There are so many hair health products out there it can be hard to sift through the false claims and lofty promises. To guarantee your hair stays as healthy and voluminous as possible, it’s essential to start by ensuring you’re receiving the proper nutrients. If you’re losing your hair rapidly, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor as it may be a sign of a medical condition. In the meantime, eat a balanced diet and check out your supplement cabinet to ensure you get all the nutrients your hair needs.
- Collagen
You’ve probably heard that collagen is an essential nutrient for skincare, but it has a profound effect on your hair, too; it’s absolutely vital for maintaining healthy hair and reducing shedding. You consume collagen when you eat meat, fish, or eggs, but it’s also a good idea to add a supplement. Collagen comes in many forms, such as powder, pills, liquid, and gummies. You may be wondering: How does liquid collagen work compared to powdered? Are capsules or gummies more effective? It doesn’t matter. As long as you’re consuming it daily, the collagen will go to work fortifying your strands from the inside so they’re resistant to everyday stresses that lead to hair fallout.
- Biotin
Biotin is a powerhouse for growing long, healthy hair. Also known as vitamin B7, biotin helps your body break down carbohydrates and fats more efficiently. In addition to encouraging hair growth, biotin does wonders for your skin and nails too. Carrots, eggs, and almonds are great natural sources of biotin, but a supplement will give you an extra boost. There are tons of biotin pills, gummies, and liquids on the market; try to grab one that says “hair, skin, and nails” somewhere on the bottle to ensure you’re getting the most significant benefit for your money.
- Vitamin E
A powerful antioxidant with many beneficial properties for healthy hair, vitamin E is a must-have nutrient if your hair is thinning or severely damaged. Vitamin E promotes blood flow to the scalp and hair follicles, stimulating them to grow. It also helps to smooth and nourish the hair cuticle, effectively repairing your hair from the inside out and making your strands less susceptible to breakage and damage. Various seeds and nuts, avocados, and butternut squash all deliver high doses of the vitamin, but many supplements also contain vitamin E.
- Keratin
Your hair, skin, and nails are built of many proteins–chief among these is keratin. Salons offer many types of keratin treatments that smooth and nourish hair by adding it to the outside and sealing it in. These treatments are fabulous for the short term but don’t solve the lingering problem if you need more keratin in your diet. Check out a “hair, skin, and nails” supplement as mentioned above, and chances are keratin will be a main ingredient. Be careful, though–if you take much more than your daily allowance for an extended period, you could build up too much protein in your body. Follow the label and take only the recommended amount, and check with your doctor if you have any additional concerns.
- Iron
Iron is a vital mineral that enables the blood to carry oxygen and nutrients to every body system, including your scalp and hair follicles. If you’re not getting enough iron, your hair follicles won’t work to their full potential, and you could experience shedding or even decreased growth. Iron is found naturally in foods such as red meat, spinach, and broccoli, but there are also many supplements on the market if you want to be sure you’re getting the proper amount.
Proper nutrition may be to blame if your hair is thinning, damaged, or looks dull and listless. Be sure to eat a balanced diet, and fill in the gaps with extra supplements. Before you know it, you’ll be well on your way to shiny, voluminous, and healthy hair.