How to choose vitamins for hair

Brittleness, fragility, loss – signals that curls need enhanced nutrition. We tell you what to eat and drink to restore strength and shine to strands, and what hair vitamins to pay attention to.

Why hair needs vitamins

They are necessary for the hair to be beautiful and healthy, and our body releases vitamins and minerals to the hair according to the residual principle. Anything left after the needs of the heart or lungs are satisfied is good. It will not remain – well, until the next time: hair does not participate in vital processes, they will suffer.

It is no wonder that hair often starves. And this affects their condition: with such provision, they look faded, lifeless, break and split, the scalp becomes dry, there is a feeling of discomfort. According to dermatocosmetologist, trichologist Maria Nevskaya, in order to remedy the situation, you need a balanced, varied diet, rich in vitamins and minerals to strengthen hair. If there are not enough nutrients, it would be good to discuss with your doctor the intake of vitamin complexes. “The main vitamins for skin, hair and nails are in groups B and D,” says Maria. – The former are involved in the synthesis of proteins, including keratin, the structural protein of hair. With its deficiency, they begin to fall out. And vitamin D, among other things, is involved in the metabolism of estrogen – the main stimulator and activator of hair growth in women.

The main vitamins for hair health are D and group B.

How effective are cosmetics with vitamins in their composition?

Of course, to cope with the lack of vitamins, you need to take them orally (eat or drink). It is better to choose a suitable complex together with a doctor. But cosmetics with vitamins, including shampoos, balms, masks and ampoules, will be a great help for curls:
  • will help strengthen the hair from the very roots;

  • makes hair smoother, stronger and more elastic;

  • make them shine.

Below are vitamin hair products that are preferred by the Healthy-Food editors.

Shampoo-transformation “Dream Length” for long damaged hair, L’Oréal Paris

The formula with keratin, vitamin B5 and castor oil is ideal for long damaged hair: the shampoo helps restore hair, makes it shiny and easier to comb.

Mask Elseve “Ultra strength” Power Mask against hair loss, L’Oréal Paris

This multi-functional product is free of silicones but rich in biotin, arginine and vitamin B5 for hair growth. “Ultrastrength” can be used both as a mask to strengthen hair and as a leave-in care – it perfectly nourishes and protects hair from falling out due to brittleness.

Mask for color-treated hair with sunflower extract, Kiehl’s

In addition to sunflower and apricot oils, it is enriched with vitamins B3, B5 and B6. The mask perfectly copes with dryness and brittle hair, protects them from fading, intensively nourishes and moisturizes.

Strengthening shampoo Fructis “Strength and Shine” 2-in-1 for normal hair, Garnier

Vitamins B3, B6 and grapefruit extract are the soloists in it: thanks to this vitamin composition, the shampoo strengthens the hair, gives them freshness and shine. And the active fruit concentrate provides antioxidant protection.

Intensively nourishing balm conditioner “Legendary Olive” for dry, damaged hair, Garnier

Olive oil, rich in vitamin E, saturates the hair with nutrients, restores and smoothes it along the entire length, prevents tangling.

Complex leave-in cream-care Fructis “SOS hair saver 10-in-1” with liquid aminokeratin and amla oil, Garnier

Thanks to a variety of natural plant extracts, aminokeratin and vitamins B3 and B6, this leave-in treatment helps even very damaged hair. Nourishes, softens, moisturizes and restores, provides thermal protection during styling.

Conditioner for shine and transformation of dull and lifeless hair Dercos Nutrients Vitamin, Vichy

Acai berries and aloe vera extract, rich in vitamins A, C and E, truly work wonders: the conditioner revitalizes the hair, softens it, moisturizes it and gives it a mirror shine.

What vitamins and minerals are needed for hair growth

Protein, vitamins (A, C, D, E, group B) and minerals (iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, selenium, etc.) – this is perhaps the main menu for hair. These substances are most often included in vitamin complexes for hair – sometimes iodine and potassium are also added to them. But fats are not so important for the beauty of hairstyles, but if you completely exclude them from the diet, fat-soluble vitamins A, E, D will not be absorbed.

Meat-restricted diets cause the greatest damage to the hair, because the hair shaft is almost 90% composed of keratin proteins. Problems can begin even if you eat fish and seafood instead of meat: the latter lack the amino acids necessary for hair. If for some reason you do not eat animal protein, it is better to consult a doctor and take the necessary amino acids in the form of dietary supplements.

Vitamin A

This vitamin is absolutely necessary for hair growth: it contributes to the strengthening and healthy development of hair follicles. In addition, vitamin A affects the synthesis of collagen and increases the elasticity of not only the skin, but also curls. Food sources of vitamin – beef liver, carrots, apricots, herbs, cabbage.

