Healthy hair is a source of pride. Hair loss, brittleness, or early greying can be symptoms of scalp disorders or physiological and pathological changes in the body, including aging, hormonal changes, and nutritional deficiencies.  Regardless of the cause, poor hair health can affect our self-esteem.  Hair vitamins, along with other treatments, may help. No vitamin specifically targets hair, but some vitamins and minerals are better than others.


Overall Grade: B+

Overall, different brands have researched individual causes for hair loss and created formulas that cover a wide range of possibilities.  If however, you can identify the source of your hair loss, you may be able to skip to individual ingredients listed in this article (below).


Vitafusion Gorgeous Hair, Skin & Nails Multivitamin, 100 gummies
Contains NO high-fructose corn syrup, NO gluten and NO synthetic (FD&C) dyes
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Nature's Bounty Optimal Solutions Extra Strength, 150 softgels
Contains biotin, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients consistently found in healthy hair, skin and nails.
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Hairfinity Hair Vitamins, 60 Veggie Capsules
Scientifically Formulated with Biotin, Amino Acids, and a Vitamin Supplement That Helps Support Hair Growth
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Safety & Drawbacks of Hair Vitamins: A

Hair supplements containing vitamins and minerals are safe with few side effects.  Toxicity risk is close to nil since most hair vitamins contain only small amounts of these vitamins and minerals. However, prolonged use of these vitamins and minerals (for example, many years) without existing mineral deficiency may cause harm. Studies show excessive zinc, selenium, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E may negatively affect hair health.


Composition

Vitamin A

Researchers view Vitamin A as crucial for immune function and cellular growth, affecting skin, scalp, and hair health. Studies show that Vitamin A deficiency may result in poor hair health. However, as a fat-soluble vitamin, Vitamin A should not be abused - its toxicity at higher dosages is known to be harmful.

Vitamin B

Vitamin B is a group of eight sub vitamins, all water-soluble, vital for cellular metabolism, and limited in the body's ability to store. Therefore, humans can easily become deficient in one or more of these eight vitamins.  We recommend taking them all together as a Vitamin B-complex. Some of these eight vitamins are particularly good for hair health:

  • Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) aids cellular activities, where deficiency causes hair loss and other health issues, including migraine, anemia, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and oxidative stress. More on B2
  • Vitamin B7 (biotin or vitamin H) helps metabolic pathways, its deficiency causing brittle hair, hair loss, nail, and skin issues, particularly in women.  One study found that almost 38% of women reporting hair loss were biotin deficient. Not surprising, biotin is one of the most commonly recommended hair vitamins, orally and topically. More on Biotin
  • Vitamin B12 is essential for cellular metabolism, DNA synthesis, nerve health, skin, nails, and hair.  B12 deficiency can cause skin (cutaneous) abnormalities, anemia, poor health, and hair loss. One study of the Indian population demonstrated that B12 deficiency might be associated with early hair graying. More on B12
  • Folate deficiency is associated with health issues, especially birth defects (congenital abnormalities) like neural tube defects. Studies show folate is suitable for skin and hair health. More on folate

Vitamin C

Regular Vitamin C intake optimizes our health.  However, we are easily susceptible to Vitamin C deficiency, causing adverse dermatological effects among other problems.  Vitamin C's role in managing hair loss is unclear, but it does seem to stimulate hair growth. More on Vitamin C

Vitamin D

An essential vitamin for hair health, Vitamin D helps regulate the human hair cycle.  Studies confirm Vitamin D deficiency could increase hair loss. On the contrary, increased Vitamin D intake or sun exposure can improve hair health. More on Vitamin D

Vitamin E

Vitamin E can fight high oxidative stress and inflammation, helping those with hair loss caused by autoimmune disorders like alopecia areata. Studies link high oxidative stress to poor hair health. More on Vitamin E

Other Micronutrients for Hair Health

Many manufacturers add tiny amounts of minerals to hair health formulations. For example, iron deficiency frequently leads to anemia, thin and weak hair, and hair loss. Iron deficiency is common, particularly in females. Zinc is another mineral in hair nutritional supplements, although deficiency is less common. Selenium is a mineral that aids protein production, its shortage leading to hair loss. In one study, selenium reduced hair loss in patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer treatment.


Hair formulations are a mixture of many familiar vitamins listed above.  Consult brand labels as recommended dosages will vary across products.


Common Questions:

Q. How do hair vitamins work?

A. At present, there is still poor understanding of how many vitamins affect hair health. However, researchers have observed improvements in two major ways. Firstly, they help scalp health, improving moisture level and reactivating glands. Secondly, most of these vitamins contain biotin, which boosts keratin production.


Q. Can I combine hair vitamins with medicated shampoo for hair loss?

A. Yes, both products can work together. Vitamins improve scalp health from the inside, and medicated shampoos strengthen hair topically from the outside.


Q. Can I use hair vitamins for brittle nails?

A. Yes, hair vitamins are also suitable for nails. Nails, similar to hair, require adequate keratin production.


Q. Can I safely combine hair vitamins with multivitamins?

A. Generally, it is safe and reasonable to combine multivitamins with hair vitamins, as ingredients differ. Hair vitamins tend to be rich in biotin and other rare nutrients whereas multivitamins are more mainstream and rarely contain biotin in large amounts.


Q. Are hair vitamins good for men?

A. Hair vitamins are equally suitable for men and women. However, sometimes these vitamins are less effective in men, the most common reason being male pattern baldness, a genetic disease. Vitamins are usually no match for male pattern baldness.


