6 Vitamins & Nutrients To Boost Hair Growth, According To A Trichologist*

We've all desired thicker, longer, healthier hair at some point in our lifetimes. But the truth is, growing longer hair isn't so cut and dried. There's no simple equation or formula that will guarantee longer locks in weeks. In fact, there are a slew of factors that can affect your hair growth (or lack thereof). The good news is, there are also a variety of vitamins that experts say can, in fact, give you longer, stronger hair over time.* 

Whether you're simply looking to sport a new, longer 'do, your hair is naturally thinning, or you've seen some shedding uptake, don't fret. It's certainly possible to attain your length and thickness goals with the help of some mane-boosting vitamins for hair growth.*

We tapped a certified trichologist to get the scoop on these hair-boosting vitamins and how they work. And while you can reach for a hair growth supplement to reach your goals, incorporating these vitamins into your diet is beneficial, too.

When you think of vitamin C, brighter skin and strong immune systems are likely the first thing to come to mind.* But the truth is, it also has numerous hair benefits, too.

Vitamin E is a lipid-soluble antioxidant, a bioactive compound that is able to neutralize free radicals in the skin, hair, and body.*

"Depending on its purity and source, vitamin E can be great for reducing free radicals, improving collagen, and reducing oxidative stress in the scalp," Gaunitz says, "which in turn enhances hair growth." In fact, one study found that after taking vitamin E supplements for eight months, participants experienced 34% of increased hair growth1.* 

Although vitamin is in the name, Gaunitz says vitamin D3 is not actually a vitamin but a hormone (in its active form). Either way, he believes it's critical for hair growth.* In fact, insufficient levels of vitamin D2 have been linked to hair shedding.

Alarmingly, almost all Americans are failing to consume just 400 I.U. of vitamin D from their daily diet, and clinical vitamin D insufficiency persists in almost half of the population—41%3, to be exact. 

"Vitamin D3 directly interacts with hair follicles, and when D3 levels aren't optimal, it can decrease the volume of hair on the scalp and throughout the body,"* Gaunitz says. 

While there are more studies needed to prove the effectiveness of this essential B vitamin for the health of hair, there is some research that finds a connection between folic acid and hair growth.*

Folic acid's main purpose is to generate new cells, which can have an effect on the keratinization of hair during the hair growth phase, Gaunitz says.*

According to Gaunitz, iron is the most critical mineral for the hair.* "Ferritin is your iron storage protein, and when that is low because you don't have enough iron regularly input into your diet, your hair volume will decline to compensate for your body's need for iron.” Uh-oh is right. 

Hair growth and health are influenced by many factors—both internal and external. So hair growth in general is a complicated topic, as well as finding a solution. That being said, many people swear by hair vitamins and supplements to help support hair health overall.* 

Now, the theory behind hair supplements really comes down to internal structural support. Hair is made up of keratin4, a type of protein that consists of about 18 amino acids5 including cysteine, proline, threonine, leucine, and arginine. This is why many hair supplements include amino acids or collagen peptides in their mix.

And like most processes in the body, the production of keratin is heavily influenced by free radical damage and oxidative stress—both of which can be eased or neutralized by antioxidants.*

So theoretically ingesting key nutrients and bioactives can support the synthesis and protection of hair.* But ultimately, clinical studies using supplements in healthy populations are hard to find.

We always recommend using hair vitamins as one part of a larger, holistic hair routine. For example, you should identify and address any root causes of shedding, such as stress. You can also utilize topicals (like these hair growth serums and products) alongside supplements to optimize results.