Chinese actress's post revives claims of injection 'cure' for grey hair as scientists' work draws scrutiny

A Chinese actress has renewed public interest in experimental treatments for grey hair after posting a social media video saying injections she received had begun to restore natural hair colour.

Guo Tong, 37, told followers on the short-video platform Douyin that she had completed her tenth injection in a course that she said was intended to reverse white patches back to their original colour. In the video she said her pigmentation issues were not hereditary but stemmed from stress and an "irregular lifestyle," and that the doctor monitoring her had photographed new darker roots and a few strands turning from white to black.

The post and accompanying reports have referenced work by Chinese scientists who are said to have developed injections intended to restore hair pigmentation. The claims have circulated widely on social media and been amplified by tabloid coverage, drawing attention from people seeking alternatives to permanent hair dyes and other cosmetic approaches.

Published, peer-reviewed clinical data supporting a reliable, safe injection that restores age-related grey hair to its original colour are not widely available. Dermatologists and researchers caution that hair greying is a complex biological process influenced principally by genetics and aging, and that robust evidence — including randomized clinical trials and safety monitoring — is required before injections could be considered an established treatment.

Scientists who study hair pigmentation say greying typically results from loss or dysfunction of melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin in hair follicles, or from depletion of melanocyte stem cells in the follicle niche. While stress and certain medical conditions can be associated with changes in hair colour, the degree to which stress directly causes long-term greying in humans remains a subject of research rather than settled fact. Animal studies have demonstrated physiological links between stress and pigment loss in mice, but translating such findings to humans requires clinical evidence.

Interest in restoring hair pigment has led to a range of approaches in the lab and clinic. Past research has explored pathways involved in melanocyte survival and activation; some therapies approved for other pigmentation disorders, such as vitiligo, have shown the ability to repigment skin and, in limited cases, hair affected by those conditions. However, repigmenting age-related grey hair poses distinct challenges because it generally reflects reduced melanocyte function tied to aging rather than focal autoimmune loss.

Cosmetic clinics in several countries offer procedures and products that claim to affect hair pigmentation, from topical serums to injectable formulations. Regulatory oversight and the evidence required for marketing such interventions vary by jurisdiction. Medical professionals emphasize that injections intended to change hair colour should be subject to the same standards as other medical treatments: clear description of ingredients, documented safety profiles, controlled trials demonstrating benefit, and regulatory approval where applicable.

Medical risks associated with unregulated injections include allergic reactions, infection, scarring, and systemic side effects depending on the substance used. Dermatologists urge consumers to seek information on the composition of any treatment, the qualifications of providers administering it, and whether independent clinical trials support its efficacy and safety.

Guo Tong said she missed three sessions because of travel and had dyed her hair during filming, which she acknowledged made visual assessment more difficult. She said her doctor had been tracking progress photographically and that she was pleased to see early signs of dark roots emerging. Her account is anecdotal and does not substitute for clinical evidence.

Experts say that while anecdotal reports can prompt scientific investigation, they cannot establish treatment effectiveness on their own. For those interested in reducing the appearance of grey hair, established options remain cosmetic dyes and hair-care products, along with consultation with a dermatologist for hair and scalp health concerns.

Researchers continue to study the biology of hair pigmentation and potential interventions. Any new therapy claiming to reverse grey hair will require transparent reporting of methods and results, independent replication, and safety assessment before it can move from social-media headlines into accepted medical practice.