Do Hair-Growth Vitamins Work? Here's The Truth, According to Dermatologists

The past six months, I've watched Demi Moore with supreme envy every time her luscious, long hair comes up on my Instagram feed. While the bob haircut might be trending, long hair will never go out of style. It doesn't help, either, when I look up from my phone at my own sad, stubby ends that refuse to grow past my shoulders. How can I get my hair to grow longer, and will hair-growth vitamins finally work for me? I wonder for the thousandth time.I know I'm not alone: 50 percent of women and 70 percent of men will experience hair loss and thinning in their lifetime. I've experienced hair loss or thinning for a few years (shout-out post-COVID-19-related hair loss) and have felt totally helpless to get my hair to look full and healthy again. I've tried everything to make my hair grow faster: hair-growth shampoos, castor-oil treatments, aloe-vera massages, rosemary-oil products, Scandinavian elixirs, and of course, about a trillion vitamins for hair growth.Once and for all, though, I'm wondering: Do hair-growth vitamins work, are they safe, and which ones do dermatologists actually recommend? I got into it all, with the help of a few experts. Keep reading:Experts recommend these vitamins for hair-growth:Viviscal Women's Hair Growth SupplementsNow 25% OffNutrafol Women's Hair Growth Supplements—Ages 18-44Nutrafol Women's Balance Hair Growth Supplements—Ages 45 and UpHow do vitamins for hair growth work?Usually, hair-growth vitamins, gummies, and supplements are filled with a mix of “hair-friendly” ingredients like biotin; folic acid; vitamins D, A, C, and E; and omegas, all of which supposedly work together to make your hair look longer, healthier, shinier, and stronger after a few months. But the real question is...Do hair-growth vitamins really work?“While hair-growth vitamins may potentially help improve overall hair health, there is not enough evidence to prove their efficacy for hair growth,” says board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD. In essence, hair-growth vitamins could work to help grow longer, thicker hair, but it's not that simple. If your hair loss or thinning is caused by a vitamin deficiency, then potentially flooding your body with a whole lot of that vitamin could, potentially, help slowly regrow back some hair. But “Most people get all the vitamins they need to manage their hair growth from their diet alone,” says trichologist Dominic Burg, chief scientist at Evolis Professional, meaning all that extra in your system won't do too much.Some hair-growth supplements will contain botanical extracts, like grapeseed extract, saw palmetto, horsetail extract, and others—that are filled with amino and fatty acids that might help encourage scalp stimulation a bit. But there's just not enough scientific research yet that can say any of these truly work.Here's the thing: Vitamins and supplements are not FDA-approved, which means there isn't a universal standard when it comes to ingredients, strengths, or formulations. Plus, all of these concoctions can include a whole slew of ingredients that say they work, even when there isn't the scientific backing proving so just yet. Which brings us to...Are hair-growth vitamins safe?Whether or not hair-growth vitamins are safe depends on your current health and the type of supplement or gummy you ingest. The thing is, supplements and vitamins are not FDA-regulated, meaning brands can kinda say and do whatever they want—and also add whatever mix of ingredients they want to their formulas. That’s not to say all gummies and vitamins are automatically scary and unsafe (after all, it is bad business practice to poison customers), but because hair supplements aren’t backed by government-approved data, the research around them is either nonexistent or highly suspect.“A lot of the studies you find in support of hair supplements are actually funded by the brands themselves,” says dermatologist Dhaval G. Bhanusali, MD, who specializes in hair loss. “The literature is sketchy at best, and most dermatologists agree that supplements are not very impressive.” Instead, your best bet is to talk to your doctor (seriously—their many years of schooling made them pretty smart in the hair-growth department), or trying some topical products instead:But if you're determined to try hair gummies, pills, supplements, and vitamins, regardless of what I say, then let me at least help you do it safely. So let's get into what you really want to know: Try these daily supplements to (potentially!) encourage hair growth:Grande Cosmetics Vegan Collagen Hair Vitamin GummiesVital Proteins Collagen Peptides + Biotin Hair Complex Unflavored PowderNow 11% OffAlo Advanced Collagen ShotDoes biotin actually work? Unfortunately, there isn’t a definitive answer on whether biotin (AKA vitamin B7) really helps hair growth, and every dermatologist we spoke with was on the skeptical side. According to dermatologist Vivian Bucay, MD,, if you’re taking a stand-alone biotin supplement, you’d need to take at