How Do Supplements Help Hair Growth? Here Are The Answers That An Expert Gave Us

You might think that taking hair supplements would lead to beautiful hair: you just have to pop a pill and sit back, and your hair will be glossy and thick, right? In reality, supplements are more complex. When they work, they take time to work, and they aren’t all the same. Because supplements aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, it’s hard to tell which brands use the best ingredients and which rely on cheap fillers that may sound impressive, but won’t target your hair follicles in any meaningful way. It is also important to note that supplement labels aren’t always accurate. 

Our expert explains what to look for in a hair supplement and its limitations. Does it really promote hair growth? 

Firstly, no single treatment works for everyone. For this reason, you should ask your dermatologist or board-certified specialist why your hair is shedding to determine what works for you. 

According to Dr. Yoram Harth, MDhair’s medical director, hair supplements should be tailored to the cause of hair loss. In women after 40 with postpartum or stress-related hair loss, you should take different supplements than women after 40 with postmenopausal or genetic hair loss. Micronutrients essential for hair regrowth can be provided to the first group through well-chosen supplements. Those in the second group need supplements that contain essential vitamins and minerals in addition to DHT blockers, which prevent dehrdotestoen from damaging their hair follicles, and plant-like ashwagandha, reishi, and maitake mushrooms, which can reduce inflammation and stress and promote hair regrowth”.

Hair Supplements: What Are the Limitations?

Supplements do not work like magic, and some put filler ingredients into their formulas to reduce costs. You can save money and temper your expectations by knowing the limitations of certain supplements. 

“Some overhyped hair supplements can cause more harm than good,” says Dr. Harth. For example, sugary gummy supplements with high biotin concentrations are a good example. Though biotin is a beneficial ingredient, there is evidence that its use alone has a significant effect on hair growth. It is known that most of these gummies contain high levels of sugar, which can adversely impact hair growth.

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What are the most effective ingredients in hair supplements?

“Vitamins and minerals are the best ingredients to look for in women who are pregnant, stressed, or lacking in nutrition,” Dr. Harth explains. A good addition in these cases is collagen peptide, preferably from wild fish. Supplements containing natural DHT-blockers along with vitamins and minerals are important for people with genetically related hair loss.”

What are some of the ingredients that are overhyped? 

Even though we hear about biotin’s benefits all the time, it is still among the most hyped hair growth products. Although biotin is an excellent ingredient, Dr. Harth says that it can also cause acne breakouts in very high quantities, as it has been shown to significantly affect hair regrowth when used alone.

The best ways to deal with common hair loss concerns 

Women often experience hair loss for a variety of reasons, including genetics, pregnancy, crash diets, wrong hair styling, autoimmune diseases, and hormonal imbalances, according to Dr. Harth. 

According to Dr. Harth, the best supplements to regrow hair target the root cause of hair loss. These ingredients may be used to stimulate hair growth for a number of different hair shedding reasons. 

Symptoms of female pattern androgenetic alopecia include: 

Dr. Harth says plant extracts can reduce the effects of male hormones, mainly dihydrotestosterone (DHT), on hair follicles that are related to genetic, hormonal, and aging hair loss. 

Here are some examples of those plants:

Plant extracts such as saw palmetto are believed to reduce excessive hair shedding and block the effect of male hormones on the hair follicles.

Ginseng: Plants-based serums containing Panax Ginseng Root may help promote hair growth. For optimal results, look for hair supplements containing ginseng.

Pygeum Bark Extract: Phosphosterols in Pygeum Bark Extract block the effects of DHT on hair follicles to enhance hair growth.

B vitamins in broccoli extract reduce stress, which contributes to hair loss, and antioxidants reduce free radical damage to the scalp.

Hair loss after childbirth: 

Supplements for Postpartum hair loss should replenish the vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients depleted during pregnancy, Dr. Harth says – and these supplements should also be safe for breastfeeding mothers.

Ingredients needed include:

Iron – Iron boosts circulation and carries oxygen to the roots of the hair, allowing it to grow faster and longer. Hair loss can result from an iron deficiency.

Vitamins C, D, E — It is essential that these vitamins are consumed in the right amounts to maintain a healthy scalp and regrowth of thicker, healthier hair.

Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid — Promote healthy hair growth by speeding up the regeneration and healing of hair follicles.

Iodine, Magnesium, Zinc, Selenium, Manganese, and Chromium — Minerals that are essential for a healthy scalp and thicker, healthier hair are zinc, zinc, zinc, and selenium.

Calcium — Helps prevent hair breakage, dry scalp, and brittle nails by strengthening the hair and nails.

Vitamin K2 — Enhances healthy hair growth by stimulating blood flow to the scalp.

The effects of stress on hair loss

The combination of vitamins, minerals, and adaptogens can help reduce hair loss of this type. A variety of natural adaptogens include Maitake and Reishi mushrooms, both of which are potent adaptogens, immunomodulators, and inhibitors of 5-reductase. These mushroom extracts promote scalp health and hair growth.

In order to be effective, hair supplements must target your hair loss concern and contain ingredients that suit your specific needs. Consult your doctor before starting any new supplement. Ensure that you get a thorough exam to determine the cause of your hair loss and be patient — quality supplements can take time to work.   

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