Hair loss can be a discouraging experience, affecting approximately 80 million Americans, according to statistics from the American Academy of Dermatology. In addition to its impact on appearance, studies have shown that hair loss can have psychological effects. Is ingesting related vitamins the solution to hair loss?
Data from the Langone Health Center at New York University shows that over 80% of men and nearly 50% of women will experience severe hair loss at some point in their lives.
Reported by USA Today, health experts point out that regrowing hair is not always as simple as taking medication.
“Hair loss is not necessarily caused by a vitamin deficiency, and taking vitamins does not guarantee hair growth,” nutritionist Caroline Thomason told USA Today from Washington, D.C.
Thomason expressed that hair loss can be attributed to various reasons and does not always indicate a lack of any particular vitamin.
According to the Langone Health Center at New York University, for men, androgenetic alopecia (AGA), commonly known as male pattern baldness, accounts for approximately 95% of hair loss cases. This probability decreases to around 40% for women. Thomason mentioned that other common causes include genetics, hormonal imbalances, stress, medication, among others.
Dermatologist Hadley King, MD, told USA Today that if a vitamin deficiency is the cause of hair loss, it is most likely due to low levels of biotin (a member of the B-vitamin group) and/or vitamin D.
How should one address hair loss? Thomason suggests that the first step should be consulting a healthcare provider. They can conduct blood tests to determine if a vitamin deficiency is the cause of the hair loss. If so, taking vitamins may indeed be the appropriate course of action.
If a vitamin deficiency is not the cause of the hair loss, Thomason recommends ensuring a diet with adequate protein, sufficient sleep, and stress management to prevent hair loss and support hair growth.
Carolyn Goh, a dermatologist at the University of California, Los Angeles, noted to CBC, “Just as nutrition is essential for the body, it is crucial for hair as well.”
Because hair is composed of protein (keratin), she advises ensuring a diet rich in protein, iron, and zinc. Vitamins E and D help promote a healthy hair growth cycle, as does vitamin A. However, she warns against excessive intake of vitamin A, which is known to contribute to hair loss.
King also emphasized that biotin, fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E, as well as vitamin C, have been proven to help prevent hair loss, but cautioned against self-administering vitamins without consulting a doctor.
According to Harvard Health, excessive intake of vitamin A and selenium can actually further contribute to hair loss.
Furthermore, styling practices such as blow-drying, curling, straightening, dyeing, and bleaching hair often do more harm than good. Many tools used for styling or coloring hair can damage the hair through the application of force, heat, or harmful chemicals.
Dermatologist Renée Beach from Toronto told CBC, “Hair should be styled, but the more manipulation we do to hair, the more breakage actually occurs.”
She explained that chemical substances traditionally used for straightening or curling hair “essentially break down… and make the hair weaker, more susceptible to breakage,” and the use of a straightening iron can cause damage through heat and steam, which are unavoidable.
Normal hair loss varies from person to person. Most individuals are aware of what amount of hair loss is considered normal for them. If you suddenly notice more hair shedding than usual, hair clumps falling out, or a visible thinning of hair, these may be signs of an underlying issue.