least 5 milligrams daily for it to have a chance of affecting hair growth—but even then, there’s no guarantee it’ll do anything, she says.It’s also worth noting that biotin—just like any supplement—isn’t without its downsides: Excess biotin has the potential to trigger breakouts in some acne-prone individuals (which is what happened to me). More research is needed to understand the exact correlation, but what is known is that taking biotin can also affect major medical tests your doctor may perform. So, as we’ll repeat again and again, make sure to discuss all supplement-related info with an actual doctor before trying any. What ingredients help hair growth? The ingredients that are going to help your hair growth vary from person to person. Generally, supplements are filled with vitamins that most people tend to through food every day. However, if your doctor confirms you’re vitamin-deficient, certain vitamins could potentially (potentially!) help with hair growth, says Dr. Bhanusali. “There are some studies and anecdotal evidence that support the idea that low vitamin D levels can hinder hair growth, and a lot of people tend to have low vitamin D, even if they’re otherwise healthy,” says Dr. Bhanusali. And the same goes for lower iron levels. “Many derms see good results by prescribing patients iron supplements and vitamin D supplements," he says, adding that you should always check with your doc before starting a supplement.If you are *not* vitamin deficient (which, again, only a doctor can tell you) but still want longer, healthier, stronger hair, then sadly, “supplements will probably do very little for you,” says Burg. Hey, maybe you’ll be the lucky wild card—again, there are no mass studies definitively saying yes or no—but if we’re talking from a point of science here, your odds aren’t great.Are there side effects to vitamins for hair growth?I know what you’re thinking: What’s the harm in taking hair growth vitamins and supplements, just in case they do end up helping? But sadly, that’s not how vitamins work in a healthy (read: non-vitamin-deficient) human. Even if you were to ingest triple the vitamins your body needs (please don’t), you still wouldn’t reap triple, or even double, the hair growth rewards.Why? Because “your body keeps only the vitamins it needs and then gets rid of the rest,” says trichologist Dominic Burg. It's kind of like pouring water into a glass that’s already 100 percent full. So unless you’re actually missing some key nutrients—i.e., your doctor has confirmed you have a deficiency—you’ll usually end up peeing out the excess vitamins pretty soon after you ingest them.A few editor-loved hair-growth supplements:Wellbel Women Clean Supplement for Hair, Skin, and NailsLemme Glow Collagen Hair GummiesThe Nue Co. Growth Phase Hair SupplementLove Wellness Healthy Hair Probiotics What vitamin am I lacking if my hair is falling out?There isn’t just one vitamin deficiency that causes hair loss—thinning and shedding hair can actually be caused by multiple physical and mental factors. “There are a lot of women running around who are deficient and don’t realize it, either because of dieting, poor nutrition, or intense stress,” says Burg. And when you’re super stressed or not eating enough, “your body will shut down your hair growth first and redirect nutrients and energy to the organs that need it most,” he says, thus leaving you vitamin deficient and your hair growth at a standstill.That said, there are several key nutrients and vitamins you may be lacking that are causing your hair loss. Because you can't diagnose it yourself, go see a doctor, but here's a list of the most common nutrient culprits according to the National Library of Medicine:ProteinVitamin A, B12, C, D, EIronSeleniumZincSome top-rated women's multi-vitamins:Olly The Perfect Women's Multi-Vitamin GummiesNow 15% OffHUM Base Control Daily Women's MultivitaminRitual Essential for Women Multivitamin 18+Love Wellness Daily Love MultivitaminCan stress cause hair loss?Yes, if you’ve ever experienced a severe bout of physical or emotional stress (see: the pandemic), you might have noticed a sudden shedding of your hair a few months afterward. “It’s a delayed reaction to the stress or diet that usually occurs three months later,” says Burg. Of course, the only way to know for sure if your body is deficient is to have your levels tested by your doctor, so please wait for a physician to tell you supplements are safe for you to try. These supplements have amazing reviews, btw:Vegamour Gro Biotin Gummies for Thinning HairBriogeo Destined for Density Biotin SupplementsDivi Hair VitaminsNow 40% OffMoon Juice SuperHair Daily Hair Nutrition SupplementHow long do hair-growth vitamins take to work?So if you do decide to try any of the above hair-growth vitamins, expect to take them consistently for three to six months before you'll notice results. And really, it can take even longer—potentially, up to a year–if you're experiencing hair loss or thinning. Hair growth takes a lot of time—your hair only realistically grows ½-inch per