Finding a good hair supplement is usually a matter of understanding how the ingredients work and which ones are most important for your individual case. Major hair supplement brands have all been shown to be effective to some extent, but the differences in their formulas can really change the best choice for an individual because like azelaic acid skin treatments, hair supplements work by restoring a healthy balance to the body.
Breaking Down the Ingredients
Hair growth supplements work by addressing the underlying issues that lead to hair thinning and loss, including stress, nutritional imbalances, hormonal imbalances, and cell damage from environmental hazards like pollution or sunlight. The more complete the range of nutrients and helpful botanical extracts there are in a formula, the more likely it is to produce results for a wide range of people. There are also differences in what individuals need, though, and that can make some formulations better situationally. For example, men and women generally have different needs for biotin and pantothenic acid intake, although both sexes need both nutrients.
The most important ingredients and the most common are vitamins D and A, selenium, zinc, horsetail extract, and saw palmetto. You will find them in almost every clinically tested hair supplement. There are a lot more nutrients and compounds that can help, though.
- Marine collagen for additional protein
- Vitamins C and E for additional help with cell damage and protection
- Biotin and pantothenic acid specifically out of the B vitamins are most helpful
- Iron is a much-needed mineral for several bodily functions, including air and nail growth
Saw palmetto is a common herbal extract included in these formulations because of its ability to inhibit the overproduction of DHT, a hormone that can contribute to pattern hair loss if it gets out of balance. That is why it is so often included alongside these vital nutrients.
Differences in Results
The best hair supplements for women are all similar in formulation, but not identical. When you look at their testing and clinical results, most have an estimated time to see results in the three to six-month range. Some do act faster, with initial results in a month or two and full results in three to six months, and the difference tends to be how robust the formula is when it comes to complete nutrition for hair growth. Even the fastest-acting formula is a long-term treatment, though, because consistently providing the building blocks needed for healthy hair is an ongoing process.
Not everyone benefits the most from the widest formulation, though. It is worth noting that many hair supplements include vitamins that are also found in multivitamins and other health supplements. For those people, avoiding an overabundance of certain nutrients will be just as important as avoiding a shortfall.
For example, if you already take a supplement with a strong dose of biotin, then your choice in the biotin vs Nutrafol comparison will be different from someone who does not because you do not need a hair supplement that adds more. Keep that in mind as you start searching the best hair supplement for you.
