Can Remedies & Supplements Help Hair Loss?

Hair can be a big part of our appearance. For many people, it’s a way to express their style and personality. Because of this, suffering hair loss can have an effect on self-esteem and confidence. It’s important to understand why this can happen, and what you can do to help treat it.

Our general health, diet and mental health can all impact hair growth, so it’s definitely worth finding out if there are any dietary and lifestyle changes you can make to improve your head of hair. Vitamins, supplements, and hair care may help. However, there’s a lot of information about hair loss to sift through. Let’s deep dive into what actually works and what doesn’t.

What vitamins are good for hair growth?

If hair loss is concerning you, it’s important to make sure you’re getting the nutrients you need from your diet. A balanced and varied diet should have all the vitamins and minerals you need to grow and maintain healthy hair. For example, some studies have found that a Mediterranean diet is linked to reduced hair loss. This is a diet that involves eating lots of vegetables and fresh herbs. Protein is also vital for hair growth. Protein-rich foods include eggs, nuts, beans, chicken and fish.

Eating specific foods won’t usually solve hair loss unless you’re lacking something already, but there’s research to suggest vitamins can make some changes. Specific vitamins and nutrients that can help with hair growth include:

Vitamin A

Studies suggest vitamin A can ‘increase the rate of hair growth’. It helps with the production of sebum, which moisturizes the scalp and keeps hair healthier. Foods rich in vitamin A include sweet potatoes, peppers and spinach. In fact, 30 grams of spinach can give you more than 50% of your recommended intake of vitamin A per day.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps with hair growth by increasing collagen production and iron absorption, and by protecting your hair from oxidants. Your body can’t make its own vitamin C, so it’s important to consume it regularly. Luckily, lots of foods have vitamin C in them, like most fruits and vegetables. Some examples of foods containing high vitamin C include kiwis, lemons, tomatoes and papayas.

Vitamin D

Studies have shown that a lack of vitamin D is linked to hair loss. It’s believed to play a role in hair production and most people don’t get enough of it. Foods that contain vitamin D include mushrooms, many types of fish and egg yolks. Lots of breakfast cereal, orange juice and milk are also fortified with vitamin D. You can get vitamin D with more sun exposure, but make sure to protect your skin.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is another antioxidant that keeps your cells healthy and promotes hair growth. Some good sources of vitamin E are spinach, avocados, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, brazil nuts, mangos, kiwis, cod, olives, and sunflower seeds. One study found that a group with hair loss experienced a 34.5% increase in hair growth when taking vitamin E supplements over a period of 8 months.

Iron

Research has shown iron deficiency can affect hair growth. Iron helps red blood cells provide oxygen around the body, which fuels your metabolism and helps hair growth. Iron deficiency is one of the main causes of hair loss, especially in women. Some foods high in iron include red meat, eggs, beans and lentils, dark leafy greens and dark chocolate. Combining iron sources with vitamin C could make it 67% easier for your body to absorb. If you have a glass of orange juice with your eggs for breakfast, you’re far more likely to see the benefits of iron.

Amino acids

Amino acids help form proteins and contribute to up to 20% of our body composition. They help to maintain hair density, strength and shine. There are nine amino acids that our bodies can’t make by itself, so we need to get them from our diet. Foods that contain all nine of these essential amino acids include meat, fish, eggs, soy and dairy products. You should eat a balanced and varied diet to make sure you’re getting enough of the essential amino acids.

Omega acids

Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are beneficial for the body, especially the brain and heart. They are anti-inflammatory and play a role in growing healthy hair. Foods high in Omega-3 include oily fish like mackerel, walnuts, flaxseeds and kidney beans. Omega-6 food sources include peanut butter, sesame seeds, and vegetable oils such as sunflower oils. It’s important to consume a balance of both. You can also get these omega acids by taking supplements to promote hair health.

Is zinc good for hair?

Zinc is crucial for repairing hair damage and promoting hair growth. It helps with the function of the oil glands around follicles. Studies show that hair loss can be affected by a zinc deficiency, so zinc supplements can improve this. Foods with high zinc levels include beef, spinach, wheat germ, lentils and pumpkin seeds.

Do hair vitamins work?

