7 Best Vitamins for Hair Growth that Actually Work

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Whether you’re looking to add some volume and vitality back to your hair or you’ve been suffering from hair loss, it’s likely you’ve considered the best vitamins for hair growth. According to Dr. Hardik Doshi, lead surgeon in hair restoration at Ample, it’s important to first understand that hair loss can stem from many factors, including nutrition. The initial approach should involve addressing any deficiencies through a well-rounded diet packed with essential vitamins and minerals to support hair growth and prevent excessive shedding. “If considering supplements, consulting a healthcare professional is advisable to assess requirements, potential risks, and how they may interact with existing health conditions or medications,” he says. However, if all checks out and you’re looking for a new vitamin to add to your medicine cabinet, keep reading for some of our expert-approved recommendations.

Our Top PicksBest Overall: Nutrafol Hair Growth Supplements, $79Best Gummy: Vegamour Gro Biotin Gummies, $34Best for Digestion: Wellbel Clean Supplement for Hair, Skin, and Nails, $65Best With Biotin: Grande Cosmetics Vegan Collagen Hair Vitamin Gummies, $30Best With Probiotics: Love Wellness Healthy Hair Probiotics, $17Best for Stress-Related Hair Loss: Divi Hair Vitamins, $61Best for Hair Restoration: Viviscal Hair Growth Supplements, $32In This StoryWhat are hair growth vitamins/do they actually work?What vitamins/ingredients are good for thinning hair?Who should take these supplements & what is the best way to consume?Which vitamin deficiency may cause hair lossAre there any side effects to be aware of?Meet the ExpertsBest Overall: Nutrafol Hair Growth VitaminsWhy we like it: When discussing hair growth, Nutrafol almost always comes up in conversation as the brand is recommended by many of the leading dermatologists. “Nutrafol is plant-based and science-backed. It gives you the building blocks for hair growth but also affects other systems that affect hair growth and well-being,” says board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Jennifer Gordon. There are multiple formulations tailored for men, women, different age groups, and life experiences, like post-partum. The women’s formula, here, is clinically tested to deliver the necessary vitamins, minerals, and natural ingredients women age 18 to 44 keen to address hair thinning.How to Use It: Take four capsules once daily.When to Expect Results: Visible results in three to six monthsKey Ingredients: Saw palmetto, ashwagandha, organic maca rootBest Gummy: Vegamour Biotin SupplementVegamour Gro

Biotin Gummies

Why we like it: Vegamour’s shampoos, conditioners, and styling products aren’t just our favorites for promoting healthy hair; they also offer supplements in both gummy and powder forms. According to Dr. Gordon, these biotin gummies are “natural, vegan, and contain MCT oil, which is excellent for stress relief and antioxidant properties. They are easy to take (just once daily) and are designed to be clean.” Plus, they’re strawberry flavored for those who prefer a delicious gummy versus a pill or capsule.How to Use It: Take one gummy daily.When to Expect Results: Visible results in three to four monthsKey Ingredients: Biotin, folic acid, vitamins A, B-5, C, E , 6 and 12Best for Digestion: Wellbel Vegan Hair Growth SupplementWellbel

Clean Supplement for Hair, Skin, and Nails

Why we like it: According to functional nutrition and women’s hormone expert Alisa Vitti, Wellbel’s herbal blend incorporates herbs such as saw palmetto, which are particularly beneficial for women dealing with androgenic-related hair loss issues. However, she explains that what sets it apart is the inclusion of Betaine HCL, supporting protein absorption in individuals with low stomach acid. This condition, more common than many realize, serves as a root cause for various symptoms, including peeling nails, poor hair growth, anxiety, difficulty digesting meals containing animal protein, belching and bloating after meals, and an expanding list of food sensitivities. “If you suspect you have low stomach acid, Wellbel would be a good choice,” she says.How to Use It: Take three capsules once daily.When to Expect Results: Visible results within 90 daysKey Ingredients: Saw palmetto fruit extract, Stinging nettle leaf, PABA Betaine HCIBest With Biotin: Grande Cosmetics Vegan Collagen GummiesVegan Collagen Hair Vitamin Gummies

Why we like it: Not only are these vegan collagen gummies adorable pink hearts, but you’ll enjoy taking them because they’re simply delicious. They primarily consist of biotin (vitamin B7) and collagen, which, according to Dr. Doshi, “could enhance skin and hair health.” However, he doesn’t recommend taking more than the allotted amount per day. “While biotin contributes to the health of hair and nails, excessive intake may not provide advantages beyond meeting requirements.”How to Use It: Take two gummies daily, with or without food.When to Expect Results: 45 daysKey Ingredients: Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, ZincBest Probiotic: Love Wellness Healthy Hair ProbioticsWhy we like it: This supplement isn’t just packed with probiotics; it also includes Vitamins B12, B6, and the favorite of many: biotin. While further research is needed to fully understand the role of probiotics in combating hair loss, this probiotic formula contains AnaGain Nu, a clinically-tested protein meant to target underlying causes of hair loss, including hormones, environmental factors, stress-related hair loss, et etc.How to Use It: Take one capsule daily with or without food.When to Expect Results: 4-8 weeks of daily use.Key Ingredients: Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, Biotin.Best for Stress-Related Hair Loss: Divi Hair VitaminsWhy we like it: Sometimes, it takes more than collagen powder and prayers to enhance the strength and health of your hair. Enter these vitamins from Divi, which feature a blend of KSM-66 ashwagandha root extract and a complex of arginine silicate and magnesium biotinate to boost your hair health. And if you’re particular about what you put in your body (fair enough!), these are free from dairy, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, sesame, wheat, and gluten.How to Use It: Take four capsules daily with food.When to Expect Results: After 90 days of consistent use.Key Ingredients: KSM-66 Ashwagandha Root Extract,Arginine Silicate, Magnesium BiotinateBest for Hair Restoration: Viviscal Hair Growth SupplementsViviscal

