Highlights: 

  • Bryan Johnson’s hair loss reversal routine includes a red light therapy cap, a customized topical formulation, microneedling, and exosome therapy. 
  • To mitigate hair graying, Johnson utilizes two topical formulations: GR7 and Mayraki. 
  • Johnson asserts that “The best time to work on your hair is before you start losing it…Otherwise, it’s harder to catch it.”  

Bryan Johnson, a self-proclaimed anti-aging fanatic, recently released a YouTube video with over half a million views called How I Reversed My Hair Loss + Greying. In this video, Johnson reveals his secrets to preventing hair loss and strategies for reversing that “salt and pepper” look we experience with aging.  

Johnson begins the video by acknowledging his genetic predisposition to baldness and early graying, a challenge he met head-on in his late twenties. He states, “So genetically, I should be bald…I’m now 46 and it’s been a lot of work to keep the hair I have.” 

Most people don’t begin hair loss treatment until their follicular friends begin noticeably disappearing, and Johnson stresses that this is the worst thing someone can do for hair loss prevention. He says, “The best time to work on your hair is before you start losing it…Otherwise, it’s harder to catch it.”  

Red Light Therapy Cap 

Johnson’s first innovative strategy for preventing hair loss is a battery-powered red light therapy cap that he wears every morning. This device, equipped with 32 lasers, is designed to not only promote blood flow but also revive hair growth. Studies on this treatment are still in their infancy, and Johnson points out that it is not the most potent intervention. That being said, he claims the preliminary findings are promising and he will continue using the cap as part of his hair care regimen. 

Johnson’s Customized Topical Formulation

The second promising hair loss intervention Johnson incorporates into his daily routine is a meticulously crafted and personalized topical formulation made by his local pharmacy. 

The formula includes biotin, caffeine, ginkgo biloba, diclofenac, and melatonin. Considering  scientific support for these compounds’ effectiveness in reversing or preventing hair loss is not robust, here’s a list of the more potent and well-studied compounds inside Johnson’s “most powerful hair formulation”

Finasteride and Minoxidil 

Finasteride and minoxidil are the only two FDA-approved hair loss treatments available, and they are commonly taken in tandem with each other, as studies have shown promising results of their combined treatment. Finasteride targets hair loss at its hormonal roots by inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a primary driver of hair follicle shrinkage and loss. By reducing DHT levels, finasteride can effectively slow, stop, and in some cases even reverse hair thinning, acting directly on the hormonal imbalance that drives male pattern baldness. 

Minoxidil works as a vasodilator, meaning it enhances blood flow to hair follicles, which in turn can stimulate growth by rejuvenating shrunken follicles and increasing hair shaft diameter. While its exact hair growth mechanism has yet to be fully elucidated, multiple studies support its ability to promote hair growth and increase hair density, making it a critical asset in dermatological treatments against hair loss. Accordingly, Johnson says that 5% minoxidil is a good place to start when beginning treatment for hair loss. 

Rosemary Oil and Tea Tree Oil 

While these FDA-approved drugs are known for their potency, they are not without potential side effects. For those looking to explore natural alternatives to treat hair loss, rosemary oil and tea tree oil are promising options, offering therapeutic benefits with fewer side effects, and providing a naturalistic approach to managing hair health and promoting regrowth. In fact, in a study comparing the efficacy of rosemary oil to minoxidil, the investigators found that both treatments significantly increased hair count in participants with androgenetic alopecia. What’s more, those treated with rosemary oil experienced less scalp itching, further indicating its potential as a gentle yet effective remedy for addressing hair loss. 

Similarly, in another study looking at the effects of a special mix containing minoxidil and tea tree oil, known to have powerful antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, researchers found that this mix was more effective at addressing hair loss than minoxidil alone. Notably, one study revealed that regular use of shampoo containing tea tree oil significantly reduced dandruff, a common scalp condition that can contribute to hair thinning. So, by alleviating scalp inflammation and keeping hair follicles free from dandruff-induced blockages, tea tree oil can potentially support healthier hair growth, further demonstrating its utility as a safe natural alternative that can minimize hair loss. 

Azelaic Acid

Azelaic acid is another literature-backed compound shown to be effective at helping promote hair growth. And although it has not been approved by the FDA, research indicates that it is a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant compound capable of thwarting the production of DHT, working similarly to finasteride.  

Microneedling

Johnson mentions that he also intermittently incorporates microneedling into his routine to enhance the effects of his topical formulation. However, he warns against the overuse of this intervention, as it has the potential to cause scalp damage.

He states, “We are also a little worried because I was doing so many things for my hair. I was doing PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections and micro-needling and we were a bit worried that I was causing too much trauma to my scalp.”

Reversing Grey Hair

In addition to mitigating hair loss, Johnson is also interested in reversing the gray color of his remaining hair, another prevalent feature of aging that Johnson began experiencing in his late 20s and early 30s. Hair can turn gray as we age for many reasons, including genetics and lifestyle factors. That being said, the underlying biological process behind hair graying is the gradual decrease in melanin, a hair-coloring agent that stems from pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. And when melanocyte numbers decrease with age and their health deteriorates, often due to increased oxidative stress, less melanin is produced, leading to the growth of less pigmented, or grayer, hair strands.  

In an effort to halt the inevitable, Johnson uses two formulations in tandem. The first is a product called GR7, which Johnson takes three to four times per week and is designed to stimulate melanin production in hair follicles. It includes popular hair-supporting ingredients like glycerin, biotin, and tyrosine; however, popular board-certified dermatologist, skincare enthusiast, and YouTube star Dr. Dray had this to say about GR7: 

“I suppose in theory it could feed the melanocytes but come on that is a stretch. Getting stuff down into the hair follicle is a formulation challenge. I’m highly skeptical that this is going to do anything,” states Dr. Dray. 

The next formulation Johnson utilizes one to two times per week to restore the natural color of his hair is Mayraki, a product that claims its “patented active ingredient boosts melanin production at the bulb and stimulates natural pigmentation.” Again, Dr. Dray reiterates her skepticism of this treatment actually working, but she notes that the product does have strong anti-inflammatory properties and potentially contains a hair-dying agent, which Johson also claims. 

Dr. Dray concludes by stating, “I’m kind of intrigued that he has decided to use these two things. I don’t really think they’re doing much if I’m being honest. But it’s hard to judge if he’s truly had reversal of gray hair because he was dying his hair before, allegedly.” 

What Lies Ahead

Johnson finishes the video by stating that he sympathizes with those who are experiencing hair loss, and he acknowledges the physiological stress and overwhelming nature of dealing with this taxing situation. He also stresses the importance of basic hair care, like being gentle with your hair when washing it and not brushing it vigorously. 

He goes on to say that he supports others wanting to experiment with more advanced therapies like red light therapy,  PRP,  and microneedling. Uniquely, Johnson briefly mentions a new advanced therapy he is experimenting with that uses exosomes, tiny membrane-bound vesicles secreted by cells that carry various essential proteins and molecules that help facilitate cellular communication and regulate physiological responses. 

He states, “So we open up the channels in the hair and the scalp, and we put in the exosomes. So we’re going to see the efficacy of that. It’ll probably take a few months for us to get the results.” 

It is clear that Johnson has put a great deal of effort into optimizing his hair loss and anti-greying regimen, and he hopes that this video helps others “gain ground on slowing the loss of hair and maybe even restoring some that has been lost.”