Are Hair Vitamins Really Doing Anything For Your Hair?

They claim to make your hair grow faster, thicker, and healthier...

Posted on

4 March 2021

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But can those hair vitamins make any difference at all?

You've seen them all across Instagram for years: those colourful, popular gummies or pills that claim to transform your hair into long and luscious locks.

Artists and influencers swear by them, but as with any trend, we have a lot of questions. So, if you're considering getting your hands on these hair supplements in Dubai for the magic they promise, we recommend reading the science behind them first...

What are hair vitamins or hair supplements?

If you're experiencing hair loss or thinning hair, there are vitamins and supplements that can support healthy hair growth.

Hair vitamins are typically a cocktail of keratin, biotin, hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, or other hair-food ingredients.

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On their own, these ingredients can actually help your hair grow back stronger and longer — through consistent intake.

What can these ingredients do?

We've made a list of some of the most common ingredients you'll find in hair vitamins, and how each one may improve overall hair quality, including thickness and shine.

1.) Biotin

Biotin (A.K.A vitamin B7) stimulates keratin production in hair and can increase the rate of follicle growth. This is especially helpful if you're experiencing hair loss and hope to prevent it.

You can actually consume biotin naturally by eating bananas, egg yolks, and nuts.

2.) Folic acid

Folic acid is another ingredient you may spot in hair supplements. These are naturally found inside your skin tissues, nails, and hair. Consuming folic acid may assist in hair growth, prevent premature greying, and increase your hair volume and shine.

Plus, folic acid is known for keeping our red blood cells healthy.

3.) Keratin

You've heard of keratin treatments at the salon, but how about keratin in your vitamins?

Theoretically, when your hair absorbs keratin, it will smooth down your hair strands and make curly or frizzy hair straighter and smoother in appearance.

4.) Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring gel-like substance in our bodies. Its smoothing properties are well-loved by the beauty industry for leaving both the skin and hair soft and clear.

5.) Vitamin D

When there isn't enough vitamin D in our bodies, new hair growth can be affected. Vitamin D can help stimulate hair follicles to grow, often making vitamin D deficiency and alopecia as one of the most common causes of thinning hair or hair loss in women.

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6.) Zinc

Zinc deficiency is another common symptom of hair loss, as zinc works to ensure that the oil glands around our hair follicles work properly.

Are hair vitamins worth it?

American dermatologist Dr. Melissa Piliang from Cleveland Clinic recommends them for anyone who wishes to fill the health gaps in their diet, as these hair multivitamins could help boost hair health.

“We tend to restrict carbohydrates or fats for weight loss or replace them with juices, but vitamins contain important nutrients like biotin, zinc, and B-complex that help to enhance the health of our hair," Dr. Piliang told The Huffington Post.

Of course, the only way to find out if hair vitamins will work for you is if you try them out yourself, but we recommend checking with your physician in Dubai first to avoid any unwanted side effects.