Do you feel like your hair isn’t as thick and full as it used to be? If so, you’re not alone. Currently, according to data from hair salon Philip Kingsley, around 40% of women suffer from hair loss or thinning. Furthermore, 73% of them say they believe that stress is the cause.
Sure, you can fake hair volume and growth with shampoos, serums, scalp treatments, and extensions, but if you really want your hair to grow longer, thicker, and healthier, you need to start from the inside out.
Obviously a varied and balanced diet is the best way to ensure you’re getting all the nutrients your body needs to maintain a healthy scalp and hair, but sometimes dietary restrictions, intolerances and allergies come into play and you just can’t eat everything your body needs.
That’s where hair supplements come in. Here’s what you need to know about hair transformation supplements and which ones you should buy.
Why should you take hair supplements?
Collagen, Vitamin D, Zinc and Iron are all involved in helping hair grow, so not getting enough of these can affect the strength, length and health of your hair.
“Nutrition deficiencies are known to cause hair loss and inadequate intake of proteins, minerals, essential fatty acids and vitamins may also be a contributing factor,” says the expert in dermatology research and practice.
That’s where the latest hair growth products come in. Packed with vitamins and minerals needed for stronger, healthier hair, these tablets, gummies, capsules and liquids can help fill in any missing nutrients.
Do hair supplements work?
The good news is that women with thinning hair can actually benefit from taking oral supplements to promote hair growth, according to a study in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology.
After 90 days, significantly more subjects in the control group reported improvements in overall hair volume, scalp coverage, and thickness. Women with thinning hair experienced an increase in the number of terminal hairs and a decrease in hair loss. After 180 days, further improvements were observed in shinier hair, more moisturized skin, and smoother skin.
However, scientists believe that hair supplements can only boost your hair if you are deficient in a key nutrient in the first place. Your body will not absorb more of a particular nutrient than it needs, but the less of a particular nutrient you have in your body, the easier it will be absorbed. For example, if you are deficient in iron, your body will actively absorb that nutrient from food and supplements. So if you think you may be deficient in a certain vitamin or mineral, it’s important to consult your doctor or nutritionist to have your levels checked.
Can hair supplements really improve hair growth?
“Hair loss is a common problem that can be improved with vitamin and mineral supplementation, so certain supplements have traditionally been used to improve hair growth,” explains Jessica Sepel, clinical nutritionist and founder of JSHealth Vitamins.
“Vitamin D is important for normal cell growth and function, and a deficiency can lead to hair loss. Alopecia areata is a common form of hair loss that occurs when the immune system attacks hair follicles. Some studies have linked alopecia to low levels of vitamin D, making supplementation a possible treatment.”
How to Choose the Right Hair Supplement
Here, Sepel shares three ways to choose the right hair supplement for hair growth and health.
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Look into the evidence and research behind the ingredients in products that are proven to promote hair growth.
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Ingredient Dosage: Make sure this is where the research is done.
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We review how our formulas are manufactured to ensure they meet strict standards and regulations globally.
Why not try some of the best hair supplements on the market? Consider this your ultimate guide to stronger, healthier hair for 2022.
Which hair supplement is best for me?
Best Hair Supplements: All-Rounders
Addressing scalp health and hair growth in one convenient capsule, The Nue Co’s popular supplement delivers a daily dose of vitamins, proteins, and adaptogens to deliver nutrients to your hair follicles to help your hair look and feel stronger from scalp to tips.
The best hair supplements: immediate results
Feel’s hair loss support supplement has been proven in clinical trials to reduce hair loss (and provide visible results) within 90 days, and the trials also showed a significant impact on hair health, with test takers reporting increased hair volume, density, and shine.
The secret ingredient? Keranut. Keranut is scientifically proven to reduce hair loss and strengthen hair, with results usually starting to be seen within 3 months.
Best Hair Supplements: For Thinning Hair
A little thinning of hair is normal, but if you start to notice it thinning more than usual, you might want to enlist the help of Gen Actin. Specifically, Ouai’s hair supplement, which is enriched with biotin (to strengthen hair) and pea sprout extract (to reduce hair loss), can help make your hair appear thicker in just 60 days.
