Do Hair Loss Vitamins Really Promote Hair Growth?

Table of Contents

• Why is My Hair Thinning?
• Which Vitamins Help To Prevent Hair Loss?
• Do Hair Vitamins Really Work?
• Alternative Hair Loss Treatments

Why is My Hair Thinning?

Hair loss can be caused by several factors, including:

• Genetics
• Stress
• Diet
• Lifestyle
• Pregnancy
• Medical conditions
• Medication you may be taking

Certain factors such as genetics and age cannot be controlled, in this instance this is called male or female pattern hair loss. 

Taking the right vitamins however can play a part in promoting hair growth. When you have a vitamin deficiency, your body produces a response to conserve energy. One of the first processes that is sacrificed to conserve energy is hair growth, causing the hair follicles to remain in the resting phase for longer than usual. It is essential to nourish your body with essential vitamins to prevent this from happening.

BOTTOM LINE: A lack of vitamins can contribute to hair loss. Certain vitamins such as vitamins A, B, C, D and E can work to promote hair health. Deficiencies can be supplemented by a healthy diet, or by taking supplements.

Which Vitamins Help To Prevent Hair Loss?

Biotin

Biotin is a B-vitamin which helps the body convert food to energy and fatty acids. In fact, the name derives from the Green work “biotos”, which means “sustenance” and “life”. This is not a coincidence given that biotin can help to restore life into your hair, promoting healthy hair that can be sustained.

Biotin works by helping to produce keratin, a protein which helps to strengthen hair and prevent damage to hair follicles. Studies have shown that Biotin promotes growth, as well as reducing the rate at which hair is lost. It can be found in natural foods such as eggs, nuts and meat. [1] If you are not able to get enough naturally, you should take a biotin supplement. The recommended amount is 100mcg daily. Biotin is water soluble and difficult to overdose on as an excess is excreted in urine.

BOTTOM LINE: Biotin can help with hair loss and can help to produce hair that is thicker. It works by preventing damage to follicles and strengthening hair to prevent it from falling out. Sources include nuts, eggs and meat.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A helps reduce hair loss by helping glands in the scalp to produce an oily substance known as sebum. Sebum helps to keep the scalp moist, which in turn, promotes hair growth and stops loss. However, too much vitamin A can cause hair loss. Excess can cause over stimulation of hair follicles, causing them to reach the end of the growth phase quicker than usual. This can cause your hair to fall out. There is a fine line between getting the right amount of vitamin A and having too much. You should only take vitamin A if you have been advised by a healthcare professional that you are not getting enough from your diet. Foods rich in vitamin A include sweet potatoes, spinach, oily fish and eggs.

BOTTOM LINE: A lack of vitamin A can cause hair loss. However, too much can lead to hair loss by causing hair follicles to reach the end of the growth phase at a faster rate. It is important to find the right balance through a healthy balanced diet.

Vitamin C

The damage from free radicals (harmful molecules in the body), can negatively impact hair follicles causing hair to fall out. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that reduces the stress placed on follicles by free radicals. A lack of vitamin C can also cause anaemia, a side effect of which is hair loss. An added benefit of vitamin C is that it produces collagen, an amino acid which acts as a building block for thick and healthy hair. Foods rich in vitamin C include peppers, guavas, broccoli and citrus fruits.

BOTTOM LINE: Damage from free radicals can prevent hair growth and vitamin C is an antioxidant which helps to protect against this. Vitamin C also helps to produce collagen which supports healthy hair regrowth.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps to reduce hair loss by stimulating the development of hair follicles, improving hair growth. New hair follicles can help to sustain thickness and stop existing hair loss. A lack of vitamin D can cause hair to shed. In fact, research suggests that vitamin D deficiency can cause alopecia, a condition which causes patchy hair loss. The best source of vitamin D is from sunlight. During months where sunlight is limited, you should look to other sources such as oily fish, eggs and red meat. If you are unable to gain an adequate amount of vitamin D from your diet, you can take a supplement.  It is recommended to take around 15 micrograms (mcg) or 600 international units of vitamin D.

