The hair is complex and requires essential elements, such as proteins, vitamins, and minerals to efficiently produce healthy hair. Vitamins and supplements can play a significant role in hair health, but the supplement aisle can be a confusing place. The sheer number of options with many labels promising miracles sound too good to be true and can be quite overwhelming. And, supplements in excess doses can be potentially toxic. So what is the best supplement to take? This depends on the type of hair loss and whether the patient has any underlying deficiency worsening his or her hair loss. Lab tests can also be quite helpful to check for specific deficiencies such as checking a ferritin level, which is a marker for iron storage.

 

Iron deficiency is a common contributing factor in hair loss, especially in women. Iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen to your cells, including those that promote hair growth. So a deficiency will often unmask or exacerbate existing hair loss. But iron supplementation can also cause constipation, so Dr. Jain will recommend specific supplements that can increase your iron intake while limiting the amount of constipation. Her favorite iron supplement is Vitron-C, which also contains Vitamin C. This is important as Vitamin C will increase the absorption of iron. She also recommends every other day dosing (as this will increase absorption of iron compared to daily intake) and to take with food (to decrease constipation).

 

It's also important to understand not all supplements are good and/or appropriate for you. Many people think biotin supplements are wonderful for hair. However, sometimes the dose in over-the-counter supplements are too high and not helpful for hair loss. For example, biotin supplements can interfere with certain laboratory tests, including thyroid function tests and a cardiac test called troponin, a marker of heart damage.

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One of Dr. Jain’s recommended supplements for patients with androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss) is Untangled, an over-the-counter supplement created by another board-certified dermatologist. It contains a lower dose of biotin (the correct daily amount) and saw palmetto, which can help with the hormonal imbalance in pattern hair loss.

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Overall, supplements and vitamins can be helpful in hair loss depending on the type, especially if there are any underlying deficiencies. Living a generally healthy lifestyle with a diet full of nutrients, exercising, and seeing your doctor for your regular physical exams and possible blood work are all helpful for preventing hair loss.