Hair supplements. What’s the big deal?

Something we regularly get asked about is hair supplements.

Do we recommend them? Which supplements are best? Do they work?

Up until now, we have always been sceptical.

Don’t get us wrong, the supplement market is huge! There are lots of positive reasons to take supplements, but something didn’t sit right with “hair-specific” supplements for us, they just didn’t seem to match our ethos and values.

You see a lot of supplements are tested on animals and also contain a lot of filler and bulking products.

Meaning they are not cruelty-free or Vegan and they hardly contain any of the key ingredients that make a difference.

On the other hand, we are also great believers in addressing what is going on internally, if you have specific hair concerns, rather than buying lots of different cosmetic products, which only address external issues.

So what nutrients are good for healthy hair growth?

Like any other part of your body, hair needs a variety of nutrients to be healthy and grow.

Many nutritional deficiencies are linked to hair loss.

While factors such as age, genetics and hormones also affect hair growth, optimal nutrient intake is super important!

1. Vitamin A

All cells need vitamin A for growth, including hair.

This powerful vitamin also helps our skin glands produce sebum which moisturises the scalp and helps to keep hair healthy.

Diets deficient in vitamin A may lead to several problems, including hair loss.

While it’s important to get enough vitamin A, you also don’t want too much. Studies have shown that too much can also contribute to hair loss. Wow!

2. B Vitamins

One of the best-known vitamins for hair growth is a B vitamin called Biotin.

Biotin occurs naturally in a wide range of foods but having a biotin deficiency can have detrimental effects on hair growth.

There are also other B vitamins which are vital in healthy hair growth as they help to create red blood cells, which carry oxygen and nutrients to the scalp and hair follicles.

So think Vitamin B12, vitamin B5, vitamin B6

You can get B vitamins from many foods however animal foods are the only good sources of vitamin B12. So if you’re following a vegetarian or vegan diet you may be lacking in this nutrient.

3. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that is necessary for the growth, development and repair of all body tissues. It's involved in many body functions, including the formation of collagen which is an important part of the hair structure.

Vitamin C also helps your body absorb iron, another mineral necessary for hair growth.

5. Iron

Iron is a vital nutrient which helps red blood cells carry oxygen to your cells. This makes it an important mineral for many bodily functions, including hair growth.

Iron deficiency, which causes anaemia, is a major cause of hair loss and is especially common in women. A simple blood test at the GP can confirm if you have low iron levels.

6. Zinc

Zinc plays an important role in hair tissue growth and repair.

It also helps to keep the oil glands around the hair follicles working properly.

The bottom line?

A good, blanched diet of nutrient-dense food is always the best source of the vitamins you need for hair growth.

However, if you fail to get enough in your diet, supplements may be helpful.

Furthermore, large doses of vitamins and minerals can be harmful if you aren’t deficient.

So.

We recommend speaking to your GP if you are concerned about a deficiency, they will determine your levels by doing a simple blood test.

If you do opt for a hair supplement:

Choose a product which is clean and contains the correct amount of vitamins for healthy hair growth.

We have recently become official stockists of GLOWWA Hair Food.

This brand and product tick all of the boxes for us to be able to confidently recommend a supplement to our customers who are asking for our advice.

Hair Food is vegan and natural hair vitamins which support healthy hair growth from the inside out. These supplements are made in the UK and can be used all year round to achieve your healthiest hair yet.

They contain all of the key ingredients for healthy hair plus they are ✓ VEGAN & CRUELTY FREE ✓ NATURAL INGREDIENTS ✓ PLASTIC FREE PACKAGING

Plus results can be seen in as little as 3 months!

To try GLOWWA Hair Food shop here