Experts say that over-the-counter vitamins for hair growth and thickness often contain B complex vitamins, iron, protein, and vitamin D. "We know that low levels of these vitamins are associated with hair thinning," Dr. Zeichner tells Health.
However, vitamin B12 may give you the appearance of fuller and thicker hair because the increase in oxygen to hair follicles can help stimulate the replacement of lost strands. Vitamin B12 may also help give your hair an overall healthier appearance since intake of enough B12 is responsible for stronger hair shafts.
Vitamin C is one of the most effective nutrients to help grow and strengthen hair, says Guy Parsons. “Vitamin C helps build collagen, which is highly important for hair growth, but maintaining the strength of hair is just as crucial,” Guy says.
“Vitamins are essential for healthy hair growth and may help in preventing hair shedding and thinning,” says Michele Green, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist in New York. “The best vitamins for hair growth include B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc, biotin and iron.
Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is a component of two important coenzymes: flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) [22].
Magnesium has a direct impact on hair growth. It regulates hair follicle production and the overall hair growth cycle, making it an essential mineral for healthy hair growth. When magnesium levels are low, hair follicles go into a resting phase and stop producing new hair, leading to hair loss.
Biotin. Biotin is a B vitamin that plays a major role in promoting the growth of healthy hair. In fact, biotin is so closely related to the growth of hair that studies have found that 38 percent of women with hair loss issues have biotin deficiencies.
Vitamin D can indeed cause hair loss, but it's rare. Although the precise role of vitamin D in hair growth isn't well understood, research shows that vitamin D receptors play an important role in the anagen phase of the hair follicle cycle — the phase in which new hairs grow from the follicle to their full length.
It depends. “If a follicle has closed, disappeared, scarred, or not generated a new hair in years, then a new hair wouldn't be able to grow,” Fusco says. But if the follicle is still intact, yes, it is possible to regrow the hair—or to improve the health of the existing thinner hairs.
Best overall vitamin for hair growth
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is a water-soluble vitamin that supports healthy hair, skin and nail growth. It is especially useful in breaking down foods such as proteins and carbohydrates, boosting energy. Nature Made's Biotin supplement contains 1,000 mcg of biotin.
Will Hair Grow Back From B12 Deficiency? Yes! Your hair will grow back as soon as you treat the deficiency. On restoration of vitamin B12 in your body, your hair cells will replicate adequately and support your hair follicles to grow healthy hair.
How Much B12 Should I Take Daily For Hair Growth? The lowest amount recommended that should be traceable in your body is 2.4 mcg. While you are looking for a difference in your hair growth you can increase this dosage to 3 mcg and beyond.
Calcium Build-up: Magnesium is important for regulating calcium levels in the body. A deficiency in magnesium can lead to excess calcium build-up in the hair follicles, which can cause hair breakage and hair loss.
Can magnesium deficiency cause you to lose hair? The short answer is 'yes. ' Magnesium plays a vital role in growing new hair as well keeping the hair that you already have. Believe it or not, Magnesium is one of the most under-rated minerals that may contribute to healthy hair growth.
Deficiencies in any of the following vitamins and minerals could manifest as conditions including generalized hair loss, frizziness or brittle hair: Biotin (vitamin B7): Biotin activates enzymes that break down the carbohydrates, fat and protein necessary for hair production and reducing frizz.
Foods that contain the most biotin include organ meats, eggs, fish, meat, seeds, nuts, and certain vegetables (such as sweet potatoes) [2,12].
Fine or thin hair: "Fine hair will need to be shampooed as often as every other day to provide it with the moisture it needs to flourish and grow," Courtney says. Cleansing also helps remove buildup and oils that can weigh fine or thin hair down.