Hair vitamins are supplements which claim to improve hair strength and growth. Most healthcare professionals agree that hair vitamins won’t have a big effect on hair growth unless you have a serious nutritional deficiency.
There isn’t any clinical data that demonstrate hair vitamins help hair growth. In fact, some studies have found they can worsen the condition of your hair. If you think you might have a vitamin deficiency, it’s best to talk to your clinician. They might suggest running some tests and recommend treatments if necessary.

Are there any home remedies for hair growth?

There are lots of different factors that can influence hair growth. Some of these include home remedies that you can add into your daily hair care routine. These are sometimes overlooked in favor of supplements, but there are many hair regrowth tips that you can carry out easily at home to improve hair health. Natural remedies for hair growth include:

Apple cider vinegar

Some people claim that washing your scalp with apple cider vinegar can help promote hair growth. It can make your hair look shinier and it’s fine for you to use unless you have a sensitive scalp. However, apple cider vinegar is not a treatment for hair loss. You should talk to a medical professional if you want hair loss treatment.

Caffeine

There is some evidence to suggest that topical caffeine may help prevent the miniaturisation of hair follicles (when hair strands become thinner, weaker and shorter over time due to shrinking hair follicles) and therefore stimulate hair growth. However, further research into the area is needed.

Scalp massage

Scalp massages can help with stress and relaxation, but they are also beneficial for hair health and growth. A study found that daily scalp massages improve hair thickness after 24 weeks. They can help dilate blood vessels under the skin and increase blood flow to the scalp. This delivers nutrients to follicles faster and protects hair from breakage and damage.

Coconut oil

Lots of people say coconut oil helps their hair grow faster. There is no research to suggest coconut oil increases the rate of hair growth, but it is a great moisturiser. Coconuts contain lauric acid, a fatty acid often considered great for skin. While coconut oil won’t make your hair grow faster on its own, it can maintain hair health.

Hot castor oil

Some people find using castor oil to massage their roots helps their hair growth. While castor oil is rich in certain nutrients, there isn’t any research to suggest it is effective for hair growth yet.

Regular trims

Many hairdressers will recommend regular trims to help with hair growth. Trimming hair doesn’t affect the follicles that the hair grows from, but it does get rid of split ends. Split ends slowly work their way up the hair strand and eventually stunt hair growth. Trims can clear damage and prevent it from worsening. Over time, this keeps each hair strand healthy and free of breakage.

Avoid heat styling

Try not to use heat tools on a daily basis if you want to maintain your hair health. Heat damages the structure of your hair in order to curl or straighten it. Make sure to use a heat protectant when styling to keep your hair strong.

Pillowcases

Silk pillowcases can protect your hair by preventing frizz and breakage. They produce less friction than cotton pillowcases. As a result, they make hair less vulnerable to damage while sleeping.

Lifestyle changes to regenerate hair growth

When we make sure to look after our general health this in turn helps our hair. Making small lifestyle changes and being more conscious of our daily habits and routines can encourage hair growth.

Stop smoking

Smoking can negatively impact hair health. It restricts blood flow and nutrients that the scalp relies on to stay healthy. The toxins contained in smoke will also make hair, so stopping smoking can lead to stronger, healthier hair.

Reduce alcohol intake

Although there isn’t a direct link between hair loss and alcohol intake, heavy drinking can cause a loss of nutrients and hormone issues. This can affect the appearance and thickness of your hair.

Take care of your hair

It’s important to look at the products you’re using on your hair and find out if they’re suitable for your hair type. Many products include harsh ingredients that could damage your hair.

What should I do about my hair loss?

If you’re worried about hair loss and thinning, make sure you’re living a healthy lifestyle. Eat a balanced diet, limit stress, and take care of your hair. This won’t always stop hair loss. What you do next is up to you. There are a range of treatment options for hair loss. Some people grow to accept their hair loss, while others consider surgical treatments or medication.

What about prescription hair loss medication?

If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, medical treatments offer the most effective way to slow hair loss and promote regrowth, especially for male pattern baldness. The two primary FDA-approved treatments in the US are:

Finasteride (Propecia): A once-daily pill that works by blocking DHT, the hormone responsible for shrinking hair follicles.
Minoxidil (Rogaine): A topical foam or solution you apply directly to your scalp. It helps to stimulate hair follicles and increase blood flow.

A doctor can help determine if these treatments are right for you and create a plan to address your specific type of hair loss.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.