Best Hair Supplements: Vegan-Friendly Formulas
The Australian brand’s best-selling formula, this hair and energy power duo contains iodine and zinc to maintain healthy hair, skin and nails, and support hair growth. “I first created my mineral-rich hair growth formula because when I was in private practice as a nutritionist, I noticed that my clients were lacking essential minerals like iodine and zinc, even when they were committed to a healthy diet,” says Sepel.
Best Hair Supplements: Long-Term Solutions
Proven to reduce hair loss by 18% and increase hair thickness by 7%, this hair supplement is backed by over 25 years of scientific research. Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Gwyneth Paltrow have all been recorded using the supplement, and we wouldn’t mind swapping our hair with any of them.
Best Hair Supplement: The OG
If you look at hair supplements, you’ll notice that biotin is one of the main ingredients. So why not go straight to the source? This water-soluble B-complex supports cellular energy and promotes hair growth.
Best Hair Supplement: Triple Whammy
The most important vitamins for hair are zinc, biotin and B vitamins, and this hair supplement has exactly those. Not only does it help hair growth, it also strengthens your nails. Bonus!
Best Hair Supplements: Topicals
If you’re constantly asking yourself if hair supplements work, try minoxidil. Though it’s not a supplement, this over-the-counter topical medication not only restores hair growth but also stops female pattern baldness immediately. Massage the lather into your scalp once a day before bed.
Best Hair Supplements: Multivitamins
Created by nutritionist Sana Khan and packed with a cocktail of hair, skin and nail strengthening nutrients including biotin, silica, iron and zinc, it’s the ideal supplement for anyone looking to boost their diet.
Best Hair Supplements: Probiotics
This drinkable, bio-fermented probiotic is designed to boost the skin’s natural collagen production, improving elasticity for plump, glowing skin. The combination of probiotics with grape seed extract, zinc, vitamin C and a beneficial berry blend also helps strengthen both hair and nails.
Best Hair Supplements: For Pregnant or New Moms
If you’re struggling with post-pregnancy hair loss but don’t want to take supplements (especially if you’re breastfeeding), this is the product for you. The 100% natural formula moisturizes hormonal hair and enriches the scalp with vitamins, natural collagen and omegas, restoring hair to its pre-pregnancy best.
Best Hair Supplements: Innovative Formulas
A powerful punch of Biotin, Zinc and our flagship AnaGain complex stimulates cells and hair follicles to regrow. While a 3-month course is recommended to see results, many users claim to see thicker, longer hair in just 4 weeks. That’s quick!
Best Hair Supplements: Gummies
Pills aren’t for everyone. For those who have difficulty taking supplements the traditional way, gummies may be the solution. STARPOWA Gummies contain Biotin, Zinc and Vitamin C to support healthy hair, skin and nails. They’re also suitable for vegans and incredibly tasty.
Best Hair Supplements: Those with Collagen
If you are over 35, this hair supplement is perfect for you. It is packed with collagen and iron, helping to keep your hair shiny, strong and healthy even in your 40s.
Best Hair Supplements: Daily Multivitamins
If you’re not sure you necessarily need or want a hair supplement, but would rather have an all-around supplement that’s good for your hair (and everything else), consider Beauty Pie. This brand new supplement line provides highly effective nutrients in capsule form. These vegan multivitamins contain a full range of nutrients: B vitamins, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, vitamin A, vitamin E, copper, calcium, magnesium, manganese, iodine, selenium, and zinc. So you can look forward to healthy skin, hair, and nails in just a few weeks.
Best Hair Supplements: Gut Health Superstars
Dr. Nigma Talib strongly believes that gut health is the key to healthy skin and hair, and has used her expertise in naturopathic medicine to develop a premium line of supplements formulated to keep skin, hair and nails looking their best.
Best Hair Supplements: Add Shine and Volume
Dr. Barbara Sturm is a legend in the beauty industry, so it’s no surprise that six years of research and clinical trials went into this supplement, which is made up of a nutritional complex called the “DBS Hair System,” each ingredient of which plays a role in preventing premature hair loss and keeping your hair lush.
Best Hair Supplements: For Extra Energy
Many of the nutrients that keep your hair, skin and nails healthy are also the nutrients that keep your energy levels high. Myvitamins supplements contain zinc, vitamin C, biotin and selenium to help maintain energy and improve hair quality.
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