So far in our “Heads Up! Women’s hair rejuvenation solutions for thinning hair” series, we have shared info about three non-surgical solutions for hair thinning or loss: Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy, Low Level Laser Therapy, and some of our top picks for topical treatment products. Today I am going to expand a bit on the positive benefits of specific vitamin supplements that can actually improve the condition of thinning hair. By adding supplements and/or by making some changes to your diet to boost the intake of certain vitamins you may be lacking, you’ll be able to supply your hair follicles with the specific nutrients that nourish and promote healthy hair strands.
Let’s face it – many women struggle with getting enough vitamins through the foods they eat. I’ve met with a lot of patients over the years who can’t even remember the last time they ate a piece of fruit or some leafy greens. The good news is that a lack of proper nutrients can be addressed through dietary changes and there are vitamins that can be taken in liquid or capsule form if one’s diet alone isn’t enough.
Our staff at Medi Tresse believe that the most important supplements for healthier hair are biotin, zinc, and copper. You’ve probably heard or read about biotin – it’s been a pretty popular topic of discussion in articles having to do with achieving glossy, lengthier locks. Biotin can be found in many foods like liver, eggs, yeast, yogurt, salmon and tuna. However, some women’s diets can be deficient in biotin, particularly vegetarians or vegans. Low biotin intake can be associated with skin inflammation and alopecia, or hair loss. A simple solution is to just take a supplement daily. Zinc is essential for immune function, wound healing, and hormone function. Deficiencies in zinc can lead to dry skin as well as generalized hair loss. However, increasing zinc intake can increase the risk of copper deficiency, so depending on the patient, we may also recommend adding a copper supplement to balance the zinc/copper ratio in the body. Copper is an anti-inflammatory mineral which benefits the body in many ways, including helping to stimulate hair regrowth and – get this – it may actually help prevent grey hair too!
There are also many antioxidant vitamins that can help strengthen thinning hair. Deficiencies of Vitamin A can lead to destruction of hair follicles, but talk to a medical practitioner to figure out the proper amount for you, since too much Vitamin A can have a negative effect. Vitamin E is a strong antioxidant which protects cells from destruction. It is essential in wound healing and also works to keep skin and hair healthy. Lastly, Vitamin C is essential in collagen and cell formation and individuals with low Vitamin C intake will experience impaired hair growth resulting in thinner, more fragile hair. All three of these vitamins support cell growth and their anti-inflammatory properties help maintain a healthy environment for healthy hair regrowth and rejuvenation.
At Medi Tresse we believe that a well-balanced diet full of natural nutrients is needed for overall good health, but if your diet is not complete or if you have a medical condition which makes this impossible you may benefit from supplements. The best thing to do is to work with a medical professional to determine if there’s a chance you could be deficient in certain vitamins. Even if you think you already eat pretty healthy or remember your vitamin levels were fine the last time they were checked over a year ago, make sure to bring it up with a pro, just in case.
If you want to learn more about any of our recommended non-surgical solutions to help treat thinning hair, call us to make an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about our hair regrowth treatments here.
Posted by Your Medi Tresse Team