B vitamins

Vitamins of group B will help prevent brittleness and cross-section of hair, get rid of dandruff. They are involved in the synthesis of proteins (keratin and not only), therefore, answering the question “What vitamins to drink for hair loss?”, Trichologists most often point to group B.

B1 (thiamine) strengthens hair, gives them shine. There is a lot of it in pork, offal, oatmeal, buckwheat, rye bread. Unfortunately, it is easily lost under stress and increased stress on the nervous system – keep this in mind if you have a reporting period or exams in the near future.

B2 (riboflavin) provides blood flow to the hair follicles and thus improves hair nutrition. Contained in milk, eggs, broccoli, offal.

B3 (nicotinic acid) is one of the main “beauty vitamins”. Improves microcirculation, promotes the awakening of dormant hair follicles. Also, this vitamin is involved in the synthesis of collagen, manages the moisturizing of the skin and hair, affects seboregulation and even helps to cope with dandruff. Contained in rye and whole grain bread, buckwheat, beans, nuts, yeast, egg yolk, milk, meat, offal, mushrooms.

B5 (panthenol) stimulates the synthesis of keratin, strengthens the hair, increases its shine and promotes growth. It is often included in the complex of vitamins against hair loss. B5 can be found in brewer’s yeast, green leafy vegetables, cauliflower, peas, oatmeal, whole wheat and rye bread.

B7 (biotin) Strengthens hair to help prevent breakage and split ends. It is very often recommended for hair loss. Like vitamin B3, it is able to influence sebum regulation and save the scalp from excess oiliness. Contained in eggs, offal, yeast, legumes.

Vitamin C

If the hair has become brittle, dull, most likely, the body lacks vitamin C. There is a lot of it in berries, vegetables and fruits – rose hips, sea buckthorn, mountain ash, citrus fruits, lettuce, broccoli, etc.

Vitamin D

What vitamins are needed for hair growth? Of course D! Due to its total lack, baldness can begin. But this, of course, is an extreme. And if vitamin D is enough, the hair will be lush, and the hair will grow strong and healthy. Vitamin D can be obtained while walking in sunny weather. And its most famous food sources are fatty fish (the leader in the content of vitamin D is salmon), eggs, some types of mushrooms (most of all in shiitake), milk and dairy products.

Vitamin E

It is often called the “beauty vitamin” and for good reason: as an antioxidant, it inhibits all oxidative processes in the body, thereby preventing early aging of organs and systems, skin and hair. Vitamin E can be obtained from any vegetable oils (avocado, olive, pumpkin, walnut, linseed, etc. – it is better if they are unrefined), nuts, eggs.

Keratin

It is the main structural protein of hair. Keratin gives curls strength, elasticity and healthy shine, and as part of cosmetics fills the hair with moisture, making it thicker and denser.

Amino acids

They are almost always included in hair vitamin complexes against hair loss, because it is from them that hair is built! For example, L-cysteine ​​is necessary for the synthesis of procollagen and keratin, which make up the hair shaft. It strengthens the hair follicles, has a powerful anti-aging effect.

Biotin (vitamin B7) is often recommended for hair loss.

Summary results

Briefly about the main thing.

What vitamins can hair do without? 

“The main vitamins for hair are in groups B and D,” says dermatocosmetologist, trichologist Maria Nevskaya. – The former are involved in the synthesis of proteins, including keratin, the structural protein of hair. With its deficiency, the hair becomes weak and begins to fall out. And vitamin D, among other things, is involved in the metabolism of estrogen – the main accelerator of hair growth in women.

Are cosmetics with vitamins effective? 

The main fortification of the body, including skin and hair, comes, of course, from the inside. But many vitamins useful for hair can have a beneficial effect on the hair and the outside. The main regulars of hair care products are vitamins B3, B5, B6. Shampoos, masks, balms with vitamins moisturize hair, make it smooth, elastic, strengthen and make it shine. And vitamin hair products in ampoules have a beneficial effect on the scalp and strengthen the hair roots.

What vitamins are needed for hair growth? 

First of all, vitamins A and D: they contribute to the strengthening and healthy development of hair follicles, and are necessary for hair density. Therefore, with hair loss (if it is not associated with any medical reasons), first of all, you should pay attention to the diet.

What vitamins to drink for hair loss? 

In this case, complex supplements will be useful and effective (naturally, they can be taken only after consulting a doctor): in addition to vitamins, they contain amino acids and minerals and give a quick result – the first changes can be felt, as a rule, in two to three weeks. But it is important to drink a full-fledged complex for 1-3 months, depending on the specific supplement and in accordance with the doctor’s recommendation.

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