Hair growth vitamin FAQ’s

What are the common causes of hair loss?

Dr. Naomi Newman-Beinart PhD, acknowledges there are several contributing factors to hair loss. She highlights: “Stress, illness, rapid weight loss, iron deficiency and thyroid problems can all trigger increased shedding, while hormonal changes – including those around perimenopause and menopause – can also affect our hair. Then there are genetic forms of hair thinning, such as female-pattern hair loss.”

The Nutritional Therapist also spotlights Telogen Effluvium, which is “one of the most common forms of temporary shedding across the scalp.” This type of hair loss can happen a few months after a physical or emotional stressor, such as “an illness or surgery to significant weight loss or a particularly stressful period”, adds Dr. Naomi.

The expert also acknowledges that hormonal changes, including perimenopause, menopause, as well as nutrient deficiency and thyroid problems can impact hair growth.

Do vitamins actually help your hair grow faster?

Short answer? They can, depending on the cause of your hair loss. Let us explain. “Vitamins and supplements can help with hair growth,” says Steve Daveluy, MD. Of course, this doesn’t mean hair growth is guaranteed, but “some help by making sure our hair follicles have all the nutrients they need to carry out the task of building and growing our hairs,” he says. “Others help by promoting the hair growth activities, similar to the way a medication may work.”

Elsewhere, others include ingredients that directly counteract certain triggers for hair loss, like hormonal imbalances, says Danilo Del Campo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. For example, saw palmetto may target dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone associated with hair loss, he says.

A lot of different vitamins – including B vitamins, vitamin D, and vitamin E – can improve hair retention and prevent shedding, according to Michele Green, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist. That said, in developed countries, it’s pretty rare to have hair loss caused by a vitamin deficiency, since you can often get all you need through a well-balanced diet. The exception is people on strict diets, like those who are vegan, she says.

That’s where the nuances come in. How much a vitamin or supplement helps with fast hair growth depends strongly on the underlying cause of your hair loss, Dr. Green says. To that end, Dr. Daveluy recommends understanding your root causes of hair loss before turning to a vitamin or supplement. That way, you can take a targeted approach.

For people with actual vitamin deficiencies, taking supplements can yield strong results. But for those without nutritional deficiencies, or whose hair loss is due to non-nutrition related factors like genetics (or a separate medical condition), the benefits of hair growth vitamins and supplements “might be more modest,” Dr Del Campo says.

Also worth noting: while vitamins and supplements can help bolster your strands, they often are not effective enough on their own to fully grow and retain hair, Dr Green says. Some people, she explains, may need to add in other hair care treatment options alongside an over-the-counter vitamin or supplement to really decrease hair follicle miniaturisation and elevate hair growth and retention. This is where topical or oral medications, like Propecia and Minoxidil, may come into play. Dr Green suggests consulting with a board-certified dermatologist to get personalised recommendations.

Which vitamin deficiency causes hair loss?

Hair is protein, and in order to make protein, your body needs all the amino acids as well as vitamins, which are important coenzymes in protein synthesis, says Joyce Davis, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist.

Specifically, vitamin D helps stabilise the hair follicle, so not having enough of it can impact hair health. Vitamin D deficiency is really common, so for people worried about their hair health, Dr Davis recommends a vitamin D3 supplement as “pretty much essential.”

Iron deficiency and B12 deficiency can also impact your hair, Dr Davis adds, and so can too low levels of zinc, adds Dr Del Campo. While Dr. Naomi pinpoints low ferritin, which she describes as “our body’s iron stores”. On the flip side, having too much vitamin A as well as excess amounts of the mineral selenium can cause hair loss as well, according to Dr. Del Campo.

What are the best vitamins to support healthy hair growth?

The experts share their recommendations for the best supplements to support healthy hair growth, though they advise every individual to get their vitamin levels checked by a medical professional before supplementing.

