Hair supplements and why you need them

I’ve been hugely interested and a great believer of the importance of supplements

The guidance of scientists is key, they recommend the best way to get proper nutrients is from diet, but we recognise, with the hectic lifestyles we all lead, there’s often a need to ‘top up’ when living perfectly isn’t possible. So if you’re looking at supplements already, these are the ones I personally use (I have fragile thin hair!) here are some key ingredients to look for to maintain healthy hair, skin, and nails…

Biotin
Also called Vitamin B7, Biotin is essential in growing healthy and thick hair. All B vitamins are needed for producing new red blood cells critical for transporting oxygen and nourishment throughout the body. Biotin is, therefore, essential in ensuring your hair receives all nutrients needed for healthy growth.

Biotin recommends taking at least 5,000 micrograms daily for favourable results in about a month or so. Because of its positive effects on hair (although I have also read too much is not wise either!) there has been an increase in demand for Biotin as a supplement. It’s now labelled as “hair food” because of the increased rate of hair growth when taking it every day. But Biotin is also known for improving the skin’s feel and healing ability, as well as helping nails grow stronger over time.

Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant known to help reduce free radicals. Supplements and hair care products containing Vitamin E as a main ingredient can solve frizzy, damaged hair problems. It can make hair shinier, more manageable, and younger-looking. Vitamin E also has moisturising and healing benefits for the skin that are said slow down aging whether you take it as a supplement or a key ingredient in your skincare products.

Whether it’s for the hair or skin, Vitamin E sure can help you stay youthful.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A is essential for maintaining strong hair follicles and keeping the scalp’s skin cells healthy. It also improves the amount of natural oil the scalp produces, which lubricates hair and prevents bacterial infections from growing on the scalp.

A report highlights a Brazilian secret of mixing liquid Vitamin A to shampoo to stimulate hair growth, calling the end product ‘bomba’. To make it healthier, it’s recommended to mix the vitamin with sulfate-free shampoo. After about 2 weeks, you can expect healthier, longer, and younger-looking hair. Other than its hair benefits, Vitamin A is also known to fight acne and wrinkles because of its anti-aging properties.

Zinc
Zinc is vital in hair tissue growth and repair and helps keep the oil glands around the follicles properly functioning. This is why dandruff and hair loss are common symptoms of zinc deficiency.

Zinc shampoos underscores how Zinc helps fight seborrheic dermatitis, or the skin condition of the scalp that causes scaly patches, red skin, and stubborn dandruff. While other anti-dandruff agents like salicylic acid and coal tar fight symptoms, Zinc seems to fight the cause itself, which is malassezia that builds up on the scalp. Zinc can also help stop hair loss, as dandruff is one of its common causes, blocking hair follicles and hindering healthy hair growth.

I’d recommend massaging your scalp to increase circulation, and keeping your hair as clean as possible to avoid weighing it down.

5. Vitamin C
As an antioxidant, Vitamin C prevents free radical oxygen molecules from causing damage to surrounding cells, keeping the immune system strong. It protects the hair from turning grey prematurely by making sure that new hair cells are produced correctly. Stylecaster’s piece on Vitamin C’s beauty benefits emphasises how Vitamin C helps build collagen, which is vital for hair growth. Vitamin C also helps in the absorption of iron, which keeps the hair strong and healthy. As for skin benefits, Vitamin C moderates higher-than-normal doses of melanin, preventing and lightening dark marks and age spots.