If you’re hoping to restore volume and strength to your hair or struggling with hair loss, you’ve probably wondered about the best vitamins for hair growth. Dr. Hardik Doshi, a leading hair restoration surgeon at Ample, explains that hair loss can have many causes—including nutritional deficiencies. The first step should be improving your diet with essential vitamins and minerals to support healthy hair and reduce shedding.
“If you’re thinking about supplements, it’s best to consult a doctor first,” he advises. “They can help determine what you need, check for potential risks, and ensure supplements won’t interfere with any medications or health conditions.”
But if you’re ready to explore options, here are some expert-approved vitamins to consider:
### Vogue’s Top Hair Growth Vitamins:
– Best Overall: Nutrafol Hair Growth Supplements, $88
– Best Gummy: Vegamour Gro Biotin Gummies, $36
– Best for Digestion: Wellbel Clean Supplement for Hair, Skin, and Nails, $68
– Best With Biotin: Grande Cosmetics Vegan Collagen Hair Vitamin Gummies, $30
– Best With Probiotics: Love Wellness Healthy Hair Probiotics, $25
– Best for Stress-Related Hair Loss: Divi Hair Vitamins, $68
– Best for Hair Restoration: Viviscal Hair Growth Supplements, $34
– Best for Iron Deficiencies: Slow Fe Iron Supplement, $17
– Best With Ashwagandha: Moon Juice SuperHair Vitamins, $60
### What You Need to Know:
– Do hair growth vitamins work?
– Which vitamins help with thinning hair?
– Who should take these supplements, and how?
– Can vitamin deficiencies cause hair loss?
– Are there any side effects?
– How long until results appear?
– How to choose the right vitamin for you?
– When should you see a doctor about hair loss?
### Best Overall: Nutrafol Hair Growth Vitamins
Price: $88
Why We Like It: Nutrafol is a top dermatologist-recommended brand. “It’s plant-based, science-backed, and supports overall hair health,” says dermatologist Dr. Jennifer Gordon. The women’s formula is clinically tested for ages 18–44.
How to Use: Take four capsules daily.
Results: Visible in 3–6 months.
Key Ingredients: Saw palmetto, ashwagandha, organic maca root.
Pros: 100% vegan, clinically proven.
Cons: Takes time to see results.
### Best Gummy: Vegamour Biotin Gummies
Price: $36
Why We Like It: These vegan gummies contain MCT oil for stress relief and antioxidants. “They’re clean, easy to take, and taste great,” says Gordon.
How to Use: One gummy daily.
Results: Visible in 3–4 months.
Key Ingredients: Biotin, folic acid, vitamins A, B-5, C, E, B6, B12.
Pros: Tasty, only one gummy per day.
Cons: Not ideal if you dislike gummies.
### Best for Digestion: Wellbel Vegan Hair Supplement
Price: $68
Why We Like It: Recommended by functional nutrition and hormone experts… (text continues as needed)Here’s the rewritten text in clear, natural English:
—
Alisa Vitti on Wellbel’s Herbal Blend
Wellbel’s herbal blend includes ingredients like saw palmetto, which is especially helpful for women dealing with hair loss linked to androgens. What makes it unique is the addition of Betaine HCL, which aids protein absorption in people with low stomach acid—a surprisingly common issue. Low stomach acid can lead to problems like brittle nails, slow hair growth, anxiety, trouble digesting meat, bloating after meals, and increasing food sensitivities. “If you think you have low stomach acid, Wellbel could be a great option,” she says.
How to Use: Take three capsules once daily.
When to Expect Results: Visible changes within 90 days.
Key Ingredients: Saw palmetto fruit extract, stinging nettle leaf, PABA, Betaine HCL.
Love It
✔ Supports skin and nail renewal
✔ Vegan and gluten-free
✔ Can mix powder from capsules into smoothies or juice
Leave It
✖ Requires taking three capsules daily
—
Best with Biotin: Grande Cosmetics Vegan Collagen Gummies
Price: $30 at ULTA
Why We Like It: These cute pink heart-shaped gummies taste delicious and pack a punch with biotin (vitamin B7) and collagen. According to Doshi, these ingredients “may improve skin and hair health,” but he advises against exceeding the daily dose. “While biotin supports hair and nails, extra won’t give added benefits.”
