Mythbusters: Do Hair Vitamins Work?

If you've spent a good amount of time on social media like Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook, then you've probably already seen advertisements related to hair vitamins.

These days, hair vitamins are all the rage. Plenty of celebrities and social media influencers are showing off gorgeous before and after photos of their locks after using hair vitamins. I'd be lying if I said I've never been interested in trying out those vitamins myself.

But in today's ZALA Mythbusters, we'll explore the real answer to the question: do hair vitamins work?

The myth

Nobody has the exact same genetic makeup of another person. Other people may have too much of something, while others may be lacking in something.

For people who are lacking certain vitamins or nutrients in their bodies, doctors will typically recommend that they take supplements. For instance, people who don't get enough sunlight typically need Vitamin D supplements to make up for it. People who don't eat enough fruits and vegetables may need Vitamin C supplements. And vegans who lack vitamin B12, which is normally only found in animal products, should sometimes also take B12 supplements to prevent vitamin deficiency.

Basically, modern medicine has improved so much that we already have alternatives to everything. Since our hair also needs plenty of vitamins and nutrients, it only makes sense for hair vitamins to work, right?

What do hair vitamins contain?

Hair vitamins contain, as the name implies, vitamins – the very things that our hair needs to be healthy.

The most common vitamins in hair supplements include:

• Vitamin A is normally associated with good vision, but it can also help with cell regrowth, which can affect hair growth as well.
• Vitamin B complex makes up a group of B-vitamins that are commonly found in animal products. The only one that can be produced by our own body is B7, also known as Biotin. Biotin, like many other B-vitamins, has plenty of good effects on hair and nails.
• Vitamin D. Low levels of this vitamin can cause hair fall and even hair loss.
• Iron and selenium can help determine the graying or whitening of hair. Having enough of these vitamins can help prevent premature graying of hair.

As you can see, hair vitamins contain necessary vitamins and nutrients that your hair needs to grow beautifully.

Scientific studies on hair supplements

In theory, hair vitamins do seem to contain helpful vitamins, don't they?

Alopecia Areata is a disorder associated with vitamin D deficiency in hair. People who have Alopecia Areata are often found to have low Vitamin D levels. In this case,

Unfortunately, there's no scientific basis as to how hair vitamins work. For many scientists, actually, hair supplements are rather unnecessary.

A trichologist and chief scientist from Evolis Professional named Dominic Burg says that most people don't really need hair supplements since they can get all those vitamins in the supplements from the food they eat anyway.

Burg also says that most of the vitamins included in hair supplements just go to waste. Simply put, your body can only take so much of a certain vitamin. If you pump your body with excessive vitamins, it's not going to make your hair look prettier or smoother. Actually, you're likely just going to pee out all the excess.

Also, you also have to consider the fact that all hair found outside your body is already dead. It's only the follicles that are actually alive. No amount of supplement you take can affect what your strands already look like now.

If anything, Dr. Vivian Bucay, a dermatologist and assistant professor from the University of Texas Health Science Center, says that it will take years to even show the effects of hair supplements on your hair. Why? Because supplements can only affect the hair that is yet to grow, if they even do anything at all.

Conclusion: do hair vitamins work?

Although it's nice to believe in miracles, the truth is that there's no such thing as a miracle pill. Based on our research, hair vitamins are mostly unnecessary and are simply a waste of money. You can get most of the vitamins contained in those supplements from your diet alone. See, nutrition does matter.

If you're not vitamin deficient, it doesn't make much sense to waste money on hair vitamins. You're much better off buying good quality shampoo and conditioner to get your gain in proper shape in no time at all.

For more ZALA Mythbusters, don't forget to check out our ZALA blog!