- 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.