I've just turned 38, and life... well, it's still the rollercoaster it's always been, just with more unexpected twists and the kind of sharp turns your back doesn't recover from as quickly. As I looked back through my birthday photos, what stood out—besides the chaos of cake, kids, and questionable candles—was the sheer number of new grey hairs photobombing the whole affair.
Turning 38 feels a bit like waking up in a body that's slowly being upgraded... or downgraded, depending on the day. My wife calls me a silver fox now—Fabio, even, on the days she's feeling especially kind. Then there are the other names she's called me over the years, but we'll save those for another post (probably titled "Verbal Abuse and Other Acts of Endearment").
TL;DR:
- I've just turned 38 and my hair is greyer, a little patchy, and more reminiscent of 101 dalmations than ever!
- Some of my grey hairs have reversed, thanks to combating a B12 deficiency.
- Finasteride helped slow and reverse the post-COVID hair loss.
- I've battled trichotillomania since age 7, hypertrichosis since puberty, and yet still get called a silver fox (sometimes).
My hair journey? Strap in. There's been alopecia barbae that reared its ugly head after my first bout of COVID. Random grey hairs that I wish would give me the Irish goodbye. Then I finally gave in and ordered finasteride—because nothing says "I'm just fine with going bald" like searching for hair loss reversal treatment while crying because the kids just won't go to sleep.
And let's not forget the trichotillomania I've had since about 7 (thanks, divorce), or the hypertrichosis that earned me the nickname "IT" in school. Throw in the fact that some of my greys are reverting back to their rightful colour (cheers, B12 deficiency), and I honestly don't know if I'm part werewolf or vampire. Which, to be fair, would track—I am Transylvanian.
Can Grey Hair Turn Back to Its Natural Colour?
Q: Can grey hair really turn back to its original colour?
A: In some cases, yes. Grey hair caused by stress or vitamin deficiencies (like B12) can sometimes regain pigment if the underlying issue is treated. This isn't common, but it does happen—my scalp is living proof.
Surprisingly, yes. But don't go binning your Just For Men just yet.
In rare cases, hair that's gone grey due to stress or nutrient deficiency (hello again, B12) can regain its original pigment if the root cause is resolved. For me, addressing a B12 deficiency seemed to reverse some of the greying—although I wouldn't say I'm Benjamin Buttoning my way back to 21.
Science backs this up (sort of). This study from Columbia found that temporary greying can reverse, but only in very specific circumstances—such as stress reduction or resolving deficiencies. So, if you notice a black hair where silver used to live, you're not losing your mind—just regaining a bit of melanin.
And in my case, some of those hairs clearly didn't get the memo. I've now got a patchwork quilt situation going on up there—strands of brown, silver, and something that looks suspiciously ginger all battling for dominance like they're auditioning for the live-action 101 Dalmatians. If Cruella's after me, it's not for fashion—it's for the sheer visual confusion my scalp offers.
Combating Hair Loss: My Finasteride Fix
At 35 I'd finally had enough and the friar tuck started rearing its ugly head. I'd already had thinning hair since my late 20s, made worse by years of trichotillomania. But after COVID, it was like my hair decided it had had enough and jumped ship.
Enter: finasteride. 1mg daily. It's not a miracle cure, but it's definitely stopped the mass exodus. My hair isn't as thick and luxurious as it used to be—a plus and a negative, as the girls would be fawning over my luscious locks and a little light teasing over whether or not I used TRESemmé was always welcomed! It's started reversing some of the patches of lost hair, but it's not as thick as the horse hair I used to don.
Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor. Just a dad with a patchy beard and too much time on Google. If you're considering finasteride or dealing with hair loss, speak to a medical professional first. Also, ask them why your kids never sleep. Worth a shot.
Trichotillomania & Hypertrichosis: The Odd Couple
You might be wondering how someone can both pull out their hair and be excessively hairy. Welcome to my life.
Trichotillomania started when I was about 7. Classic childhood divorce coping mechanism. I'd pluck from the crown, my eyebrows... and in later life when puberty hit—well, I'll leave it at that. And just when I thought I had it under control, puberty hit me again with wave after wave of hypertrichosis... ever see a follicle with four or five hairs growing out of it? How about an actual horn. Cheers, hormones.
By secondary school, I was being called "IT" (you know, Cousin Itt from The Addams Family). Tragic? Yes. Hilarious in hindsight? Also yes.
Birthday Reflections: A Letter to My Younger Follicles
If I could say one thing to 17-year-old me, it wouldn't be about career advice or life goals. It'd be this:
Your hair doesn't define your worth. But looking after it might just teach you something about looking after yourself.
Then again, you might want to invest in a few spare strings and maybe a decent headband, because you're going to spend the next decade headbanging like it's your part-time job. I lost more hairs to my guitar's headstock than I did to genetics. But hey, such is the risk of being a metal guitarist with ADHD.
Because let's face it: hair loss sucks. Greying can feel like ageing on fast-forward. And patchiness messes with your confidence. But it also teaches you patience, resilience, and the power of giving less of a toss.
Products I Actually Use
- Finasteride 1mg daily – Fairly cheap, not for everyone, and definitely check the side-effects. Thankfully I haven't experienced any of the negatives and my hair has definitely filled in.
- B12 supplements – Noticed less fatigue, clearer skin, and, weirdly, fewer greys.
Again, chat to a professional before you try anything. I'm just a bloke with an internet connection and a beard that only half-committed to growing in.
FAQ: Greying Hair and Hair Loss in Men
Can stress cause hair to go grey?
Yes, chronic stress can speed up the greying process by impacting melanin production. It's not the only factor, but it certainly doesn't help.
What is finasteride and does it really work?
Finasteride is a prescription medication that can slow or even reverse hair loss in some men. I've been taking 1mg daily, and it's definitely helped fill things in.
Can grey hair grow back its original colour?
Sometimes. If the cause is temporary—like stress or a B12 deficiency—it's possible. But don't count on it without addressing the root cause.
Why Embracing Grey Hair as a Dad Isn't the End of the World
Whether you're a dad, a werewolf, or a slightly crispy vampire like me, greying hair is a reminder that you've survived something. Or several somethings.
And if you're lucky enough to go grey? Go grey loud.
What about you? Got any weird hair stories? Did your beard vanish post-COVID? Or maybe your greys came in like a bad sequel. Drop it in the comments—we're all follicly flawed here.
