Bored, you scroll social media and see everyone's pictures – all prim and perfect. You scroll and scroll and notice the perfectly luscious locks everyone has, the beautiful ways they style their hair in and then look at your thin and weak hair. Relatable much? If thinning hair and increasing hair loss is the reason for your worries, then fret not! There are various supplements available to stimulate hair growth, such as those with keratin, collagen peptides, biotin, hyaluronic acid, all the alphabetic vitamins, and all of these can help your hair grow back longer and stronger in a matter of a few weeks to months. If you want to take the support of vitamins for your hair, then the key to achieving the best results is to commit to the pills for at least three months. Ahead, we answer the most pertinent question you might have: which vitamin is good for the hair?
01Do Hair Vitamins Actually Help Hair Grow Faster?
As you might already know, vitamins are highly beneficial for your hair. If your stunted hair growth is a result of nutrient deficiency or a poor diet, then in that case, hair vitamins and supplements can actually help you. Although there's no evidence to support that vitamins can help hair grow faster, deficiencies in specific vitamins can be the reason for hair loss or brittle hair. In that case, consuming enough of each vitamin may help keep the hair healthy.
02How do I Know Vitamin Deficiency Is Affecting My Hair?
Many of us might be lacking in some or the other vitamins and not even know about it. Reduced hair growth and increased hair fall can symbolise deficiency to a certain extent. That's because when you're not eating well, your body will first shut down your hair growth to redirect nutrients to other organs that need it more. On the other hand, when you're experiencing extreme stress (like now, during the pandemic!), then you might have noticed increased shedding of your hair. That's because when your body is stressed, it will provide nutrients were required the most, thus resulting in hair health taking a backseat. While these are signs of vitamin deficiency, the only way to know for sure is by getting your vitamin levels tested.
03Which Vitamins Are Good For Hair?
If you want to start taking vitamins for hair, here are the ones that benefit your hair the most. Check them out and consult with your doctor once before you start taking them, in case you have any underlying conditions. Better safe than sorry, right?
04B-Vitamins
If your hair loss is a result of nutrient deficiency, then B-Vitamins are good for hair growth. Intake of B-Vitamins has shown improved hair quality and growth.
How are B-Vitamins good for hair?
- B-Vitamins play a crucial role in producing red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the scalp, thus helping hair follicles generate new hair. They also help the DNA and RNA provide energy to the cells, absorb proteins and repair cells. There are eight types of B-Vitamins, and each of them helps your hair; however, biotin (Vitamin B7), folate (Vitamin B9) and Vitamin B12 are touted to be the most effective. Here's how each of them helps your hair:
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): Essential for the growth of cells, Vitamin B1 can reduce high sugar levels. How this helps is, high sugar levels cause hormonal imbalances and increase hair loss. Thus, this vitamin is good for hair health as it ultimately prevents hair loss.
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Crucial for collagen production, Vitamin B2 plays a vital role in hair growth by helping activate Vitamins B3 and B6. Studies have found that a deficiency of Vitamin B2 can result in alopecia. So, we guess that it is sufficient to say that Vitamin B2 is good for hair!
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin): Besides improving circulation to the blood scalp, niacin has antioxidant effects that keep the scalp healthy. Additionally, it also boosts hair growth by rebuilding keratin, which is significant for hair and nail growth.
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): Pantothenic acid helps to increase hair growth by supporting and protecting the adrenal glands. Thus, consuming this vitamin is good for hair growth.
- Vitamin B7 (Biotin): When it comes to hair health, biotin is the most sought after hair vitamin there is! It stimulates keratin production in the hair and increases the rate of follicle growth, thus making your tresses strong and less prone to falling off. In addition to this, biotin reverses damage caused by constant heated hair styling, giving you lustrous hair.
- Vitamin B9 (Folate): Playing an essential role in the body's growth, folate generates new cells, thus assisting in hair growth. It can also make your hair shinier.
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin): By assisting in producing oxygen-rich red blood cells, this vitamin boosts hair growth by nourishing the hair follicles.
05Vitamin D
While Vitamin D is widely known for its role in keeping the bones healthy, it also plays a role in hair growth and nourishment. It helps in creating new hair follicles, thus facilitating hair growth. Moreover, studies have also found a link between Vitamin D deficiency and alopecia areata, a condition that can involve severe hair loss. Vitamin D deficiency is not uncommon, so get your daily dose of Vitamin D from the sun and take supplements as well.
06Vitamin E
Vitamin E is another vitamin that is good for the hair. Essential for hair and skin, Vitamin E soothes the oil glands on the scalp, keeping it healthy. Improving blood circulation in the scalp, Vitamin E promotes the growth of healthy hair and repairs damaged hair follicles. It also seals in moisture, keeping the hair shaft from drying out. Thus, there's no doubt that Vitamin E is the best vitamin for hair growth. Your lifestyle and genetics can also contribute to hair loss, as can hormonal changes. So, if you are not nutrient-deficient, you can still consume pills and tablets with Vitamins B, A, D, and E. They may help to improve your hair health, but the results may vary. However, before beginning the course of any supplement, carefully read ingredient labels and know what's in your supplements. Consult with a dermatologist before using any vitamins for minimising the side effects.
07Frequently Asked Questions:
1) What deficiencies cause hair loss?
If you have been observing consistent and increasing hair loss, it could be because you lack in some nutrients. Lacking in zinc, Vitamin D, Vitamin B3 and iron could cause hair loss.
2) How long do hair vitamins take to work?
Vitamins are not magic pills, so do not expect overnight results. Depending on your hair, it may take from a few weeks to 3 months for noticeable results.
3) Does biotin thicken hair?
Yes, biotin can not only stimulate regrowth, but can also thicken your hair and add shine to it.
