Like most things in life, going grey is a gradual process. It starts with a few silver strands standing out in amongst your natural colour; then, there is that noticeable regrowth. Editor Trudi Brewer shares clever supplements that could slow that process and boost vitality and shine.

Our hair is one accessory that helps define our style, and when it’s not looking its best, it can affect your entire mood. Here are the latest hair supplements created under the watchful eye of naturopath Jane Cronin from Clinicians, who explains how they work. “How quickly hair turns grey depends primarily on genetics and ethnicity. Environmental factors can also influence that, such as pollution, ultraviolet radiation, psycho-emotional influences, nutritional status, metabolism, and cigarette smoking,” Cronin says this biological process is due to the loss of a substance called melanin. “Hair is made up of structural proteins called keratin, which form the outer layer of a hair strand, but it’s colourless. This is filled with melanin, a pigment which gives our hair colour. The density of melanin pigment in the hair strand and different types of melanin create our natural colour,” says Cronin. She adds. “Melanin is important not only to the colour of our hair but also to our hair’s texture, so as levels decline, the hair quality may become more brittle, thin, dull and dry.” Masking those greys up until now has been the job of a colourist or a DIY dye job. However, Hair ReColour, helps support your natural hair colour from the inside out.

Clinicians Hair ReColour, 30’s, $50.

Here’s how it works

According to Cronin, the effective formula lies in the wool of black sheep from France. “Hair ReColour contains the ingredient called Melatine™, a keratin-rich extract from sheep’s wool that is hydrolysed, making it more absorbable. It not only helps hair structure and quality, but Melatine™ is also naturally rich in melanin, which stimulates our natural production of melanin through our hair follicles so that new hair growth will have more colour pigment.” Taken long-term, Cronin says HairRecolour is the ideal supplement for anyone who is colouring their hair and would like to extend the time between root touch up. “There is also the advantage that keratin and melanin support hair quality, providing antioxidant protection, where hair colouring can often be hard on hair’s condition.”

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Clinicians’ supplements are backed by research and science. “Melatine™ has been shown to significantly support the pigmentation of white or salt and pepper hair. One study showed a 13 per cent darkening of hair colour over 120 days. Another study showed after four months of use, 87 per cent of participants found their hair more coloured, and 84 per cent wanted to continue using the product.

More good news for anyone whose hair is lacking vitality

Clinicians Hair Revitalise, 30s $50.

Like our skin, hair loses vitality as we age. Cronin believes in getting to the root cause of hair issues. "It's important to support stress and hormones and ensure good nutritional intake in your diet." She adds. "The hair below the skin (which are the living roots that take up nutrients) and the external hair (which is no longer living), the hair we see, is made up of structural proteins called keratin." A good reason why many hair products include keratin in shampoo and conditioners and in-salon keratin treatments. "Keratin is responsible for hair, volume, quality and supporting strong roots. ReVitalise provides keratin, the much-needed building blocks for healthy hair, with patented keraGEN-IV®, a New Zealand ingredient from white sheep wool. Bioactive and digestible keraGEN-IV® provides an abundance of the amino acids cysteic acid and cysteine, which are used to create collagen. These ingredients help support the hair's root by anchoring follicles in the scalp." Suitable for anyone looking to support hair quality and thickness at any age or stage of their lives. Cronin says another bonus is that these supplements encourage strong, healthy nails.