Short answer: Yes. “Vitamin and supplements can help with hair growth,” says Steve Dabelui, MD, associate professor of dermatology and program director at Wayne State University in Detroit. “It also helps ensure that the hair follicles have all the nutrients they need to do their job of forming and growing hair,” he says. “Similar to how drugs work, some work by promoting hair growth activity.”
It also contains ingredients that directly combat specific triggers of hair loss, such as hormonal imbalances, says Dr. Danilo Del Campo, a board-certified dermatologist and partner at Chicago Skin Clinic. For example, he says saw palmetto may target dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone associated with hair loss.
Dr. Michelle Green, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York City, says a variety of vitamins, including vitamin B, vitamin D, and vitamin E, can improve hair retention and prevent hair loss. However, hair loss due to vitamin deficiencies is fairly rare in developed countries, where a balanced diet often provides all the essentials. The exception, she says, is people on strict diets like vegans.
Well, how many Whether vitamins or supplements help your hair grow faster depends largely on the underlying cause of your hair loss, Dr. Green says. That’s why Dr. Davlouis recommends understanding the root cause of your hair loss before relying on vitamins and supplements. This allows you to take a targeted approach.
People who actually have vitamin deficiencies can see powerful results from taking supplements. But for people who don’t have nutritional deficiencies or whose hair loss is due to factors unrelated to nutrition, such as genetics (or another medical condition), the benefits of hair growth vitamins and supplements “may be more modest.” Dr. Del Campo says.
What to look for: Vitamins and supplements can While it can help strengthen your hair, it’s often not enough on its own to fully grow and maintain your hair, Dr. Green says. Some people may need to add other hair care treatment options in addition to over-the-counter vitamins and supplements to truly reduce hair follicle miniaturization and increase hair growth and retention, she says. explains. This is where topical or oral medications such as Propecia or minoxidil may be helpful. Dr. Green suggests consulting a board-certified dermatologist for a personalized recommendation.