month. What stimulates hair growth best? Ah, yes, the question you should be asking: If not supplements, then what? Luckily, you’ve got a ton of options:MinoxidilMinoxidil is the active ingredient found in both topical products (like Rogaine and Hers) that you massage on your scalp daily, and in oral medications that are prescribed by a doctor. “We don’t know the exact mechanism for how minoxidil works, but we think a lot of it has to do with increasing blood flow to the scalp,” says Dr. Bhanusali. “It’s like giving more water to the plant to help it grow.” Essentially, minoxidil helps encourage your hair to stay in the growth phase longer (versus the rest or shedding phase), which can increase hair density, says dermatologist Samantha Ellis, MD. If you’re going to try topical minoxidil, just know you need to be consistent—use it every single day until…forever. And if you’re dealing with irritation or you’re not seeing results after a few months, head to your derm for prescription options (more on that below).Try one of these over-the-counter minoxidils:Rogaine Women's 5% Minoxidil FoamNow 12% OffVirtue Flourish Minoxidil Hair Regrowth TreatmentHead & Shoulders Scalp X 2% MinoxidilSteroidsIf your hair loss is rapid—as in, you’re suddenly shedding a ton of hair—versus gradual, there’s usually an underlying cause that should be addressed by a doctor or dermatologist ASAP (whether that’s stress, hormones, deficiencies, inflammation, or illness). Topical steroids or steroid injections are often used as a short-term fix to help get the shedding under control, says. Dr. Bhanusali.SpironolactoneYup, the magical acne-clearing pill can also be helpful for hair growth. “Oral spironolactone is a prescription blood-pressure medication that helps block androgens—male sex hormones—in females, which can help increase hair growth over time,” says Dr. Bhanusali. Another (off-label) added bonus? “Many patients find that their breakouts disappear and their hair is less oily too,” he says.Try spironolactone with one of these telemed services:Nurx Spironolactone Oral Acne MedicationApostrophe Spironolactone Hormonal Acne TreatmentPRP therapyPRP therapy—platelet-rich plasma therapy—is a treatment in which a doctor draws your blood, separates the plasma from it, then reinjects it into your scalp to help stimulate follicle activity. At least four sessions are usually required, and it’s not cheap (think: $600 to $1,200 per treatment), but it’s a promising option for hair growth. “I do think PRP can work in the right patient, but it’s not a guarantee,” says Dr. Bhanusali. “Studies generally show 20 percent of people get a significant improvement, 20 percent get slim to no results, and, anecdotally, the other 40 percent get maybe a 10 percent to 15 percent improvement.” Medicated scalp treatmentsSounds obvious, but hair growth requires a peaceful environment to be successful. So if your scalp is irritated, inflamed, and flaky, whether due to dandruff, dry scalp, psoriasis, or eczema, you’ll need to re-establish a healthy foundation asap—which is where medicated scalp treatments come in.If you’re working with a flaky, itchy scalp from dandruff, Dr. Ellis recommends sudsing up with a dandruff shampoo with antifungals ingredients, like pyrithione zinc, ketoconazole, or selenium sulfide, all of which help to “reduce inflammation that leads to hair loss over time,” she says. If your shampoo isn’t helping after 3-4 weeks, head to the dermatologist for proper diagnosis and/or prescription treatments.Trust: These are the *best* dandruff shampoos:Jupiter Balancing ShampooHead & Shoulders Royal Oils Anti-Dandruff ShampooCeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating ShampooNow 17% OffIs there a way to make your hair look thicker?To make your hair look thicker, look to volumizing formulas (shampoos and conditioners, mousse, sprays, and creams), along with colored powders that visually conceal thinning. Because, even if you try the above treatments, you won’t see results overnight. But you can incorporate a hair-thickening treatment, like one with polymers that swell up your hair strands and make them look fuller, as well as starches that soak up oils that can weigh your hair down and make it look flat. You could also try a colored powder—like a scalp foundation or tinted hair fibers—to actually fill in the sparse areas around your hairline and make them look fuller.4 must-haves to instantly make your hair look thicker:Toppik Hair Building FibersK18 AstroLift Reparative Volume SprayColor Wow Xtra Large Bombshell VolumizerAmika Rising Star Volumizing Finishing SprayCan a dermatologist help with hair growth?Yes, a dermatologist can definitely help with hair growth and loss. “If your hair loss is abrupt and without an identifiable trigger, your scalp is itchy or painful, or if your hair loss or thinning is accompanied by other symptoms, then a trip to the doctor would be especially warranted,” says Dr. Ellis.But even if you’re not dealing with other symptoms, you’d still be wise to see your dermatologist so they can do a full