Iron: “If your iron or ferritin is low, correcting it supports the follicle, which is highly sensitive to iron status”, shares Dr. Aamna Adel. While Artah’s founder, Rhian Stephenson, adds: “Low iron stores can contribute to increased hair loss, and correcting a deficiency can help restore normal growth. That being said, iron shouldn’t be supplemented at high doses unless you need it. Always get a test first.”Vitamin D: “Supports the hair cycle and is worth correcting if you’re deficient, which many people are”, explains Dr. Adel. Rhian adds: “Vitamin D is involved in hair-follicle cycling, and low levels have been associated with various types of hair loss. Correcting a deficiency is important (for far more than just hair), but extra vitamin D hasn’t been shown to boost hair growth if levels are already optimal.”Zinc: “Zinc supports protein synthesis and normal hair-follicle function, so zinc deficiency can cause thinning and shedding”, says Rhian.B vitamins: B vitamins “support general hair health”, says Dr. Adel. While Rhian emphasises the importance of B12 and folate as they “support cell division and DNA synthesis, which are important for hair follicles.”Biotin: Dr. Adel advises people to “temper expectations” on biotin because “true deficiency is rare”. She adds: “Biotin is largely unnecessary for most people, and it can interfere with lab tests, including thyroid and some heart tests, causing real diagnostic confusion.”Protein: While a protein-rich diet is key, those lacking may need to supplement this vitamin. Artah’s founder explains: “Hair is primarily made from the protein keratin, so inadequate protein and energy intake can contribute to excess hair shedding.”

How to work out what vitamins and supplements you might need

Dr. Naomi stresses that “there isn’t one magic hair-growth vitamin” but there are specific vitamins that can support healthy hair growth.

In terms of what supplements to take, Anabel Kingsley highlights it “varies from person-to-person.” “Everyone’s diet is slightly different, as are health and gut absorption factors,” she adds. But we’ve rounded up some of the most common requirements below…

If you’re menstruating

“People who menstruate are likely to benefit from a supplement containing iron, vitamin C (which helps with iron absorption), L-lysine (which helps the body to store iron) and Vitamin B12,” says the Consultant Trichologist at Philip Kingsley.

If your experience excessive hair shedding

“Iron and ferritin (stored iron) deficiency are one of the most common causes of excessive daily hair shedding in women,” says Anabel.

If you’re looking for something more general

“Vitamin D3 is another supplement ingredient everyone, including men, should look out for as Vitamin D deficiency is incredibly common, and it can impact hair growth cycling; every hair follicle has a Vitamin D receptor,” explains Anabel. However if you’re looking for one catch-all supplement, “for most people a general multi-vitamin is fine,” says Kate.

If your eat an unbalanced diet

According to Dr. Naomi, protein is also a strong starting point. She says, “Hair is predominantly made from the protein keratin, so consistently eating too little protein isn’t going to provide ideal conditions for healthy hair growth.” Though supplementation is only effective if your diet is inadequate and you are not getting those nutrients from your meals.

If you’re in your 30s and up

Dr. Naomi recommends collagen peptides to support healthy hair, as well as skin elasticity. She says: “Collagen provides amino acids, including glycine and proline, which the body can use as building blocks for proteins and connective tissues. There is some promising research suggesting that supplementation with specific collagen peptides may support aspects of hair health.”

If you’re not ferritin or D3 deficient

Rhian recommends ARTAH’s Skin Clinic, which is “a mixture of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and specialised nutrients like CoQ10, Hyaluronic Acid, Grapeseed Extract,” if there isn’t a ferritin or D3 deficiency.

What to do before you take any vitamins or supplements

“Before taking supplements, it’s important to make sure you have a balanced diet, and if you’ve noticed hair loss or brittle hair, ask your GP, dermatologist, or trichologist to arrange a blood test to check for common nutritional deficiencies,” advises Kate Holden, consultant trichologist at Noughty Haircare. Dr. Aamna Adel echoes this sentiment, and adds: “The key message is to test rather than guess, because taking supplements you don’t need won’t help, and correcting a genuine deficiency can make a real difference.”

Also, make sure the combination of vitamins you take don’t counteract or interrupt each other. “Some vitamins and minerals have an impact on each other so it’s important to be aware of this if you are targeting a specific vitamin or mineral,” says Kate. “For example, vitamin C can help to increase iron absorption, whereas zinc can inhibit iron absorption. Fat soluble vitamins are best absorbed with a meal containing fat, too, so timing can be important,” she says. Always check the instructions that come with your supplements, do your research and if you’re in any doubt, consult your GP.

What are the best hair vitamins for thickness?

If thicker, fuller hair is the goal, UK Lash UKHair Advanced Hair Supplements or Viviscal Maximum Strength Hair Growth Supplement are great options. These supplements are packed with nutrients and hair-loving ingredients, and promise visible improvements in hair growth. With consistent use, most people start to see fuller, healthier-looking strands within a few months. For an extra boost, pair them with one of our go-to hair growth serums or scalp serums – your hair will thank you.

