Many people worry about their hair health. Women typically focus on keeping their hair healthy, vibrant, and lustrous. Men face a simpler concern: how to keep it! Regardless, we all want healthy hair. This makes hair growth supplements highly appealing.
Visit your local drugstore’s vitamin section, and you’ll easily spot supplements promoting hair growth and overall hair health. Online shopping enthusiasts can browse Amazon to discover the vast array of hair growth supplements available.
Now, for the crucial question: do hair growth supplements actually work? The answer is: yes, and no. Since hair growth supplements rank among the most popular supplement products, it makes sense that some companies exploit customers by selling ineffective products. We’ll address this below.
For now, it’s important to understand what hair growth supplements are and how you can use them effectively. Specifically, we’ll cover:
- What are hair growth supplements?
- Benefits of using hair growth supplements
- How to take hair growth supplements
- Do hair growth supplements really work? (Yes, if you choose the proper product.)
- Are hair growth supplements right for you?
Before discussing hair growth supplements, it’s essential to understand why our hair becomes damaged in the first place. Let’s start there!
5 Causes Of Damaged Hair
Hair damage and hair loss typically stem from these five factors:
1. Age
As we age, hair growth activity gradually declines. This becomes particularly noticeable around our 30s, though some experience significant decline in their 20s while others maintain healthy hair growth into their 30s and 40s.
2. Genetics
When our genes predispose us to hair loss, there’s little we can do about it. Approximately 60-70% of the population carries genes that cause male and female pattern hair loss to some degree.
3. Lack Of proper nutrition
Consistently eating unhealthy foods or meals lacking essential vitamins and minerals will eventually damage your hair health alongside other parts of your body. Focus on consuming nutrient-dense meals packed with vitamins and minerals.
4. Major Health Problems
Certain health conditions can trigger hair damage or loss. Those dealing with anemia and thyroid problems are particularly susceptible to compromised hair health.
5. Major Life Events
Significant life events can impact hair health. Childbirth and major surgery, for instance, can increase hair shedding. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean permanent hair loss. The increased shedding may be temporary, with hair health returning to normal over time.
Stress also contributes to hair loss for valid reasons. However, some experts suggest stress doesn’t directly cause hair damage and loss. Nonetheless, if you’re chronically stressed, finding effective stress management techniques is crucial—not just for your hair, but for your overall physical and mental wellbeing.
What Are Hair Growth Supplements?
Hair growth supplements are exactly what they sound like: supplements that promote enhanced hair health and can support your hair growth.
These supplements typically contain several vitamins and minerals that support hair health and growth, including Vitamin A, Vitamin B12, biotin, essential proteins, zinc, and iron.
While you can purchase hair growth supplements as complete formulations, you might already be getting these same vitamins through your diet or other supplements. For example, if you’re taking biotin supplements, you’re already receiving the hair benefits biotin provides, along with its other advantages.
Nevertheless, if hair health is a genuine concern, using dedicated hair growth supplements to promote healthy hair growth certainly won’t hurt.
One important note: always examine the label of any hair growth supplement you’re considering to identify which vitamins it contains. This way, you’ll understand exactly what benefits a particular supplement can provide.
Benefits Of Using Supplements For Hair Growth
The primary benefit of using hair growth supplements is promoting and potentially restoring your hair health and growth.
As mentioned earlier, hair growth supplements typically contain numerous essential vitamins and minerals necessary for optimal hair health.
Here are some vitamins commonly found in hair growth supplements. Remember, they’re not necessarily all included in one product, so checking the label before purchasing is essential:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin H (Biotin)
- Zinc
- Iron
- Essential proteins
- Folic Acid
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Flaxseed Oil
Remember that these hair-supporting vitamins and minerals can benefit other parts of your body as well.
For instance, Vitamin A supports eye and bone health alongside hair health. Meanwhile, Vitamin H or biotin is a powerful vitamin offering multiple health benefits, including metabolic support, blood sugar regulation, and cholesterol reduction.
Of course, obtaining these vitamins and minerals independently through diet or individual supplements provides the same comprehensive benefits.