Q. Does taking biotin cause acne?

A. Although many individuals claim that biotin-containing vitamins cause acne, there is no peer reviewed evidence backing up this assertion. Thus, we confidently say that biotin does not cause acne.


Q. Do hair supplements cause yeast infections?

A. No. A yeast or fungal infection, however, is a major cause of hair loss. In fact, dandruff is a kind of fungal infection. This means that many people taking hair vitamins may have a pre-existing yeast infection, which they wrongly attribute later to hair vitamins.


Q. How long do I need to use hair vitamins to see results?

A. Reviews and research show that hair vitamins must be used for quite a long time to see benefits. Many people experience some difference in 4 to 8 weeks.


Q: Are all hair vitamins supplements the same?

A: No. Read the label carefully to see if other surprise ingredients have been added. For those with dietary restrictions, review the ingredients to see if they conflict with a vegan, celiac, or other diet. Dosages vary, so note the milligram (mg) count per capsule. Beware of unsubstantiated claims and research the manufacturer.


Q: Where do I find the best brand?

A: We recommend our favorite brands based on the quality, reputation, and credibility of the maker.


Research & References

Almohanna, H. M., Ahmed, A. A., Tsatalis, J. P., & Tosti, A. (2019). The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review. Dermatology and Therapy, 9(1), 51–70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-018-0278-6

Amor, K. T., Rashid, R. M., & Mirmirani, P. (2010). Does D matter? The role of vitamin D in hair disorders and hair follicle cycling. Dermatology Online Journal, 16(2). https://escholarship.org/uc/item/8s34p6b7

Chakrabarty, S., Krishnappa, P. G., Gowda, D. G., & Hiremath, J. (2016). Factors Associated with Premature Hair Graying in a Young Indian Population. International Journal of Trichology, 8(1), 11–14. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-7753.179384

De Koning, E. B. G., Passchier, J., & Dekker, E. W. (1990). Psychological Problems with Hair Loss in General Practice and the Treatment Policies of General Practitioners. Psychological Reports, 67(3), 775–778. https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.1990.67.3.775

DiBaise, M., & Tarleton, S. M. (2019). Hair, Nails, and Skin: Differentiating Cutaneous Manifestations of Micronutrient Deficiency. Nutrition in Clinical Practice, 34(4), 490–503. https://doi.org/10.1002/ncp.10321

Goldberg, L. J., & Lenzy, Y. (2010). Nutrition and hair. Clinics in Dermatology, 28(4), 412–419. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2010.03.038

Guo, E. L., & Katta, R. (2017). Diet and hair loss: Effects of nutrient deficiency and supplement use. Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, 7(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.5826/dpc.0701a01

Hillmann, K., & Blume-Peytavi, U. (2009). Diagnosis of hair disorders. 28(1), 33–38. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19341940/

Institute of Medicine (US) Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes and its Panel on Folate, Other B Vitamins, and Choline. (1998). Dietary Reference Intakes for Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline. National Academies Press (US). http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK114310/

Lipner, S. R. (2018). Rethinking biotin therapy for hair, nail, and skin disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 78(6), 1236–1238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2018.02.018

Naziroglu, M., & Kokcam, I. (2000). Antioxidants and lipid peroxidation status in the blood of patients with alopecia. Cell Biochemistry and Function, 18(3), 169–173. https://doi.org/10.1002/1099-0844(200009)18:3<169::AID-CBF870>3.0.CO;2-T

Patel, D. P., Swink, S. M., & Castelo-Soccio, L. (2017). A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss. Skin Appendage Disorders, 3(3), 166–169. https://doi.org/10.1159/000462981

Petru, E., Petru, C., & Benedicic, C. (2005). Re: “Selenium as an element in the treatment of ovarian cancer in women receiving chemotherapy.” Gynecologic Oncology, 96(2), 559; author reply 559-560. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygyno.2004.09.060

Ramadan, R., Tawdy, A., Abdel Hay, R., Rashed, L., & Tawfik, D. (2013). The antioxidant role of paraoxonase 1 and vitamin E in three autoimmune diseases. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 26(1), 2–7. https://doi.org/10.1159/000342124

Rasheed, H., Mahgoub, D., Hegazy, R., El-Komy, M., Hay, R. A., Hamid, M. A., & Hamdy, E. (2013). Serum Ferritin and Vitamin D in Female Hair Loss: Do They Play a Role? Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 26(2), 101–107. https://doi.org/10.1159/000346698

Rushton, D. H. (2002). Nutritional factors and hair loss. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 27(5), 396–404. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2230.2002.01076.x

Se, J., & Jh, S. (2015). Hair regeneration using adipose-derived stem cells. Histology and Histopathology, 31(3), 249–256. https://doi.org/10.14670/hh-11-686

Sinclair, R. D. (2007). Healthy Hair: What Is it? Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings, 12(2), 2–5. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jidsymp.5650046

Thakur, K., Tomar, S. K., Singh, A. K., Mandal, S., & Arora, S. (2017). Riboflavin and health: A review of recent human research. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 57(17), 3650–3660. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2016.1145104

Trüeb, R. M. (2016). Serum Biotin Levels in Women Complaining of Hair Loss. International Journal of Trichology, 8(2), 73–77. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-7753.188040

Xie, Z., Komuves, L., Yu, Q.-C., Elalieh, H., Ng, D. C., Leary, C., Chang, S., Crumrine, D., Bikle, D. D., Yoshizawa, T., & Kato, S. (2002). Lack of the Vitamin D Receptor is Associated with Reduced Epidermal Differentiation and Hair Follicle Growth. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 118(1), 11–16. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-1747.2002.01644.x