What are the best hair vitamins for shine?

If your hair’s been looking a bit flat or lacking shine lately, biotin is the ingredient you’ll want on your side. It helps boost keratin – the protein that keeps hair strong, smooth and glossy – and both UKLash Hair Vitamins and Champo Hair Gummies are packed with it. Alternatively, UK Lash UKHair Advanced Hair Supplements are a high-strength alternative.

The UKLash gummies are strawberry-flavoured (arguably a bit too tasty) and loaded with biotin, vitamin C and folic acid to help bring dull hair back to life. Chämpo’s version takes a more natural route, mixing biotin with Ayurvedic ingredients like fenugreek and pumpkin seed to strengthen strands and add a healthy sheen from the inside out. Think of them as your daily shortcut to that just-left-the-salon kind of shine.

What are the best forms of hair growth supplements?

Many question whether hybrid supplements, such as multivitamins, are as effective as specific vitamins, yet Dr. Naomi highlights that the answer is not so clear cut. She shares: “A well-formulated multivitamin can be useful for filling small nutritional gaps, particularly if someone’s diet is restricted, but it isn’t necessarily better for hair than taking an individual nutrient.”

Another popular question is whether liquid, sprays, tablet or powder supplements are best for hair growth? Again, Dr. Naomi reassures us that “what matters is the nutrient or ingredient, the dose, its formulation and bioavailability, whether you actually need it.

What are the side effects of hair growth vitamins?

Some reassuring news: typically, there aren’t any side effects of taking vitamins or supplements for hair growth, so long as you consume them as directed, Dr Green says.

This means following dosing instructions so that you don’t ingest too much of a certain vitamin, which can lead to toxicity. Like we mentioned, having extra vitamin A and selenium can spur hair loss (literally the opposite effect you’re going for), and downing high doses of vitamin E can increase your chances of issues like hemorrhagic strokes, according to Dr Del Campo.

Additionally, some supplements, like saw palmetto, may interact with certain medications and cause harmful outcomes, he adds. As mentioned, biotin (vitamin B7), which is involved in keratin production and widely advertised as a solution to hair loss, can interfere with some blood tests, including a thyroid test and one used to detect heart attacks, Dr Daveluy says. Experts are split on whether it’s actually effective in bolstering hair health. Dr Daveluy says if you do introduce a biotin supplement, be sure to tell all your health care providers.

When considering hair growth vitamins, Dr Del Campo urges people to first consult with a board-certified dermatologist and then to follow recommended dosages. It’s also important to do your own research to understand whether a product is safe and effective. “The best vitamins or supplements for hair growth will undergo clinical studies or market research to confirm whether they have been shown to increase hair growth,” Dr Green says.

How do you know if you’re overdoing supplements?

Dr. Naomi warns that some people may overdo supplements, and this can be counterproductive to your health goals. She shares: “Iron is a perfect example. I wouldn’t recommend taking a high-dose iron supplement simply because your hair is shedding. Too much iron can be harmful. Similarly, excessive intakes of vitamin A and selenium can actually cause hair loss. Biotin deserves a special mention too. True biotin deficiency is rare and there isn’t good evidence that taking large amounts improves hair growth in people who aren’t deficient. It’s also worth being aware that high-dose biotin can interfere with certain blood-test results.”

Artah’s founder, Rhian, echoes this sentiment. She adds: “I see a lot of people who take multiple different ‘complexes’ without double checking the dosages against another. For example, a complex for hair, immunity, and energy could all have overlapping nutrients, so it’s best to look for yourself and if you have questions, speak to either a nutritionist or the brand itself.” That said, Rhian believes that “a good quality, broad spectrum multivitamin and mineral supplement can do wonders for general hair health and growth if it has the right nutrients in the right forms”, though it “won’t address a ferritin deficiency, even if it has iron in it.”

Dr. Naomi also warns of “supplement stacking”. She explains: “You might take a multivitamin, then a hair supplement, then another beauty supplement and not realise you’re getting the same nutrients from all three.”

Ultimately, it is important for those battling with hair shedding or hair loss to seek a medical professional, undergo blood tests to assess any deficiencies, ands then determine the best supplements and dosage for your needs.