Hair health and hormones are inextricably linked.
This means that when you’re stressed, you may just find that your locks reflect that feeling by thinning and shedding, leading to more stress and the cycle repeats. This occurs as increased corticosterone levels aka the stress hormone inhibits hair growth by forcing the follicles to remain in an extended resting phase.
Alongside this, hair loss can be caused by illness, poor diet, mediction or even genetics. You may even find that your menstrual cycle impacts your mane as well as the likes of menopause.
While this is all very normal - and according to a research conducted by Augustinus Bader - is experienced by half of women, it can have a real impact on your confidence, which is where a good supplement comes in.
What vitamins are good for hair loss?
“Your hair’s nutritional levels are much greater than those of your general health”, explains Anabel Kingsley, Brand President and Consultant Trichologist at Philip Kingsley. “Vitamins C, D and B12, plus Biotin, Iron, Copper and Selenium are designed to support the maintenance of healthy hair from within”.
She emphasises that, while supplements can ensure you’re getting nutritional benefits, “Eating a healthy, balanced, and varied diet is key! You cannot get your nutrition from supplements alone”.
What vitamins are good for hair loss during menopause?
Kingsley reveals “The hormonal shifts that occur leading up to and during menopause can have a huge impact on the hair growth cycle. You want to be optimising each possible factor that can affect your hair growth cycle, such as your health, nutrition, thyroid function, stress levels, as well as scalp health and the condition of your hair itself”.
She repeats that “Eating a healthy, balanced, and varied diet is key” but also says that “Supplementing a healthy diet with nutritional supplements can add a boost of protein. But if you’re worried about your hair loss, it’s best to see a Trichologist”.
Do vitamins really help?
“The impact that nutrition has on hair growth should not be underestimated”, the trichologist stresses. “As hair is non-essential tissue, and hair cells are the second fastest growing cells your body makes, its nutritional requirements are very high. In fact, even a small deficiency can cause hair loss. It is also quite hard to give your hair what it needs through diet alone. This is why I often recommend supplementing a healthy diet with nutritional supplements”.
She does warn though that “there are many types of hair loss, and it is important to identify the root cause in order to proceed with the correct treatment method. For example, if your hair loss is not due to a nutritional deficiency then taking a nutritional supplement isn’t going to be effective, no matter how many you take”.
How do you stop your hair from falling out?
Kingsley breaks it down. “It is really dependent on the type of hair loss you have. There is no ‘one size fits all’ as hair loss is very individual. Your metabolic and genetic profile, as well as your lifestyle and diet, may be very different from a friend who is also experiencing hair loss.
“However, if you are concerned about hair loss, prevention is always better than a cure, especially when dealing with androgenic alopecia as this is a progressive type of hair loss. At our Trichological Clinics we undertake a holistic 360 degree consultation looking at our clients health, medical history, genetic history, lifestyle, diet, hair and scalp condition and we send them for blood test to identify any possible causes. Once we have the full picture, we can identify the cause and correct treatment plan. For example, taking lots of hair supplements is not going to resolve your issue if it is not down to a nutritional deficiency”.
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Vida Glow Natural Marine Collagen Sachets
Best for: anti-ageing while encouraging baby hair growth
Vida Glow’s game-changing supplement is derived from sustainably-sourced fish skin that is activated for potency and stimulates the body’s natural production of collagen. It has been clinically proven to answer anti-ageing concerns like fine lines and wrinkles as well as has firming, plumping and elasticity-boosting properties.
The powdered texture (and hydrolysation process) encourages a better absorption and the blueberry, peach, pineapple or mango flavouring enhances the taste of your morning porridge or hot beverage - and counteracts the often unpleasant taste that these supplements can have. On top of the skin benefits, it also strengthens nails and thickens hair with impressive regrowth abilities. Take one to three sachets a day depending on your age (just one for 25-35, two for 36-45 and three for 45+).
Buy now £39.00, Vida Glow
Viviscal Hair Growth Programme 60 Tablets
Taking Viviscal for a three to six month period will have a noticeable effect on the length and thickness of your locks. It is not a quick fix so don’t expect to see an overnight hair transformation but you will begin to see the difference in your hair. It becomes shinier, thicker and appears more dense. This is possible through a clinically researched mix of nutrients, minerals and proteins.
Zinc maintains the health of your hair, while vitamin B derivative biotin encourages growth of both locks and nails too. AminoMar C is marine-derived to support your natural protein development and fortify each strand. Last but not least, the supplement is also packed with iron to support your red blood cell creation and immune system.
Buy now £29.99, Holland & Barrett
Feel Hair Support
This supplement has been put through its paces in a clinical double-blind trial and it has come out trumps. The results reveal that in 90 days of taking this dietary add-on, you should notice a more voluminous mane, greater density and better shine. This is down to a very special trademarked ingredient known as Keranat that counteracts hair loss by supporting the natural growth cycle and fortifying the individual strands. Set alongside biotin, these may be the revolutionary capsules your haircare routine has been calling out for.
Buy now £56.43, Feel
Vegamour GRO Biotin Gummies for Thinning Hair & Hair Wellness
Considered a game-changer by our friends across the pond, we have Sephora’s UK launch to thank for bringing Vegamour to stressed strands. These gummies can be slipped into your daily routine with ease, whether you consume with breakfast or as a mid-afternoon snack where the strawberry flavouring will act as a welcomed sweet treat. Better yet, they come in a playful heart shape that’s sure to put a smile on your face.
Taken consistently and the results are sure to give you the swishy hair feeling from every shampoo advert ever made - aka thicker, fuller and longer locks. They also provide a boost for your immune system to boot. This is thanks to the supercharged cocktail of vitamins B-5,6 and 12, A, C and E as well as biotin and folic acid.
Buy now £36.00, Sephora
Philip Kingsley Density Healthy Hair Complex
The Density range was created by the experts at legendary science-backed hair label Philip Kingsley to promote scalp health and counteract the effects of follicle-stressing external aggressors.
Through a combination of botanical ingredients, it tackles free radicals that can cause your hair to become lacklustre and thin from the outside in, while also packing in vitamins and minerals to improve hair health. The nutrient-rich combination of vitamin C, biotin and selenium put the va va voom back into tresses as well as enhance shine.
Buy now £32.00, Cult Beauty
Purolabs Biotin Complex
Purolabs has taken a more targetted approach with these supplements, prioritising healthy nail growth by spotlighting biotin. The ingredient also encourages the strengthening of our strands to leave you with a healthy mane and less split ends as well as glowing skin by adding vitamin C, selenium and zinc to the line up.
It’s an advanced formulation that places biotin at a high strength whopping 10,000ug. But don’t expect overnight results. It takes around three months before you’ll properly notice the benefits (about the length of your hair cycle). There’s no nasties included and they’re vegan. Not totally convinced? Make the most of the brand’s 60 day guarantee. If you don’t love it, they’ll give you your money back.
Buy now £29.99, Purolabs
CENTRED. Tender Love and Hair Supplement (60 capsules)
After personally suffering from stress-related hair loss, founder Laura Tudor went on a mission to create products that will stimulate hair growth, while also being natural, vegan and cruelty-free. The plant-powered formula contains bamboo extract for shine, biotin for growth, strength and lustre, aloe vera, amino acids, zinc, iron and vitamin C - all with restorative effects and to encourage your body to better absorb the nutrients themselves. Simply take one or two capsules daily after food.
Buy now £30.00, Sephora
