As for hormonal imbalance, you might want to think about boosting your levels of antioxidants – so vitamin C, E, B1, and B2, as well as iodine and vitamin B6.
This, combined with a well-balanced diet, plenty of sleep and exercise, is a highly effective way of treating hair loss.
What are the best hair vitamins for shine?
“Shiny, strong hair comes from a blend of nutrients that support not just the hair but also your overall wellbeing,” says Tudor. Alongside the experts’ favourite, biotin, Tudor extols the benefits of vitamin C for hair health and improved shine. “It contributes to collagen production [and] is also essential for the absorption of iron. Without adequate iron levels hair can often become thin and brittle. Zinc helps repair damaged follicles and maintain a healthy scalp and silica is a mineral directly linked to hair strength and quality. A great way to think about hair health is to relate it to house plants. If they are not watered adequately they wilt and suffer, adversely if the soil is well nourished they will flourish.”
Thanks to hormonal changes that occur in women after a certain age, you might find yourself prioritising shine as hair becomes increasingly dull and brittle. “As women age, particularly after 40, the body’s ability to absorb and utilise nutrients can decline, which can affect hair health,” says Maguire. “Prioritising certain dietary choices can help improve hair quality, strength, and growth. Folic acid (B9) contributes to blood formation and immune function, indirectly nourishing hair follicles. Incorporating omega-3 fatty acids from fish, flaxseeds, or walnuts can further enhance thickness and shine. Vitamin D is crucial to preventing premature greying and thinning, yet many people are deficient in vitamin D, despite it being easily available from sunlight.”
What are the best vegan hair vitamins?
With all this talk of collagen and keratin, you’d be forgiven for thinking there are no vegan alternatives. But actually, there are plenty of excellent vegan options on the market.
How long do you need to take hair vitamins to see a difference?
If you are hoping for a quick fix when it comes to your hair goals, whether it be boosted shine, improved strength or reduced thinning, it is key to remember that patience and consistency are the most important elements. “Hair growth is a slow process,” says Tudor, and discernible differences can take anywhere between three months and a year to appear. “Growth phases of the hair work on three-month cycles, so you can see benefits from taking a supplement in as little as one month,” says Maguire, “but it may take up to three months as we can never know where we are in our growth phases when we start taking our supplements. If someone is vitamin D or vitamin B12 deficient, it may take a little bit longer, because some vitamins are a little bit like a debt, and until you’ve paid off your debt, you will not see an upward trajectory. Some scientists recommend you persevere for a year.”
How can you tell a quality hair vitamin?
Quality hair supplements start with quality ingredients, says Tudor. “Look for transparent labelling, with clinically proven nutrients in bioavailable forms that your body can easily absorb. Steer clear of supplements with fillers, artificial colours, or unnecessary additives.”
Read more: The best collagen supplements, according to experts and Vogue editors