BOTTOM LINE: Vitamin D can encourage the production of new hair follicles whilst activating existing ones. There is a link between vitamin D deficiency and alopecia, a condition which causes hair to fall out in small patches.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E can help to increase blood flow which stimulates hair follicles to produce healthy hair. It also works to create a barrier of protection, locking in moisture to prevent a dry scalp. An unhealthy scalp can affect the quality of hair, and vitamin E works to provide a strong base for hair to grow from by maintaining the protective layer. It is also a powerful antioxidant, which can stop oxidative stress. Studies have shown that people experiencing hair thinning or loss saw a 34.5% increase in hair growth after taking vitamin E for 32 weeks. The group that did not saw a 0.1% increase. Vitamin E is found in vegetable oils, nuts and green leafy vegetables.

BOTTOM LINE: Vitamin E can help to prevent hair loss by improving circulation, providing moisture to the scalp and by preventing oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Research strongly suggests that it helps to improve hair growth

Iron

Iron is a critical mineral that plays an essential role in the human body, particularly in the synthesis of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Its importance extends to hair health as well; iron deficiencies can lead to hair loss, making adequate iron intake vital for maintaining luscious locks. The body cannot produce iron on its own, necessitating its consumption through diet or supplements. Sources of iron include meat, seafood, beans, spinach, and iron-fortified cereals.

BOTTOM LINE: For individuals experiencing hair loss, it's advisable to check iron levels as part of a nutritional assessment. Ensuring proper iron levels can support not just overall health, but also contribute to stronger, healthier hair.

Zinc

Zinc is crucial for maintaining the oil glands around the hair follicles, thereby helping to protect and promote healthy hair growth. A deficiency in zinc can lead to hair thinning and loss, as it can impair hair follicle recovery. Hence, ensuring adequate intake of zinc through diet or supplementation can be beneficial for those experiencing hair loss. It's always important, however, to balance zinc intake properly, as excessive zinc can also negatively affect hair health.

BOTTOM LINE: Zinc is crucial for maintaining healthy hair as it supports the oil glands around hair follicles and aids in hair growth; however, both deficiency and excess can have adverse effects.

Selenium

Selenium is a trace mineral that plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy hair and overall well-being. It contributes to the proper functioning of the thyroid gland, which regulates hormone levels and influences hair growth and strength. As part of a balanced diet, adequate selenium intake can potentially reduce hair shedding and promote robust hair growth. However, it's important to consume it in moderation, as excess amounts can have adverse effects, including hair loss.

BOTTOM LINE: Selenium is crucial for maintaining overall health, like zinc however, both deficiency and excess can adversely affect hair.

Do Hair Vitamins Really Work?

Vitamins can help to prevent hair loss that is caused by a bad diet. Poor nutritional intake causes hairs in the “growing” stage to enter into the “resting” phase earlier than they should. This causes hair to fall out prematurely, resulting in excess shedding. Incorporating the right vitamins and minerals into your diet can help to encourage hair growth and reduce shedding.

Hair loss can also be a side effect of medication or medical treatment (including chemotherapy). If your hair loss is caused by issues to do with your health, you should visit your GP, as it is unlikely that vitamins will work.

Alternative Hair Loss Treatments

Genetics play the biggest part in hair health, especially in men, which means that in some instances, hair growth supplements may make little difference. Genetics are the most common cause of hair loss, for which there is no cure. In men, this is known as male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia). Hair loss treatments such as Finasteride, can help to reduce the rate at which hair is lost, as well as helping to regrow hair. Finasteride works well and is used by many men worldwide, however, it will only work for as long as you take the medication.

Minoxidil is another widely used drug for treating mild or moderate hair loss in both men and women. It isn’t fully understood how Minoxidil promotes hair growth but experts believe it increases blood flow to the scalp, shortening the resting phase and stimulating follicles to enter the growing phase of the hair growth cycle.

Please note that Minoxidil 2% can be taken by both men and women who suffer from androgenetic alopecia, while higher strengths such as the Minoxidil 6% topical spray is only suitable for men.

At Chemist Click, we offer free online consultations before you purchase any hair loss treatments. This allows our qualified pharmacists to approve the best treatment according to your circumstances.

Whilst all of our content is written and reviewed by healthcare professionals, it is not intended to be substituted for or used as medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.