The Best Hair Vitamins For Women

What exactly are hair vitamins?

Hair vitamins are supplements that claim to improve hair health. Popular manufacturers, for example, claim that their products may boost hair growth, lustre, thickness, and strength.

 

Many products on the market include comparable substances, such as biotin, vitamins C and E, collagen, folic acid, and omega-3 fatty acids. They may also contain ingredients such as ashwagandha and ginseng, which some people believe might help strengthen hair.

Despite their widespread popularity, these products are usually promoted by paid celebrities and influencers and rarely by health experts.

Do hair vitamins for women work?

Hair is seen as a symbol of beauty and health in many cultures across the world.

Unfortunately, many people find it challenging to develop good hair. This has resulted in a rise in the number of hair supplements on the market.

While hair vitamins and supplements are frequently promoted as the key to good hair, detractors contend that there is little scientific data to justify their usage. So you may be wondering what hair vitamins are and if they work.

This article examines hair vitamins, their usefulness, and whether or not they are worthwhile to buy.

Which nutrients are beneficial to hair health?

Various variables influence hair health, including age, genetics, hormone levels, medical problems, food, stress, and hair treatments. This makes determining the fundamental cause or causes of any issues challenging.

Hair loss or thinning, lack of growth, dryness, fragility, brittleness, and dullness are all symptoms of unhealthy hair.

In many circumstances, making changes to your food and lifestyle can help you maintain healthy hair. Getting enough of these critical nutrients, in particular, may increase the health and integrity of your hair:

  • iron
  • zinc
  • protein
  • selenium
  • vitamin A
  • vitamin B12
  • vitamin C
  • vitamin D
  • vitamin E
  • biotin (B7)

Protein, in particular, is necessary for hair development since it is the primary building element of hair. Furthermore, shortages in minerals such as B vitamins, iron, and vitamins C and D have been associated with hair loss, poor hair development, and thin hair.

Increased hair loss and weak, unhealthy hair can also be caused by diets that are exceptionally low in calories and fat, such as some weight reduction programs and diets that eliminate whole food categories, such as vegan eating habits.

 

If you suspect any underlying reasons for hair loss or a lack of growth, it is critical to engage with a dermatologist or other healthcare practitioner to identify them.

Effectiveness

Despite widespread usage, there is insufficient scientific evidence to support hair vitamins and supplements to cure hair issues.

While specific nutrients have been linked to improved hair health, most studies have found that hair supplements are only helpful in persons whose hair a nutritional shortage causes problems.

For example, a 2016 study of 541 women with hair loss discovered that 38% were insufficient in biotin. The other occurrences of hair loss, according to researchers, were caused by other vitamin shortages or illnesses such as thyroid abnormalities or female pattern baldness.

Similarly, a 2013 research found that women who lost their hair had considerably lower iron levels than women who did not lose their hair.

However, shortages in nutrients usually found in hair vitamins, such as biotin and vitamin C, are uncommon. Furthermore, taking these nutrients if you don’t have a deficit is unlikely to boost hair growth or look.

Furthermore, because of the possibility of adverse side effects from iron supplements, most countries require a prescription to receive large amounts of this mineral. As a result, iron usually is either supplied in small quantities or not at all.

Additionally, there is minimal evidence that hair loss supplements, including iron, biotin, B vitamins, vitamin C, zinc, selenium, and folic acid, promote hair health or growth. Some supplements, on the other hand, may aggravate hair loss or induce nutritional poisoning.

Instead of taking random supplements to encourage hair growth, try working with healthcare professionals to establish any underlying reasons for hair loss and test for deficiencies that may be remedied by diet, properly selected supplements, or both.

Recommendation

Rather than spending money on pricey hair vitamins, focus on a balanced diet rich in colourful vegetables and fruits, whole grains, protein, and healthy fats. This will guarantee that your body receives the nutrients it needs for optimum hair development.

Additionally, take time to focus on other aspects of your health, such as getting enough sleep, controlling stress, and exercising regularly. When your body is in good working condition, it can better support non-essential activities like hair growth.

If none of these lifestyle changes helps, seek the advice of a healthcare expert to help you identify any other potential underlying issues.

The bottom line

No scientific research has shown that hair vitamins and supplements boost hair growth, prevent hair loss, or improve other aspects of healthy hair such as dryness, lustre, and thickness.

In rare circumstances where vitamin shortages cause poor hair health, taking hair vitamins may enhance hair quality. In addition, a diet deficient in calories, fat, or protein has also been related to hair loss, and increasing your consumption of these may help.