Hair shedding is inevitable. In fact, it’s normal to lose up to 200 strands of hair a day, so don’t panic if you’re seeing some extra clumps go down the drain during your weekly wash. However, if you’re experiencing some excessive shedding that’s clogging up the shower drain, some thinning, or maybe you just got a too-short haircut and need your hair to grow double time, don’t fret. While scalp treatments, hair growth shampoos, and hair oils can all help thinning locks, oftentimes working inside out provides the best results. There are tons of supplements that can help. And since there are so many options on the market, we’ve gathered four hair growth experts to guide you on this journey to achieving Rapunzel-like locks and avoid any snake-oil supplements that do, well, nothing.
Experts Sam Archer, VP of product marketing & innovation at Nutrafol; Dr. Meena Singh, Shawnee, Kansas-based dermatologist and hair transplant specialist; Carla Rivas, founder of Hair La Vie; and Marie Mignon, VP of research and development at Prose are here to walk us through their favorite hair growth vitamins–and answer a few FAQs at the end. Whether you’re looking for an easy-to-swallow pill, a candy-like gummy, or a drinkable option, we’ve got you covered with the best supplements for longer, stronger, and fuller hair.
Best Proven Results
Nutrafol
Hair Wellness Supplement
Best Custom Option
Prose
Custom Root Source
Best Drinkable Supplement
Coconut Collagen Boost
Best Multi-Tasker
Moon Juice
SuperHair by Moon Juice – Natural Hair Nutrition Supplement & Multivitamin for Healthier, Thicker, Stronger Hair-250mg Ashwagandha, 500mcg Biotin& 120mg SawPalmetto – Vegan, Non-GMO (120 Capsules) …
Best Tasting Gummy
Grande Cosmetics
GrandeGUMMIES Vegan Collagen Booster
Best For A Budget
Nature’s Bounty
Hair, Skin, and Nails Gummies
Best for All-Around Wellness
Perricone MD
Skin & Total Body Supplements
Best for Hair Repair
Grown Alchemist
Hair Complex
Best All-Natural Option
Hum Nutrition
Hair Sweet Hair Gummies
Best Beauty Multi-Tasker
Vital Proteins
Beauty Boost Capsules
Best Plant-Based Gummy
Vegamour
GRO Biotin Gummies for Hair
Best Vegan Gummy
Love Beauty and Planet
Berry Extraordinary Vegan Hair & Nails Dietary Supplement
Best For Hair Density and Length
Hair La Vie
Clinical Formula Hair Vitamins
Best for Slow Growing Hair
The Nue Co.
Growth Phase Hair Supplement
Best for Aging Hair
Kintsugi Hair
KeraNew
Best Salon Pick
Philip Kingsley
Tricho Complex Vitamin & Mineral Hair Supplement
Best Celeb Choice
Viviscal
Hair Growth Program Extra Strength Dietary Supplement
Best On-the-Go Option
Olly
Ultra Hair Softgel Supplement
Best Tasting Gummy
OLLY
Heavenly Hair Gummies
What causes excessive hair shedding or thinning?
“Besides genetics, a lot of other factors, including stress, pollution, scalp imbalance, and oxidative stress from aging can trigger hair shedding,” says Mignon. Many people who’ve had COVID-19 have also experienced hair shedding a few months after their diagnosis.
What ingredients are good for thinning hair vitamins?
When it comes to hair growth, there are lots of vitamins that can help boost your strands, according to Singh. “Deficiencies in certain vitamins such as zinc, iron, selenium, and biotin can lead to shedding hair loss,” says Singh. “So vitamins that contain these vitamins, as well as vitamin A, B vitamins, Vitamin C, D, E, and protein, may help with hair cycling.”
What exactly do hair growth vitamins do?
The vitamins and ingredients listed above “can prolong the anagen (growth phase) of the hair cycle and decrease the percentage of hairs in the shedding phase,” explains Singh. Biotin is also great for hair growth, as it promotes keratin production and can cause your strands to grow faster. Plus, it promotes healthy skin and nails. Double whammy!
What else should I know about hair growth vitamins?
“Growing stronger, fuller hair takes time and it’s sadly not something that can’t be accomplished overnight,” says Rivas. Therefore, no matter what vitamin you are taking for hair growth, consistency and patience are key. So if your vitamin needs to be in the form of a tasty gummy so that you’ll actually take it…then definitely go for that method.
Also, don’t forget about your scalp! It deserves as much love as your strands. Try out a weekly scalp treatment like the JVN Complete Pre-Wash Scalp & Hair Treatment Oil or an in-shower head massager like the Ceremonia Scalp Masajeador. Trust us, by giving your scalp a little TLC and finding the perfect hair supplement, you strands will thank you.
Sam Archer is the VP of Product Marketing & Innovation at Nutrafol, a supplement subscription service designed to promote hair growth regardless of age and lifestyle.
Dr. Meena Singh is a Kansas-based dermatologist and hair transplant specialist known for her informative videos on hair growth. She also stars in the TLC series Bad Hair Day.
Carla Rivas is the founder of Hair La Vie, an organic hair care company with products that range from daily supplements to treatment products that encourage hair growth.
Marie Mignon is the VP of Research and Development at Prose, a haircare brand that specializes in personalized hair products tailored to a slew of hair concerns and types.
Chloe Hall
Beauty Director
Chloe Hall oversees all beauty coverage at ELLE.com.
Ariana Yaptangco
Social Media & Beauty Editor
Ariana Yaptangco oversees all #content across ELLE’s social media platforms and covers beauty news.
Emily Burns
Assistant Beauty Editor
Emily Burns is the assistant beauty editor at ELLE Magazine.
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