How to Use: Take two gummies daily, with or without food.
When to Expect Results: Around 45 days.
Key Ingredients: Biotin, folic acid, vitamin C, zinc.
Love It
✔ Boosts natural collagen production
✔ No artificial sweeteners
✔ Tastes like citrus candy
Leave It
✖ Some find the texture chalky
—
Best Probiotic: Love Wellness Healthy Hair Probiotics
Price: $25 at LOVE WELLNESS
Why We Like It: This supplement combines probiotics with vitamins B12, B6, and biotin. While more research is needed on probiotics for hair loss, this formula includes AnaGain Nu, a clinically tested protein that targets causes like hormones, stress, and environmental factors.
How to Use: Take one capsule daily, with or without food.
When to Expect Results: 4-8 weeks of consistent use.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin B12, vitamin B6, biotin.
Love It
✔ Addresses shedding, growth, and dullness
✔ Includes pea protein and essential vitamins
✔ Only one capsule per day
Leave It
✖ High biotin may cause reactions for some
—
Best for Stress-Related Hair Loss: Divi Hair Vitamins
Price: $51 at AMAZON (originally $68)
Why We Like It: Sometimes, collagen and hope aren’t enough. Divi’s vitamins feature KSM-66 ashwagandha root extract and a blend of arginine silicate and magnesium biotinate to strengthen hair. They’re also free from common allergens like dairy, nuts, and gluten.
How to Use: Take four capsules daily with food.
When to Expect Results: After 90 days of regular use.
Key Ingredients: KSM-66 ashwagandha root extract, arginine silicate, magnesium biotinate.
Love It
✔ Works for all hair types
✔ Uses beadlet tech for better absorption
Leave It
✖ Four large pills daily may be inconvenient
—
Best for Hair Restoration: Viviscal Hair Growth Supplements
Price: $34 at AMAZON
Why We Like It: Viviscal is known for its powerful mix of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that support hair growth. Doshi explains, “Ingredients like biotin, iron, zinc, vitamin C, and a marine protein complex in Viviscal are believed to improve hair health.”
—
Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!Here’s the rewritten text in clear, natural English:
—
Additionally, clinical studies support claims of thicker, fuller hair.
How to Use: Take two pills daily.
When to Expect Results: After 90 days of consistent use.
Key Ingredients: Zinc, vitamin C, iron, and niacin.
Love It
– Drug-free formula
– Suitable for all hair types
– Clinically proven solution
Leave It
– Not recommended for those with seafood allergies
—
### Best With Ashwagandha: Moon Juice SuperHair Vitamins
Price: $60 at Nordstrom
Why We Like It:
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Teresa Song recommends Moon Juice for hair growth. “It contains a multivitamin complex plus adaptogens like ashwagandha and ginseng to relieve stress,” she says. While the exact formula is proprietary, the brand confirms it includes bioavailable vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K to address nutritional deficiencies. It also helps balance stress hormones—a major benefit in today’s busy world.
How to Use: Take four capsules daily.
When to Expect Results: Visible results in as little as four weeks.
Key Ingredients: Multi-vitamin complex, ashwagandha, ginseng, horsetail, saw palmetto.
Love It
– Tackles nutritional deficiencies affecting hair
– Vegan, gluten-free formula
– Ingredients tested for pesticides, heavy metals, and more
Leave It
– May cause mild nausea if taken on an empty stomach
—
### Best for Iron Deficiencies: Slow Fe Iron Supplement
Price: $17 at Amazon
Why We Like It:
Dr. Pooja Rambhia, a board-certified dermatologist, explains that iron is crucial for delivering oxygen to hair follicles. Low iron levels—common in premenopausal women—often lead to thinning hair. “Correcting iron deficiency can restore hair density,” she says, recommending Slow Fe. Its slow-release iron (ferrous sulfate) is gentler on digestion, reducing irritation and constipation.
How to Use: Take one tablet daily.
When to Expect Results: Visible results in three to four months.
Key Ingredients: Iron.