Hair Growth Supplements

Why we like it: Viviscal Hair Growth Supplements are renowned for their potent blend of minerals, vitamins, and nutrients purported to bolster hair growth. Dr. Doshi elaborates, “Ingredients such as biotin, iron, zinc, vitamin C, and a marine protein complex present in Viviscal are thought to promote hair health.” Additionally, clinical studies have been conducted to support claims of thicker, fuller hair.How to Use It: Take two pills daily.When to Expect Results: After 90 days of consistent use.Key Ingredients: Zinc, vitamin C, iron, and niacinWhat are hair growth vitamins and do they actually work?

Hair growth is very complicated, dependent on each individual’s situation, and often requires a multimodal approach. According to Dr. Gordon, “[The best vitamins for hair growth] are definitely helpful, and if you are deficient in any of the amino acids, omega acids, or other vitamins, then they are necessary to provide you with the building blocks to grow hair.” She continues, many hair growth gummies and capsules also contain plant extracts and other natural ingredients that can mimic some pharmaceutical hair growth medications as well as provide novel mechanisms for hair growth. Some can also help with hormonal changes, stress, and other ailments.

However, as Vitti explains, taking more micronutrients doesn’t always lead to more hair growth for two main reasons: first, the body gets rid of what it can’t use, and second, people with gut issues might have trouble absorbing nutrients properly. Plus, results can take a long time—think three to six months to notice any real change. It’s also so difficult to be stuck in the cycle of stress and hair loss (which causes more stress), so make sure you look at your overall wellness and health if you choose to add these vitamins into your diet.

What vitamins and ingredients are good for thinning hair?

According to Dr. Gordon, iron and vitamin D are among the most common deficiencies observed in hair loss, along with vitamin Bs and amino acids (protein). Some ingredients she recommends include:

Saw Palmetto: This natural blocker of dihydrotestosterone plays a significant role in hair loss. While you should discuss the pros and cons with your provider, it’s considered an effective ingredient.Ashwagandha: An antioxidant known to help with stress and shown to support hair growth and reduce breakage.Tocotrienol: This can increase hair density.Curcumin: Known to reduce dihydrotestosterone, which is linked to hair loss.Collagen: While the verdict is still out on its effectiveness, anecdotal evidence and research suggest collagen supplements may promote hair growth, strength, and have positive effects on skin and nails.Biotin: Once hailed as the best hair growth vitamin, it has somewhat fallen out of favor due to lack of data. In general, it shouldn’t harm you, but high levels may lead to acne or affect certain lab values.Who should take these supplements & what is the best way to consume?

According to Vitti, if you feel like your daily caffeine intake, medication use, alcohol consumption, menstrual cycle or periods of intense stress, dieting, or exercise routines are depleting your micronutrient levels, taking supplements can be incredibly beneficial to replenish them.

However, most people can take the majority of these supplements. Ideally, there should be different formulations tailored to different genders, ages, and other factors. If you’re attempting to conceive or are pregnant, certain ingredients should be avoided, cautions Dr. Gordon.

Which vitamin deficiency may cause hair loss?

According to Dr. Gordon, vitamin D and B deficiencies are among the most commonly observed in hair loss cases. While they may not always be the direct cause, they are essential building blocks for hair growth. “Other important labs to check include blood counts to ensure you aren’t anemic, as well as thyroid function, among others,” she adds.

Are there any side effects to be aware of?

“There are always potential side effects,” says Dr. Gordon, emphasizing the importance of sourcing botanicals from reputable sources due to limited studies. While many botanicals target dihydrotestosterone, which may lead to low testosterone side effects, such occurrences are generally rare. Excessive biotin intake can result in acne and should be discontinued before certain blood tests to avoid lab interference. Iron supplements may cause constipation, and collagen may induce diarrhea or gastrointestinal upset in some individuals.

Meet The Experts

Dr. Hardik Doshi is a double board-certified plastic surgeon and the lead surgeon for hair restoration at Ample.Dr. Jennifer Gordon is a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology.Alisa Vitti, HHC, AADP, is a functional nutrition and women’s hormone expert, the founder of modern hormone health care company FLO Living.