How To Take Hair Growth Supplements
Hair growth supplements typically come in capsule or pill form, so you’ll take them like any other capsule or pill medication. Always check the proper dosage and consumption instructions for your supplement and follow them carefully.
Some hair growth supplements come in shampoo form as well. Hair growth shampoos are designed for direct application to your hair, theoretically delivering essential vitamins and minerals directly where they’re needed to enhance hair health.
Do Hair Growth Supplements Really Work?
This is the critical question: do they actually work, or are they just a fad? The short answer is: yes, they work, but with important caveats.
First, hair growth supplements might work, but not necessarily in the way you expect. They won’t magically restore hair from hair loss or make your hair glossy overnight. At best, hair growth supplements support and enhance hair health by providing their contained vitamins and minerals.
Second, hair growth supplements work most effectively when used early in the hair loss process (or before hair loss patterns begin). If your hair health has been severely compromised over many years (around 7-10 years), hair growth supplements can do little to restore your hair beyond preserving what remains.
Additionally, hair growth supplements never guarantee lifelong hair retention. As mentioned earlier, genetics and aging contribute to hair damage and loss, and these factors remain beyond our control.
Finally, hair growth supplements often lack FDA regulation. This creates opportunities for counterfeit products. Always check labels carefully, and for optimal results, use only hair growth supplements recommended by trusted sources or positive reviews from reliable blogs.
Despite these limitations, hair growth supplements do work—you just need to find vitamin-dense products that suit your needs. This might require some experimentation, but don’t give up because the results are worth the effort.
Are Hair Growth Supplements Right For You?
If you want to maintain optimal hair health, hair growth supplements might be worth trying. These supplements are typically gentle on the body with minimal to no adverse effects. If you’re seeking stronger hair, testing a supplement is an excellent idea.
Best Supplements For Hair Growth
Nutrafol Core for Women / Nutrafol for Men ($88)
While hundreds of pills, powders, gummies, and products promise hair growth, Nutrafol has earned endorsements from various dermatologists who consider it among the market’s best products. Priced at $88, these capsules are on the higher end of the pricing spectrum, but past users confirm they’re worth every penny.
Hum Hair Sweet Hair ($25)
Another highly rated hair growth supplement is Hum Hair Sweet Hair. This 100% vegan hair growth and care supplement comes in gummy form and contains proteins, vitamins, and biotin designed to stimulate hair growth. Hum Hair Sweet Hair costs $25 for a 30-day supply of 60 gummies.
GET THE BEST PRICE ON HUM HAIR SWEET HAIRSuperHair Daily Hair Nutrition by Moonjuice ($60)
Another capsule-based product, SuperHair promises healthier, thicker, and stronger hair, backed by their potent complex mix of bioavailable and bioactive ingredients.
Matrix 5000 by Elon ($30)
This moderately priced supplement has hundreds of positive reviews and recommendations, plus support from many dermatologists. Matrix 5000 combines biotin with silicone dioxide and l-cysteine. This powerful trio promises increased hair growth while strengthening nails, hair, and skin.
Viviscal Extra Strength Hair Nutrient Tablets ($35)
Viviscal is an extra strength hair supplement with thousands of positive customer reviews and support from various clinical trials and industry endorsements. The combination of professional and consumer reviews has made it a staple for many seeking hair growth. This supplement not only promises hair regrowth but is priced affordably, making it accessible to many users.
GET A FREE GIFT WITH YOUR VIVISCAL PURCHASECan I Stack Hair Growth Supplements With Anything?
You can combine hair growth supplements with virtually any other supplement. These supplements are typically gentle on your body and lack potentially harmful qualities.
Hair Growth Supplement Alternatives
While the supplements mentioned above work excellently for hair growth, several alternatives include collagen peptides, castor oil, and biotin. While collagen and biotin appear in some of the above products, they can also be taken independently.
Final Thoughts: Best Supplements For Hair Growth
If you’re considering adding a hair growth supplement to your routine, now is an excellent time to try one. Hair growth supplements are safe and convenient, plus they offer various benefits. If you experience any negative symptoms after starting a hair growth supplement, consult a medical professional for guidance.
