You’ve probably heard of hair vitamins, or hair supplements. They are basically a support for your hair. But… What do they actually do? And what do they definitely NOT do?

We have put together this small piece to debunk some of the most common myths about hair vitamins, and to properly inform you about what these little pills can actually do for you and your locks.

First off, what are Hair Vitamins?

Hair vitamins are supplements that benefit your hair health. They may help improve hair growth, shine, thickness, and strength. And what are they made of? Most products you will find include nutrients such as biotin, vitamins C and E, collagen, folic acid, and omega-3 fatty acids.

You may have also heard of Saw Palmetto, a popular herbal remedy used to prevent hair loss. You can find it in oral supplements and hair care products, like shampoos and conditioners. While there’s still not enough evidence on how well it works to prevent hair loss, it’s been on the rise for the last 3 years causing more research on its effectiveness to be conducted.

Iron supplements have become popular too, as iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen to your cells, making it an important mineral for many bodily functions, including hair growth. Iron deficiency, which causes anemia, is a major cause of hair loss especially in women.

And not to mention Zinc, which plays an important role in hair tissue growth and repair. When someone has a zinc deficiency, hair loss is usually present. In this case, taking zinc supplements may reduce deficiency-related hair loss.

But Biotin, or the “beauty vitamin” (because of its incredible results on hair, skin and nail growth and strengthening) is the key player in making sure that proteins are metabolized in your hair roots. And what is hair made up? Mostly keratin protein. So boosting your diet with it is a sure step to healthier, glowing hair.

Now, let’s get straight into the hair vitamin myths.

Myth #1: They Don’t Work

You will hear this one A LOT. From our hair expertise background we can assure you that they DO work. But… Like any other hair care product, they require consistency and patience.

Once you start to take hair supplements it might take up to 90 days for results to begin showing. Why? Simply because it’s something new, and your body needs some time to get used to the new nutrients. And when you think about how confident you will feel when your hair looks healthier and gorgeous, a few months is so worth it.

While you wait though, there are other fabulous hair products you can use to complement your fuller hair look. Using products like hair fibers to conceal thinning areas will make you feel much more confident, and ease out of the vicious stress cycle that is the main cause of hair loss.

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Myth #2: Your Hair Will Grow… Everywhere

Ooohh how much we’ve heard this one. Women, mostly, think that taking hair vitamins will make the hair in their sideburns and mustache grow. Wrong! This will definitely not happen. Why? Because hair vitamins specifically target hair follicles on your head.

Additionally, the hair on your body has a shorter growing phase and a much longer resting phase. Your scalp hair’s cycle is the complete opposite. So no worries gal, no Sasquatch vibes await you.

Myth #3: They Will Cause Acne

While it’s possible that some people may experience breakouts while taking hair vitamins, it’s usually because they are taking high doses of biotin. Usually way more than the recommended dose, which is between 2,500 and 5,000 mcg per day.

Still, there is very little evidence to show that biotin is the main cause of these breakouts. In most cases, these breakouts have a deeper cause like age, hormones, stress, or lifestyle habits. However, when breakouts do happen, they clear up fast just as the body gets used to the new nutrients.

Our Final Scoop

Because poor hair health is related to nutrient deficiencies, taking hair supplements may indeed improve your hair quality. When you manage a diet low in calories, fat, or protein,  boosting your intake of these may most definitely do the trick.

Hair vitamins help to control hair loss by making your hair stronger and healthier, rather than directly stimulating hair growth. Look at it this way: Preventing and controlling hair loss can, in turn, promote hair growth.

So in conclusion, supplements for hair growth cannot be considered a myth, but you need to be extremely patient to see the results. Wait 10-12 weeks. And you will be loving your hair again.