Hair Loss Supplements: The Good, The Bad - and the Useless

Hair loss supplements – what helps, what harms?

This is part one of a two-part series where we explore the evidence behind supplements used for different types of hair loss. 

From biotin and vitamin D to iron, zinc, and selenium - what does the research actually say? We look at what might support hair growth, what’s ineffective, and what could even be harmful or potentially linked to cancer.

 

 

Citations:

Aksac SE, Bilgili SG, Yavuz GO, Yavuz IH, Aksac M, Karadag AS. Evaluation of biophysical skin parameters and hair changes in patients with acne vulgaris treated with isotretinoin, and the effect of biotin use on these parameters. Int J Dermatol. 2021 Aug;60(8):980-985. doi: 10.1111/ijd.15485. 

 

Schulpis KH, Georgala S, Papakonstantinou ED, Michas T, Karikas GA. The effect of isotretinoin on biotinidase activity. Skin Pharmacol Appl Skin Physiol. 1999 Jan-Apr;12(1-2):28-33. doi: 10.1159/000029843.

 

Patel DP, Swink SM, Castelo-Soccio L. A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss. Skin Appendage Disord. 2017 Aug;3(3):166-169. doi: 10.1159/000462981. Epub 2017 Apr 27.

 

Mock DM. Adequate intake of biotin in pregnancy: why bother? J Nutr. 2014 Dec;144(12):1885-6. doi: 10.3945/jn.114.203356. Epub 2014 Oct 15.

 

Perry CA, West AA, Gayle A, Lucas LK, Yan J, Jiang X, Malysheva O, Caudill MA. Pregnancy and lactation alter biomarkers of biotin metabolism in women consuming a controlled diet. J Nutr. 2014 Dec;144(12):1977-84. doi: 10.3945/jn.114.194472. Epub 2014 Aug 13.

 

Almohanna HM, Ahmed AA, Tsatalis JP, Tosti A. The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2019 Mar;9(1):51-70. doi: 10.1007/s13555-018-0278-6.

 

Lee S, Kim BJ, Lee CH, Lee WS. Increased prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with alopecia areata: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018 Jul;32(7):1214-1221. doi: 10.1111/jdv.14987.

 

Vinton NE, Dahlstrom KA, Strobel CT, Ament ME. Macrocytosis and pseudoalbinism: manifestations of selenium deficiency. J Pediatr. 1987 Nov;111(5):711-7. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(87)80247-0.

 

Yavuz IH, Yavuz GO, Bilgili SG, Demir H, Demir C. Assessment of Heavy Metal and Trace Element Levels in Patients with Telogen Effluvium. Indian J Dermatol. 2018 May-Jun;63(3):246-250. doi: 10.4103/ijd.IJD_610_17.

 

Klein EA, Thompson IM Jr, Tangen CM, Crowley JJ, Lucia MS, Goodman PJ, Minasian LM, Ford LG, Parnes HL, Gaziano JM, Karp DD, Lieber MM, Walther PJ, Klotz L, Parsons JK, Chin JL, Darke AK, Lippman SM, Goodman GE, Meyskens FL Jr, Baker LH. Vitamin E and the risk of prostate cancer: the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT). JAMA. 2011 Oct 12;306(14):1549-56. doi: 10.1001/jama.2011.1437.

 

 

Kristal AR, Darke AK, Morris JS, Tangen CM, Goodman PJ, Thompson IM, Meyskens FL Jr, Goodman GE, Minasian LM, Parnes HL, Lippman SM, Klein EA. Baseline selenium status and effects of selenium and vitamin e supplementation on prostate cancer risk. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2014 Mar;106(3):djt456. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djt456. Epub 2014 Feb 22.

 

 

Kil MS, Kim CW, Kim SS. Analysis of serum zinc and copper concentrations in hair loss. Ann Dermatol. 2013 Nov;25(4):405-9. doi: 10.5021/ad.2013.25.4.405. Epub 2013 Nov 30.

 

Thompson JM, Mirza MA, Park MK, Qureshi AA, Cho E. The Role of Micronutrients in Alopecia Areata: A Review. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2017 Oct;18(5):663-679. doi: 10.1007/s40257-017-0285-x.

 

Samadi A, Ketabi Y, Firooz R, Firooz A. Efficacy of intramuscular injections of biotin and dexpanthenol in the treatment of diffuse hair loss: A randomized, double-blind controlled study comparing two brands. Dermatol Ther. 2022 Sep;35(9):e15695. doi: 10.1111/dth.15695. Epub 2022 Jul 15.