes. While this finding was for skin, not hair, it suggests a mechanism that is contrary to the desired effect for reversing grey hair.
• Irreversible Damage: For many, the melanocyte damage that causes grey hair is irreversible. Once the pigment-producing cells are permanently depleted, no supplement, including NMN, can bring them back to life. At best, NMN might help prevent new grey hairs by preserving remaining melanocyte function, but reversing existing ones is unlikely.

NMN vs. Other Approaches to Grey Hair

For those considering NMN, it's helpful to compare its potential effects with other approaches to managing grey hair. The following table contrasts NMN's purported mechanisms with established methods, highlighting their different targets.

Feature	NMN Supplementation	Hair Dyes	Antioxidant-Rich Diet
Mechanism	Boosts NAD+ levels to support cellular health, reduce oxidative stress.	Applies external color to mask grey hair.	Reduces cellular damage from free radicals through nutrients.
Effect on Grey Hair	Unproven to reverse existing grey hair. May potentially slow new grey hair growth by preserving melanocyte function.	Immediate and temporary coverage of grey hair.	Indirect and long-term approach that may help prevent premature graying.
Side Effects	Generally considered safe at recommended doses, but long-term effects are still under investigation.	Potential for allergic reactions, hair damage, and chemical exposure.	Minimal to no side effects. Promotes overall health.
Goal	General cellular health, including potential hair benefits.	Cosmetic change.	Proactive health and wellness.

Conclusion: The Bottom Line on NMN and Grey Hair

The search for a supplement that can reverse grey hair is an appealing one, and NMN's role in cellular aging makes it a logical candidate. However, based on the current scientific literature, the claim that does NMN get rid of grey hair is not proven. While NMN may offer broader anti-aging benefits and could potentially support general hair health—like thickness and growth—it's not a reliable solution for restoring lost hair color. Anecdotal stories should be viewed with skepticism, and prospective users should not expect guaranteed results for grey hair reversal. For the most accurate and up-to-date information on the use of NMN, it is best to rely on peer-reviewed research, such as articles found in the Journal of Dermatological Science. As always, consulting a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen is recommended.

Future Research and Considerations

Ongoing research into NMN and NAD+ is likely to shed more light on its full range of effects. Future studies should focus specifically on human trials investigating NMN's impact on melanocyte function within hair follicles. Until then, managing grey hair with lifestyle factors, such as a balanced diet and stress reduction, remains a more predictable approach. Ultimately, embracing grey hair as a natural part of the aging process can also be a healthy and positive perspective.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there any conclusive evidence that NMN gets rid of grey hair?

No, human clinical evidence specifically proving that NMN reverses or gets rid of grey hair is currently lacking. Most of the support for this claim comes from anecdotal reports and preliminary animal studies.

How might NMN theoretically affect grey hair?

NMN is believed to support cellular health by boosting NAD+ levels, which can help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. Since these are factors in the aging process that contributes to grey hair, NMN might theoretically help, but this is still unproven.

Does NMN help with hair loss or thinning?

Some studies, including a recent human trial, suggest NMN can help with certain aspects of hair health, such as thickness and follicle strength, which could potentially address hair loss or thinning. However, this is distinct from restoring lost hair color.

Can a supplement really change hair color?

Hair color is determined by melanocytes in the hair follicle. Once a follicle produces grey hair due to depleted melanocytes, it typically does not regain its original pigment. At best, a supplement might help preserve remaining function, but reversing existing grey hair is unlikely.

What are some known causes of grey hair?

Grey hair is a natural part of aging, caused by a decrease in melanin production by melanocytes. Other contributing factors include genetics, oxidative stress, and the exhaustion of hair follicle stem cells over time.

How does NMN's potential effect differ from using hair dye?

Hair dye is a cosmetic, temporary solution that physically covers grey hair with external color. NMN, as a supplement, would address the internal biological processes. However, NMN's ability to affect hair color is unproven, whereas hair dye's effect is immediate and obvious.

Should I take NMN if my main goal is to get rid of grey hair?

If your primary goal is to eliminate grey hair, NMN is not a proven solution and you should manage expectations. It may offer other anti-aging benefits, but you should not count on it for hair color restoration based on current evidence.