“All participants had a physical count of their hair by a blinded clinician at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks, and the results were also confirmed with blinded photo-grading,” says Jay Small, a trichologist and cofounder of Arey. “There was a statistical significance between active and placebo groups at both the 12 and 24 week mark.”
Hair longevity has a new weapon in its arsenal. Arey has released new 6-month clinical results that show 88% of subjects using the brand’s Not Today, Grey supplement and To The Root scalp serum had less gray hair growth.
Results: Repigmentation + Reduction in Gray Hair Growth
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study on the appearance of gray hair, conducted by a third party, featured 173 participants covering all hair types.
Participants were assessed by the number of gray hairs in a targeted area of the crown, as well as overall hair quality improvements. Measurements were conducted via quantitative means and by photographic analysis.
“All participants had a physical count of their hair by a blinded clinician at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks, and the results were also confirmed with blinded photo-grading,” says Jay Small, a trichologist and cofounder of Arey. “There was a statistical significance between active and placebo groups at both the 12 and 24 week mark.”
The study found that 88% of participants using The System, comprising Arey’s supplement and serum, had less gray hair growth.AreyThe study found that 88% of participants using The System, comprising Arey’s supplement and serum, had less gray hair growth.
In addition, 13% had less gray hair compared to those using a placebo who, in comparison, experienced a 10% increase in gray hair during the same period.
Participants using The System also experienced three times more thickness, fuller hair and enhanced shine, per Arey.
“To my knowledge, no randomized, double-blind placebo controlled trial has been conducted in people with gray hair,” says Kenneth Conrad, MD, FACP and Arey chief medical adviser. “Arey followed the gold-standard in clinical studies by conducting such a 6-month study to determine the effects of Not Today, Grey supplement and To The Root scalp serum on gray hair. That study showed an impressive statistically significant effect on gray hair, with 88% subjects in the active System group showing no progression of gray hair compared to baseline. Those positive effects were seen by counting gray hair and were confirmed by a separate photographic analysis. There were also positive findings in the secondary endpoints of hair thickness, fullness and shine. Importantly, the products were well tolerated with no serious adverse events. It is encouraging to know that we can have a positive impact on graying and aging hair and that consumers, physicians, and hair stylists now have a choice in managing aging hair.”
“Arey Hair Care’s combination of food supplement and topical serum work synergistically to decrease grey hair and improve hair density, shine, and volume after just 12 weeks,” says Nancy D. Rodgers, Ph.D., principal investigator with SGS. “Arey really put this two-product system to the test in a robust study design and the results demonstrate that it is possible to slow down the graying process and even repigment already grey hair.”
How Does Arey Reduce Gray Hair?
To understand how Arey’s formulations work, it’s first important to understand the difference between gray and fully white hair, as well as the limitations of treating the latter.
“Our study was conducted on participants that ranged in age from 28-65 and all had less than 25% gray,” says Small. “In order to preserve or even repigment strands, there needs to be some melanin production left in the follicles. There is a difference between gray and white hair. While most call white hair gray, that is typically inaccurate. Before hair turns fully white, we may notice subtle loss of pigment, dulling, or ashy tones in the hair. These characteristics of pigment loss are referred to as ‘graying.’ If you start a proactive routine like The System, it can help preserve and repigment your hair strands naturally.”
The System is built on Arey’s targeting of hair longevity at the cellular level, expanding its focus beyond the IRF4 gene that causes 30% of gray hair.
Small notes, “Vitamin and mineral deficiency, along with oxidative stress from factors like sun and chemical exposure, contribute to hair losing pigment and turning gray. As we age, our bodies use nutrients less efficiently.”
These insights inspired the brand’s formulations.
Small explains, “Not Today, Grey is a daily supplement that combines B6, B9, B5 and B12 to give cells energy and iron for the production of red blood cells that support essential functions like cell turnover. PABA, vitamin D and copper help to protect the hair from premature graying while B7 improves the protein structure of the hair which results in density and thickness.”
He adds, “Selenium, black sesame extract and FoTi are powerful antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals and protect cells from damage that can result in signs of aging like graying hair or changes to its texture and density.
Meanwhile, the brand’s Mela-9 Complex allows the supplement and serum to collaboratively slow the growth of gray hair while also repigmenting hair that has already turned gray.
“The Mela-9 Complex is formulated with antioxidants, naturally derived extracts and a clinically efficacious peptide to balance free radicals that develop due to oxidative stress in the hair follicle,” explains Small. “Oxidative stress is one of the main causes of cellular stress that can result in signs of aging such as graying hair.”
He continues, “The formula utilizes naturally derived extracts to help relax the tissue of the scalp and improve absorption of the ingredients into the hair follicle. Once the formula has reached the hair follicle, the peptide palmitoyl tetrapeptide-20 amide (or PT20) works to upregulate melanogenesis. The process of melanogenesis is when the hair follicle produces pigment cells that then get added to the hair strand before it keratinizes and grows out of the scalp.”
As an aside, the trichologist notes, “Fun fact: if you have black to medium brown hair, your body produces pigment called eumelanin; if you have lighter-colored hair like light brown, reddish or blonde, you produce pigment called pheomelanin.”
That said, “Regardless of hair color, hair texture, or ethnicity, our bodies create pigment in the same way,” Small explains. “The Mela-9 Complex is formulated for all hair types and can be found in our daily serums (To The Root and Calm It Down), as well as Wash shampoo and Scrub exfoliant and even dehydrated in our powder dry shampoo, Wait A Sec.”
How Arey’s The System Works
“To The Root contains The Mela-9 Complex,” says Small. “This formulation works to balance free radicals that develop due to oxidative stress in the hair follicle. Wasabi, ginseng, soybean and hops extract promote cell turnover in the dermal layers of the skin improving absorption of the essential antioxidants and peptides.”
He continues, “FoTi, black sesame and selenium help reduce signs of oxidative stress in the hair follicle, this supports the PT20 peptide in stimulating MCI-R which creates pigment. The Mela-9 Complex preserves pigment and can help repigment strands that have not turned fully white. To The Root is a daily serum that is free of oil and scent, this allows the product to be applied directly to the scalp multiple times without causing build up on the hair and scalp.”
Products are only one part of The System’s success, however.
Small explains, “To achieve the best results from The System, timing and consistency are key. Similar to how we address fine lines and wrinkles, hair pigment needs to be supported before individual hairs have turned fully white or the overall percentage of white on the head is too high.”
Small concludes, “Our research represents a significant leap forward in how we address gray hair, blending our deep understanding of hair care with cutting-edge science. For the hair care community and our valued consumers, this means a shift towards more effective, evidence-based solutions. Our study not only validates our approach but also sets a new precedent in proactively managing aging hair from the inside out and outside in.”