Best Supplements for Hair Growth and Thickness

Thinning hair, hair loss and even brittle hair breakage are common issues that many of us will face at some point in our lifetime. We typically lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day, and usually without realising but sometimes hair loss can feel like more of a problem. It can leave us with thinning hair, hair loss patches and even baldness, all of which can make us feel self conscious and lacking in confidence.

Many people think of hair loss as a male problem, but it also affects at least a third of women. According to the NHS, around 8 million women in the UK experience hair loss and research suggests that around a third of women will be affected at some point in their lives.

Biotin is a B-vitamin, also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H, and it is often touted for its potential benefits in promoting hair growth and overall hair health as well as being great for the skin and nails too.

It’s one of the most common ingredients found in hair growth products, and for those suffering with a biotin deficiency it can be helpful to take a supplement or hair vitamins that help restore healthy hair growth.

Vitamin D plays a significant role in overall health, including the health of your hair. While it's not a direct cause of hair loss or thinning, a deficiency in vitamin D can contribute to hair issues.

Vitamin D supplements are essential for scalp care since they can keep the scalp skin moisturised and could reduce dryness and itchiness, which can come with its own issues for our hair. Having enough vitamin D can also prevent brittle hair by ensuring that the new follicles produce stronger and thicker hair, which can make your hair feel less fine and brittle and improve its appearance too.

Vitamin A is essential for the production of sebum, an oily substance that helps keep hair and scalp moisturised and helps prevent dryness, flakiness, and hair breakage. This can make our hair feel thicker and fuller.

Vitamin A is also one of the hardworking minerals in our bodies that boosts cell growth and repair, including those in the hair follicles which help us to grow healthy and shiny hair.

Not just for hair, Vitamin A is also an essential nutrient that plays a role in maintaining overall health too so taking a supplement to boost it can come with additional benefits too.

Omega-3s, found in fish oil or flaxseed oil, can help maintain a healthy scalp and hair. They can support a healthy scalp by reducing inflammation and improving circulation, as well as strengthening the hair follicles, to produce strong and thick hair.. Not just this but they can help keep the hair shaft well hydrated and nourished, with well moisturised hair being less likely to break or become brittle.

It's important to note that while omega-3 fatty acids can support hair health and thickness, the results may not be immediate. Hair growth is a slow process, and it can take several months to notice significant improvements so it’s important to maintain a healthy diet including the intake of vitamins and minerals such as Omega-3s.

Zinc is essential for hair growth and repair, as well as playing a huge role in the body’s immune system. Zinc is essential for hair growth and the maintenance of hair follicles, and having enough zinc levels in the body will promote healthy hair growth. A deficiency of zinc can lead to hair loss, so taking a supplement with zinc may be beneficial.

Zinc plays a role in regulating sebum production in the scalp, which leaves the scalp and hair moisturised and stops dryness and hair breakage. As well as being vital for the scalp, it also helps form the protein keratin, which is one of the primary structural components of our hair. Boosting our levels of zinc can mean stronger and healthier hair thanks to this protein, as well as making it smoother too!

When your hair is feeling brittle or weak then taking a supplement can be a good idea so that it can help strengthen, and in turn boost its growth and thickness.

Whether it's a general multivitamin or specific hair vitamins, there are many ways to improve the feel of your hair whether that’s preventing breakage, helping it to grow quicker or to feel thicker and shinier.

Taking a supplement can be a good idea to help strengthen and improve your hair, but be patient as they can sometimes take several months before you notice a difference in hair thickness and growth.

As well as taking supplements and improving diet, having a healthy hair care routine including limiting hair damage and using aids like silk hair ties or a satin pillowcase can also be helpful.