blood-panel workup to test for any vitamin deficiencies that could be contributing to hair loss or stunted hair growth. Then, they can make suggestions based on your age, sex, and other health conditions, including prescription options like oral minoxidil, finasteride, or spironolactone, along with in-office treatments like PRP therapy.How to choose a hair-growth vitamin for you: Before trying to choose the best vitamins for hair growth, check in with your doctor to discuss your hair-loss specifics so they can first confirm your health status. After giving you the green light, they can then make recommendations on how to speed up your hair-growth journey, whether that’s taking a vitamin that you’re deficient in, starting topical minoxidil, or incorporating a prescription oral medication like spironolactone. And if you've already bought some gummies or supplements—or have even been taking them—make sure to bring them to your doctor’s appointment to get their thoughts on the ingredients list and how it could potentially benefit (or harm) both your health and hair growth. How we chose the best vitamins for hair growth: To narrow down this list of best vitamins for hair growth, we consulted with the above dermatologists and trichologists on their own recommendations for patients. Then, we also dove deep into the ingredients of each treatment to determine which actually have ingredients that might encourage healthier scalp and hair. We've also thoroughly tested products on ourselves (including polling other Cosmo staffers) and combed through product reviews and ratings. Final thoughts: Unfortunately, hair-growth vitamins don’t show any evidence of being able to magically grow your hair longer (only genetics, hormones, and age can do that). In fact, vitamins and supplements aren’t even regulated by the FDA, meaning brands have a lot of good-or-bad freedom in their ingredient formulations and marketing claims. So before you order a bottle of vitamins, set up an appointment with your doctor to discuss your hair goals and come up with a plan that can actually lead to longer, thicker hair.Meet the experts: Marisa Garshick, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at MCDS Dermatology in New York, NY. She is also a clinical assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medicine.Samantha Ellis, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Danville, CA. She’s also a clinical instructor of dermatology at the University of California Davis. Dhaval G. Bhanusali, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery in New York, NY. Dr. Bhanusali is also the founder of HairStim, a custom-compounded hair loss formula that's created and prescribed by your own dermatologist.Dominic Burg is a certified trichologist and chief scientist at Evolis Professional.Vivian Bucay, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Bucay Center for Dermatology and Aesthetic in San Antonio, TX. Dr. Bucay is also a clinical assistant professor at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio.Why trust Cosmopolitan?Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, and has four years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news. She’s an expert at researching and writing beauty stories, like the best shampoo for a dry scalp and the best hair-growth oils, and feels especially knowledgeable in hair-growth vitamins, thanks to her own struggles with—what she believes—was post-Covid-19-related hair loss. She regularly tests and analyzes vitamins for her own hair for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top dermatologists and trichologists to assess new formulas and brands.Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair stories that range from scalp acne shampoos to deep conditioners. She’s an authority in all hair categories but is an expert when it comes to hair-growth vitamins, thanks to interviewing dermatologists and doctors about how they work and which are actually worth trying.Additional reporting by Chloe Metzger, the former deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan with 10 years of experience researching, writing, and editing skin, makeup, hair, and nail stories across print and digital, including curly hair products and clarifying shampoos. Her hair-growth vitamin picks were based on product reviews, ratings, and personal testing, along with information from experts. Related StoryWhat to Know About the 4 Phases of Hair Growth Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months. Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty, fashion, travel, and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? gotchu. What about how to find the best fashion deals of the season, the softest sheets on the market, or exactly how to use retinol without irritating your skin? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As her 2024 goal, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini NYC has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at that magazine life.

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