Hair vitamins are still somewhat of a controversial topic in the beauty community, as people are still not sure if they work or not. This can be attributed to the fact that, as with all supplements and healthy foods, it takes a bit of time to notice a change that is not immediate.
When we use styling products or makeup we can see the results right away, whereas, with hair vitamins, we must be patient and wait for the magic to happen. So, let’s see what the hype is and do these vitamins work or not!
What Are Hair Vitamins?
Simply put, hair vitamins are just what the name says – vitamins. There are no special vitamins made exclusively for hair; they are good for our bodies in general. However, there are some that work wonders for the luscious locks we all pine after.
What Are in Hair Vitamins?
Depending on the hair vitamin, some may include the following vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids:
Vitamin A is often called the hair growth vitamin. It promotes hair growth and oil control, however, having too much of a good thing can be bad, so be careful with it, as the vitamin A overdose can cause hair loss!
Another one is biotin, a B-vitamin. Biotin is often used in hair-loss treatments; however, it is still unclear if it has any effect on hair growth.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant which promotes the production of collagen, which, as we know, if a vital part of our hair.
Iron and zinc are essential for healthy and glowing hair, and they help with oil control, and protein is an absolute must for voluminous and robust hair. Since hair is built out of proteins, some supplements that contain amino acids can be good, but in the end, you get most of your protein through your diet either way.
Omega-3 fats can help with greasy hair, and they can be found in walnuts, fish, seafood, and seeds. Vitamin D helps with the creation of new hair follicles, and it is an essential vitamin found in eggs, red meat, oily fish, and good old sunshine.
What You Need to Know About Some Popular Hair Vitamins
A trendy hair vitamin option is SugarBearHair, and their dominant ingredient is biotin. SugarBearHair vitamins contain 5000 micrograms of biotin, which is 167 times more than your daily requirement.
Viviscal Professional pills contain 100 micrograms of biotin, 60mg of calcium (daily requirement for women 19-50 is 1000mg), and 20mg of vitamin C (daily allowance for women 19+ is 65mg), as well as AminoMar Marine Complex, which contains Shark Cartilage and Oyster Extract powder, both of which have been proven to be entirely ineffective for human health.
Wild Nutrition Food Grown Skin Hair & Nails daily dose of vitamins contains 20mg of Vitamin E, and the recommended daily allowance is 15mg. Be careful with vitamin E, as taking too much of it can increase the risk of bleeding.
Some of these hair supplements contain Saw Palmetto, an exciting new ingredient extracted from a berry used by Native Americans for hundreds of years. However, the effects of Saw Palmetto on hair growth have not been proven by any scientific study, so tread carefully when thinking about introducing it to your daily supplement routine.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not take any hair vitamins that contain Saw Palmetto, as it can be harmful. Also, it can thin out your blood, and if you are to have surgery soon, the recommendation is that you stop taking any supplements with Saw Palmetto at least one month before it.
Should You Take Hair Vitamins?
Your safest bet when it comes to hair vitamins is straightforward – a good, healthy diet and regular sleep schedule will be your best friends. You should also work on stress management and an exercise routine, which does not have to be strenuous or hard, some light walking is enough.
Most of the vitamins that are good for your hair you can get through food, mostly fruit, and vegetables. Taking an expensive supplement does not guarantee better and shinier hair.
It also does not ensure that your hair will miraculously grow 10 centimeters in one month. All it can do is replenish the vitamins you are low on, and give you “expensive pee” with all the other ones you already have.
Just taking more vitamins than your body can handle will not help make hair stronger or healthier. Taking more than what your daily allowance is will end up in your urine, because the body cannot process excess vitamins, and will get rid of them.
