Blog - Do Hair Vitamins Work?
April 13, 2018 by Swirly Curly
If you’re trying to grow out your hair, you’re probably thinking about buying some hair vitamins.
Or maybe you’ve already tried some and they didn’t seem to make much of a difference. At this point, you might be wondering… do hair vitamins even work, or are they a big waste of money?
In this post, you’ll find out all about hair vitamins, so you can decide whether you want to add them to your regimen. You’ll also get lots of tips on what to look for in a good hair vitamin, so keep reading if you’re in the market to buy.
Can You Benefit from Using Hair Vitamins?
The answer is yes and no. There are many factors that come into play with hair growth. Your digestive system, your genetics, and age are some of the important determining factors.
When you eat, your body sends nutrients to organs like your liver and brain first. Then, your body sends leftover nutrients to make hair, skin, and nails. It always chooses vital organs before hair growth. The priority is to keep you alive, right?
Hair grows at an average of ¼ of an inch per month. If you’re experiencing thinning or balding, it’s important to examine why your hair isn’t growing at the average rate. In fact, it’s often hair growth that first signals a woman to check in with the doctor.
Here are some contributing factors to hair loss or slowed growth:
- Genetics. If your mother and father both experienced thinning hair or baldness, chances are that you might be next. This type of hair loss is known as female pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia. This type of alopecia may be reversible, but it is crucial to catch the hair loss at an early stage, before the follicles completely erode.
- Diet. Are you eating processed junk or are you eating healthy whole foods? If your body is lacking nutrition, your hair will show it first. Conditions like anemia and hyperthyroidism can greatly affect hair growth. A medical exam will determine whether you are deficient in certain areas, so you can figure out where to improve.
- Age. If you’re approaching age 45 or older, you may be experiencing thinning. Cells don’t produce hair as quickly as they did when you were younger. Chemical burns from relaxers and follicle abuse from tight hair extensions will really start to show at this point.
- Digestive System. Are you absorbing food well? Over time, your digestive system can slow, and absorb nutrients less. One theory is that the intestinal lining develops a coating of mucoid plaque and prevents absorption of key vitamins and minerals. Try doing a colon cleanse to clear out your intestines. You might find that your energy increases and your hair grows faster from cleansing out toxins.
- Water Intake. Are you drinking enough water? Water helps the body flush toxins and helps to hydrate your roots for healthier hair.
- Exercise. Do you have a sedentary lifestyle or are you active? Activity helps to circulate the blood cells and bring nutrients to the scalp. Inverted yoga positions can be amazing for hair growth.
Above all, try to get most of your nutrients from whole food sources. If you’re eating well, and you’ve consulted with a doctor, look to hair vitamins to supplement the nutrients you might be missing. Below, you’ll find the single most important component of a hair vitamin.
Does Your Hair Vitamin Contain Biotin?
The contents of hair vitamins can vary dramatically when compared, but one of the most important is vitamin B7, also known as biotin.
Biotin is one of the most helpful vitamins for growing hair. It can help with the length of your mane, increasing the volume of your hair, improving scalp health, and decreasing the number of strands you shed.
This hair vitamin helps the synthesis of protein in the body. Hair is mostly made up of keratin, a protein. Consuming biotin will help your cells push more keratin from the scalp, resulting in longer hair.
Most people get enough biotin in everyday foods they eat, and deficiencies of this vitamin are rare. However, you can make stronger and healthier hair by consuming more biotin than you would in an average day.
Biotin can be found in pill, liquid, and gummy form. If you’re looking to save money on expensive hair vitamins, try purchasing a bottle of biotin only.
How Much Biotin Should You Take for Faster Hair Growth?
Wondering how much biotin to take for growing longer and thicker hair?
Many manufacturers sell biotin at a high dosage of 10,000 mcg. You may be thinking about buying this high dosage to make your hair grow faster, but it might be too much for your body to process.
A major complaint about biotin is that it can make the skin break out in acne, doing the exact opposite of what you’d hoped.
Try taking a lower dose of biotin if you’re experiencing skin problems. 2500 mcg or 5000 mcg is best for keeping acne flareups under control while still benefiting from this beauty vitamin.
Also, make sure you drink a lot of water when you take biotin. Eight glasses or more per day is adequate and be sure you take the pill with a full cup of H20.
Be cautious of how many other vitamins you consume in supplement form. Are you taking a multivitamin along with your hair, skin, and nails vitamin? Make sure you’re not overdoing it. Doubling up on ingredients like vitamin A can be harmful and toxic.
Sometimes it is helpful to stick with biotin only, instead of purchasing one of the more expensive bottles that have an array of ingredients.
Taking hair vitamins can be a good idea, but always consult with your doctor about any hair growth issues beforehand. A doctor will be able to test and make sure you don’t have any medical conditions that can cause dull hair or thinning.
Now, it’s your turn to discuss. Have you tried using vitamins for hair growth, and if so, what were the results?