Do Hair Growth Supplements Really Work? Here's What Studies Say

A new supplement comes along every couple of months that will make your hair thicker, grow faster, and shed less. They're stacked on the shelves. However, most people who use them either don't notice any difference or aren't sure if the supplement made a difference. So, the question is: are hair growth supplements effective or is it all marketing?

The answer is not as straightforward as yes or no. Let's take a look at the research.

What Hair Actually Needs to Grow

Growth of hair is not superficial. Each strand originates from a follicle located under your scalp, and the nutrients, hormones and oxygen that are in your bloodstream are what the follicles need to grow. If any of these are deficient, growth slows, the hair shaft becomes weaker or the follicle goes into resting phase prematurely.

That's why nutrition is important. The cells of the follicles are among the most active metabolically active cells in the body. They reproduce quickly, using a lot of energy and raw material. The first to feel the lack of certain vitamins and minerals in the diet is the follicle.

The Nutrients with Real Research to Back Them Up

Not all supplements ingredients are studied the same. Some are actually clinically supported, others are added because they sound credible or are cheap to add.

Those that stand up fairly well to examination are:

• Biotin (Vitamin B7) — is a well-known ingredient that helps maintain the structure of keratin, which is the protein of which hair is composed. Deficiency is associated with hair loss, and supplementation in deficient people has been shown to be beneficial.
• Iron — one of the most common nutritional deficiencies, especially in women. Low iron levels can cause a lack of oxygen to the hair follicle and has been documented as a cause of diffuse hair loss.
• Zinc — involved in the repair of follicles and regulation of oil glands around the follicles. Zinc deficiency is a common problem in individuals suffering from alopecia areata.
• Vitamin D — new studies indicate that Vitamin D receptors are found in hair follicles, and that low levels of Vitamin D are linked to some forms of hair loss.

Amino acids such as L-cysteine (building blocks of keratin); there is some evidence, but not much, that these amino acids are important for the quality of the hair shaft.

What is important is that the majority of the positive research is conducted on individuals who were already lacking. It is rare for dramatic results to be seen from adding nutrients that are already present in sufficient amounts.

Why supplements alone do not always deliver results

This is where most people get stuck. They purchase a supplement, take it for three months and feel nothing. This is because there are a couple reasons.

The first is that hair grows slowly, about 1 to 1.5 cm per month. It can take 3-6 months for changes in the hair cycle to be seen. Many people quit before they even get a chance to see the results.

Second, no supplement can reverse the effects of hair loss caused by hormones, such as dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on genetically susceptible follicles. Nutritional support can help to create better conditions for the follicle, but it cannot replace a hormonal signal that is actively miniaturizing the follicle.

Thirdly, you are just taking a chance if you don't know what is causing your hair loss. Iron is needed by a person with iron-deficiency anemia who is losing hair. If you are experiencing hair loss because of high levels of DHT, you will require a different strategy altogether. A generic supplement for an incorrect reason is like wearing a cast on a leg that isn't broken.

What a Root Cause Approach Looks Like

This is where more rational thinking about hair health is different from the standard pitch of the supplement industry. The supplements, such as Hair Vitamin With Biotin — Traya's product with Bhringraj — are primarily intended to complement the entire system, rather than being a cure-all. The principle is that the health of the hair should be treated at the source: hormonal balance, gut health, stress response and nutritional deficiencies all play a role.

This is important because most people think in isolation, which doesn't reflect the reality of what is going on in the body when hair loss begins.

How to take supplements more wisely

Before you decide to take a supplement, there are a couple of things you should do:

• Have basic blood tests performed (iron, ferritin, Vitamin D, B12, thyroid)
• Determine your hair loss pattern — diffuse thinning is different from a receding hairline or patchy thinning.
• Wait at least 4-6 months before making conclusions about any supplement

Avoid taking multiple supplements at once unless advised to do so, as some supplements compete for absorption.

Final Thoughts

Hair growth supplements are not magic pills or a waste of money. If there is a real nutritional deficiency, targeted supplementation can make a difference for the individual. For the rest, they work best when used in conjunction with a sincere awareness of the real cause of the issue. The discussion about hair loss typically begins not in the supplement section, but at the source — literally.

NOTE- This article is written by Brand Desk