Love It
– Gentle on digestion
– Easy-to-swallow tablets
Leave It
– Contains artificial dyes
—
### The Nue Co. Growth Phase Hair Supplement
Price: $65 at The Nue Co.
Why We Like It:
Clinically tested to boost hair growth by 40%, this supplement blends vitamins, plant extracts, and Biovabio (a chicken eggshell membrane extract). Dr. Gordon notes that Biovabio helps reduce breakage and shedding while strengthening hair. “The plant extracts, like reishi mushrooms, contain stress-reducing adaptogens that support healthy growth,” she says. Results take up to four months, but reduced shedding makes it worth the wait.
How to Use: Take three tablets every morning with food.
When to Expect Results: Visible results in four months.
Key Ingredients: Growth complex, folate, biotin.
Love It
– Drug-free formula
– Promotes eyelash and eyebrow growth
– Made with bioavailable nutrients
Leave It
– Takes four months to see results
—
### BodyBio Balance Oil
Price: $37 at Amazon
Why We Like It:
Dr. Kim’s favorite, BodyBio specializes in supplements for cellular health, particularly cell membrane integrity. Their Balance Oil is great for those who dislike pills or want to avoid sugary gummies. It not only improves hair and skin but also supports brain function and mood.
—
Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!For Your Hair and Heart
You don’t need a cabinet full of supplements—this one does it all. Its power comes from a special mix of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, including DHA and EPA. “Omega-3s, especially EPA and DHA from fish oil, have anti-inflammatory effects that can help unclog hair follicles and encourage growth,” says Dr. Kim.
How to Use: Take ½ teaspoon daily with food.
When to Expect Results: Varies by individual.
Key Ingredients: DHA, omega-6, omega-3, flaxseed oil, safflower seed oil
Pros:
✔ No artificial colors, sweeteners, or preservatives
✔ Can be mixed into dressings or smoothies
✔ Unflavored
Cons:
✖ Must be refrigerated and used within three months
—
### Do Hair Growth Vitamins Really Work?
Hair growth is complex and varies by person, often requiring multiple approaches. “[These vitamins] can be helpful—especially if you’re deficient in amino acids, omega fatty acids, or other nutrients needed for hair growth,” says Dr. Gordon. Many supplements also contain plant extracts that mimic hair-growth medications or address hormonal shifts and stress.
However, as Vitti notes, more vitamins don’t always mean more hair. Your body flushes excess nutrients, and gut issues can hinder absorption. Results take time (3–6 months), and stress-related hair loss can create a frustrating cycle. Focus on overall health if adding these to your routine.
—
### Best Vitamins & Ingredients for Thinning Hair
Drs. Gordon and Kim highlight common deficiencies linked to hair loss: iron, vitamin D, B vitamins, and amino acids (protein). Key ingredients they recommend:
– Saw Palmetto: Blocks DHT (a hormone tied to hair loss). Discuss with your doctor.
– Ashwagandha: Reduces stress and breakage while supporting growth.
– Tocotrienol: Boosts hair density.
– Curcumin: Lowers DHT levels.
– Collagen: May improve hair strength, skin, and nails (research ongoing).
– Biotin: Popular but lacks strong evidence. High doses may cause acne or skew lab results.
– Minoxidil: A topical treatment that extends hair’s growth phase. Works for pattern baldness but requires consistent use.
– Zinc: Supports oil gland function and follicle health, preventing shedding.
– Omega-3 & Omega-6 Fatty Acids: Reduce inflammation, nourish hair, and add shine.
Note: Always consult a healthcare provider before starting new supplements.For skin and hair health, these vitamins help maintain the scalp’s barrier function, keeping it hydrated and reducing inflammation. A healthy scalp is essential for strong hair growth.
Vitamin A: Essential for cell growth, including hair cells, vitamin A also helps the scalp produce sebum—a natural oil that moisturizes the scalp and keeps hair healthy. However, too much vitamin A can cause hair loss, so moderation is key.
Vitamin C: A powerful antioxidant, vitamin C protects hair follicles from oxidative stress. It also supports collagen production, which strengthens hair structure.
Vitamin D: This vitamin aids in creating new hair follicles and may prevent thinning and hair loss. While sunlight is a natural source, supplements may be necessary for those with deficiencies.
