In mice, when a specific gene called Bcl2 isn't working, the stem cells that make pigment die off when the hair cycle pauses, but the mature pigment cells stay alive — showing that stem cells really rely on this gene to survive.

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Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

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Community contributions welcome

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Mechanisms of Hair Graying: Incomplete Melanocyte Stem Cell Maintenance in the Niche

Cross-Sectional Study

Human

2005 Feb 4

The study shows that when mice lack the Bcl2 gene, their hair color cells' 'stem cells' die off before they can make new pigment, but the working pigment cells stay alive. This matches the claim exactly.

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Source Study

Mechanisms of Hair Graying: Incomplete Melanocyte Stem Cell Maintenance in the Niche

Score: 20

DOI: 10.1126/science.1099593

Similar Assertions

When a certain gene called Bcl2 isn't working right in mice, the stem cells that give rise to hair color die off when hair follicles go dormant, but the actual color-making cells are fine—this leads to hair turning gray faster.

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87%

As we get older, the cells that give hair its color start to die off because of stress and lower levels of a protective protein, which is why hair turns gray and doesn’t grow back colored.

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71%