It can be hard to get strong and shiny hair only using good shampoo and conditioner. Oftentimes, you need to change your diet and start taking supplements to improve your hair. We’ve collected six supplements that contain essential nutrients. They will help you achieve shinier, healthier, and fuller hair.
Table of Contents
Supplements for Dry Hair
1. Collagen Supplements
Amino acids are the building blocks of keratin(1) – the main component of your hair, skin, and nails. One way to get more amino acids is through consuming collagen. Actually, it’s the most demanded protein in your body that can strengthen hair and prevent hair loss.
When collagen is digested by your gut, it’s broken down into essential amino acids which then turn into keratin to form new and healthy hair and skin. Since it’s difficult to get collagen through food, you can start taking a collagen supplement that will make your hair stronger and shinier.
2. Biotin Supplements
Biotin is a B-complex vitamin that is extremely important in hair and nail health. Many dermatologists report that if their patients experience a biotin deficiency. They suffer from thinning hair, and dry skin and hair.
Takin biotin supplements can help in supporting dry scalp and dry hair. Dry and thin hair and skin, hair loss, and skin rashes often indicate a biotin deficiency, but the best way to diagnose a biotin deficiency is getting a blood test from your doctor.
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3. Omega-3 Supplements
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential oils that are not produced by our bodies. But naturally, they are contained in such foods as soy, walnuts, and fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel, and sardines). While they’re used in high cholesterol treatment and can reduce chronic inflammation, the effect of this supplement on the skin is less clear.
However, according to many studies, omega-3 fatty acids may be helpful in improving skin and hair health when taken along with other supplements that contain antioxidants.
Read: Almond Oil for Hair
4. Vitamin E Supplements
Vitamin E is one of the best vitamins for the scalp and skin. Vitamin E has been shown to decrease inflammation on the skin including scalp. It also fights free radical damage around hair follicles that can lead to premature graying and hair damage.
Keep in mind that to see the effects of vitamin E on your hair, it’s important to take it for some time. It will help manage the sebum and oily secretions that help to keep your hair and skin moisturized in a week.
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5. Iron Supplements
One of the most iron deficiency is hair loss and dryness. Scientists still don’t know exactly how iron affects the hair, but hair follicle matrix cells are some of the fastest dividing cells in the body. With a lack of iron, hair follicles may not function properly, which makes hair and skin dry and thin.
Keep in mind that iron supplements may have some side effects including indigestion and stomach issues if you don’t have a deficiency. Therefore, consult your doctor to find out if you need to be tested for a deficiency.
Read: Vitamin C Foods
6. Silica Supplements
Silica is a mineral that’s often contained in nature and in our bodies including our tendons, aorta, bones, kidneys, and liver. It’s still unclear how silica works, but it’s needed for providing proper production of collagen, skin, bones, and hair.
Silica supplements(2) are helpful in strengthening hair and promoting skin health. While it’s not entirely clear why this can happen, scientists suggest that silica may interact with keratin, the protein found naturally in hair, which is responsible for hair structure.