### Who should take these supplements, and what’s the best way to consume them?
If your daily habits—like caffeine intake, medication use, alcohol consumption, stress, dieting, or intense exercise—deplete your micronutrient levels, supplements can help replenish them. Most people can safely take these supplements, but formulations should ideally vary based on gender, age, and other factors. If you’re trying to conceive or are pregnant, certain ingredients should be avoided.
### Which vitamin deficiencies may cause hair loss?
Vitamin D and B deficiencies are commonly linked to hair loss. While not always the direct cause, they are vital for hair growth. Other important factors to check include blood counts (to rule out anemia) and thyroid function.
Key deficiencies associated with hair loss:
– Iron Deficiency: Essential for red blood cell production, which delivers oxygen to hair follicles. Low iron can lead to thinning or hair loss, especially in women due to menstrual blood loss. Good sources include red meat and leafy greens like spinach.
– Vitamin D Deficiency: Slows hair growth or causes hair loss. Sunlight is the best natural source—aim for 15–20 minutes of early morning or late afternoon sun. Supplements with magnesium (to activate vitamin D) can also help.
– Zinc Deficiency: Needed for tissue growth and repair, including hair. Low levels may cause thinning or hair loss.
– Biotin (Vitamin B7) Deficiency: Supports keratin production, the protein that makes up hair. A deficiency can lead to brittle hair and hair loss.
– Protein Deficiency: Since hair is mostly protein, inadequate intake weakens hair and increases shedding.
– Iodine Deficiency: Affects thyroid hormone production, which regulates hair growth. Low iodine can lead to hypothyroidism and hair loss.
### Are there any side effects?
(Note: The original text was cut off here. If you’d like, you can provide the rest for a complete rewrite.)What should you be aware of?
“There are always potential side effects,” says Gordon, stressing the importance of sourcing botanicals from reputable suppliers due to limited research. While many botanicals target dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which could lead to low testosterone side effects, such cases are uncommon. Excessive biotin intake may cause acne and should be stopped before certain blood tests to prevent skewed results. Iron supplements can lead to constipation, and collagen may cause diarrhea or stomach discomfort in some people.
How long do hair growth vitamins take to work?
“Hair growth is slow—typically about half an inch per month,” explains Kim. Hair growth vitamins, often containing biotin, vitamin D, zinc, and other nutrients, support the body’s natural hair cycle. However, results vary based on genetics, gut health, hormonal imbalances (like PCOS), thyroid function, diet, and stress. With the right approach, some may notice improved texture and less shedding in weeks, while significant growth and thicker hair can take three to six months. Consistency is key—stopping supplements or neglecting underlying issues like hormone imbalances can reverse progress.
How should you choose the right hair growth vitamin?
Select vitamins based on your specific needs. Song recommends first identifying potential causes of thinning, such as nutrient deficiencies, stress, or hormonal issues. “Look for well-rounded ingredients, like a multivitamin with vitamin D, zinc, and iron,” she advises. Consult a healthcare professional for guidance, especially if the cause of hair loss is unclear. Always choose reputable brands with clinical evidence backing their effectiveness.
When should you see a doctor about hair loss?
Some hair shedding is normal—up to 100 strands daily, says Song. However, seek medical advice if hair loss is sudden or severe (clumps falling out, bald patches, or noticeable thinning in certain areas). Scalp issues like itching, pain, or flaking may also require treatment. See a doctor if hair loss comes with fatigue or weakness, as blood tests may be needed to check for underlying conditions. If self-treatment shows no improvement after 3–6 months, a dermatologist’s evaluation is recommended.
Meet the Experts
– Dr. Hardik Doshi: Double board-certified plastic surgeon, lead hair restoration surgeon at Ample.
– Dr. Jennifer Gordon: Board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology.
– Alisa Vitti, HHC, AADP: Functional nutrition and women’s hormone expert, founder of FLO Living.
– Dr. John Kim: Functional medicine pharmacist, founder of Dr. Kim Wellness in New Jersey.
– Dr. Pooja Rambhia: Board-certified dermatologist with fellowship training in cosmetic dermatology and laser surgery at Union Derm (NYC & Greenwich, CT).
– Dr. Teresa Song: Board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York.