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Gray Hair May Guard Against Deadly Melanoma, Study Suggests
15 Nov
Summary
- New study links gray hair to lower melanoma risk
- Damaged stem cells that cause graying may also prevent cancer
- Dermatologists caution gray hair doesn't guarantee cancer protection
According to a new study published in November 2025, having gray hair may be a sign that your body is working to protect you from melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Researchers examined the melanocyte stem cells in rodents and discovered that when these cells are exposed to carcinogens, they respond in one of two ways: they change and leave the system, leading to gray hair, or they continue dividing, which could signal the development of tumors.
"While gray hair develops, the risk of melanoma simultaneously decreases," explains Yasuaki Mohri, PhD, the lead study author and assistant professor at The University of Tokyo. The researchers believe that damaged melanocyte stem cells, which could otherwise cause cancer, are being eliminated from the hair follicle, serving as a protective mechanism against melanoma.
However, dermatologists caution that this does not mean people with gray hair are in the clear when it comes to skin cancer. "I would not use gray hair to predict a higher or lower risk of melanoma," says Ife J. Rodney, MD, founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics. "There are a lot of other variables that can lead to skin cancers." Experts recommend continuing to use sunscreen regularly, regardless of hair color.
