GR-7 restores the natural color hair with “effects visible after 14-21 days” with “100% certainty” if it's is used correctly. Those are very bold claims. So does it work? In this GR-7 Professional gray hair review, you'll see the research on the product, how to use it, and how long it takes to work? How do you use it? Any side effects? Here are 14 things to know before you purchase.
1. What is GR-7?
It's a topical liquid applied to the scalp that's supposed to restore hair to its natural color. The product website says you should start seeing results in as little as 2-3 weeks if used correctly. For best results, the company recommends avoiding alcohol, coffee, and smoking during use.
Both alcohol and smoking generate free radicals and might contribute to premature gray hair. However, coffee has antioxidant effects. The company is not clear why you would have to refrain from drinking coffee while using GR-7 Professional.
2. How's GR-7 Supposed To Work
Hair color is controlled by the amount of melanin it has. Melanin is a dark pigment that gives color to both hair and skin. Melanin is essentially natural hair color. As we age, we lose melanin. This is likely caused, in part, by free radical damage. GR-7 Professional is said to “kick melanin back into action.”
But, how does it turn on melanin production? How does it work? The company is vague about how the ingredients activate melanin production.
3. GR-7 Professional Ingredients
Here are the ingredients:
- sulfur
- aqua
- biotin
- arctium lappa (also called Burdock)
- polysorbate 20, inositol
- ammonium chloride
- gallic acid
- tyrosine
- glycerine
- ammonium acetate
- parfum
- horsetail extract
- palmitic acid
- isopropyl alcohol
Ingredients are numbered in order as they appear on the label. Ingredients at the top make up the most. Ingredients listed at the end make up less of the product.
For the most part GR-7 contains unique ingredients not found in other anti-gray hair products. For example, it does not contain the enzyme catalase. Catalase is found in some anti-gray supplements but there's little proof for it. Likewise, the product does not contain Amla fruit or pseudo-catalase either. See those reviews for more insights.
On the flipside, GR-7 Professional does contain horsetail extract, which is also found in several hair growth supplements including:
This is interesting considering the product is not touted to help hair grow. Maybe horsetail is included to help support healthy hair? This is speculation?
Tyrosine
GR-7 Professional contains tyrosine, an amino acid needed for melanin production. Melanin is the pigment that gives hair its color. In one study researchers noted when dogs consumed more tyrosine, their coats increased melanin production.
While encouraging, human proof of this effect cannot be located.
That said, remember GR-7 is to be used topically. It's not to be consumed. No studies of topical tyrosine causing enhanced melanin in hair follicles of humans can be located.
Tyrosine is also found in the Darkenyl hair color treatment too. See that review for more insights.
4. GR-7 Professional Research
On the product website (GR-7.uk) the company provides a PDF file that describes the research done on this cosmeceutical. In one of the experiments, 25 people (15 women and 10 men), age 19-56 years of age, were given GR-7 for 1 month. They used the product 1-2 times a day. The people were given surveys. The responses to those surveys indicated GR-7 restored hair color in most people.
While encouraging, there are some problems with the study.
Problems With The Study
1 it does not appear to be a published peer-reviewed study
2. why were people as young as 19 years of age included? Also, how many people were younger?
3. the study doesnt include before and after pictures. Before and after pictures are provided on the product website.
5, Who Makes It?
The company is called Mallhattan LTD. Their address is 590 Kingston Road, London, SW20 8DN. This address corresponds to another company called Offshore Business Solutions. The company phone number is 48-6044-04284. The company website is GR-7.uk.
6, How Often Do You Use it?
Use once per day. For faster results, it can be used twice a day. If using twice a day, the application should be once in the morning and again before going to bed. Because it works in the bulb of the hair follicle, the liquid needs to be rubbed into the scalp, not the hair itself. Also, the scalp needs to be dry when you use it. Be sure not to wash your hair for the first week when you start using GR-7.
7. How Long Does It Last?
The company says hair color restoration will last for 1-3 weeks depending on the individual structure and condition of your hair. Basically that means expect better results if your hair is healthy and lesser results if your hair isn't healthy.
8. How Long Do You Have to Use It?
Once your natural hair color is restored, the company recommends using GR-7 once or twice a week to maintain the effects. During this maintenance phase, expect a bottle to last you 1-2 months. Just as before, the product needs to be rubbed into the dry scalp. Also, be sure to not wash or dry your scalp after use.
If it really works, you would have to continue this ritual forever. The company states the graying process would start again after 3-4 weeks of halting application. While long term studies have not been conducted, it's likely any benefits you see would eventually go away once you stopped using the product.
9. Does It Work on Eyebrows?
GR-7 is for hair on the scalp only. It's not to be used on eyebrows, facial hair, or hair anywhere else on the body. If the liquid gets into your eyes, wash your eyes with lots of water.
10. How Much Does It Cost?
On the product's UK website, a bottle (4.4 oz) was going for $49.80 (that's 39.90 UK pounds). Some salons may carry the product too. Salon prices may be less.
11. Where Can You Buy GR-7 Professional?
At this time, it looks like its not yet available in America or in stores like Ulta Beauty, etc., but it can be purchased directly from the company at GR-7.uk. Some salons may carry it too.
12. How To Use GR-7 Correctly
The company states the product works best when used correctly. But what does that mean? Here are some things to help you based on what is listed on the product website:
- Avoid alcohol, smoking, and coffee
- Use 1 or 2 times a day
- Shake the bottle well before using
- Rub liquid into the scalp. Do not apply to your hair.
- Avoid washing your hair for the first 7 days you start using GR-7
- Do not apply to wet hair. The hair and scalp must be dry
- Do not dry hair or brush your hair after application
- Don't freeze or refrigerate
- If your hair is dyed, let your hair grow about 2 cm (about 1 inch) first
- Only use it topically. Do not drink it.
- To maintain effects use 1 or 2 times a week afterward, following the same precautions as above
13. GR-7 Side Effects
No side effects were reported in the initial research study. The company does recommend to not use the product if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. The company also recommends to not use the product if it is past the expiration date printed on the bottle. Here are a few other things to keep in mind when using GR7 Professional
- Start with less than recommended for the first week
- If you have any medical conditions, ask your doctor
- Use on a small patch of skin first to see if you have a reaction
- Keep the liquid away from eyes
- Not intended for facial hair or other body hair
- Do not refrigerate or freeze the product as low temperatures may reduce its effectiveness
- Not intended for children
- Do not consume internally
- Do not use on dyed hair until you let the hair grow out by about 2 centimeters (about 1 inch)
14. How Long Will A Bottle Last?
The company says everyone is different so there's no simple answer to this. They do say a bottle may last 1-2 months when used for maintaining hair color. They also make a bold claim that “even a person who has been grey for 20 years, if he uses GR-7 as recommended, will notice that the product is working with just one bottle.”
15. Does GR-7 Reverse Gray Hair?
The product website has some interesting before and after pictures. The company that makes GR7 Professional also has some preliminary research too, although that research does not yet appear to be peer-reviewed. If you try GR-7 remember results may vary. While I remain skeptical for the moment, if you do try it, let me know what happens.