Snag these powerful vitamins and minerals for your healthiest, fullest head of hair yet.

If you’ve been freaked out by a few extra hairs clogging the drain recently, know that you’re not alone. On average, women lose up to 50 strands of hair per day, and more when they’re going through hormone changes or periods of extreme stress. If lost locks are getting you down, the good news is there is an array of products and vitamins for hair loss that are designed to help prevent hair thinning and hair loss.

In addition to immediate fixes like tape-ins or easy wefts, or tools like a snag-preventing hairbrush, there are many hair vitamins and minerals out there that can help to boost long-term healthy hair growth. Whether it’s a fuller head of hair you seek or a product to help regrow a thinning crown, here are 4 ingredients that will help promote hair growth and products we would recommend testing out!

Biotin

Biotin, a vitamin for hair loss that falls under the Vitamin B family, is also sometimes referred to as Vitamin H. And while that “H” doesn’t stand for “hair,” it probably should considering biotin is known to boost healthy hair (as well as skin and nail) growth. Often you get enough biotin from your regular diet, however when keratin—a basic protein in your hair, nails and skin—breaks down, a boost of biotin can help.

Some studies have shown that women with thinning hair experienced more hair growth in affected areas and had less shedding after taking a steady and consistent supplement containing biotin. Another study found that women experiencing hair loss had an overall improvement in their hair growth and quality after following a biotin-boosted health regimen.

Ready to try out biotin for hair loss? Experts recommended that healthy adults should take anywhere between 30 and 100 mcg of biotin per day. That can be achieved through supplements, or by increasing your diet to include more biotin-filled foods like egg yolks, nuts, legumes and whole grains.

Need another reason to add biotin to your diet? The vitamin has been known to support a healthy metabolism and can also improve cognitive function.

Get a boost of Biotin with these products designed for hair-loss prevention:

BIOTIN (5,000MCG) WITH COCONUT OIL

These vegan-friendly tapioca soft gels are made from all plant-based ingredients, including organic coconut oil, which may be better for your hair in pill form rather than straight-up putting it in your hair. Users rave about the difference they’ve seen in their hair growth after just 10 days of consistent use, and are super impressed with the fact that they’ve also had less overall shedding. 

JAMIESON GORGEOUS HAIR

These vitamins for hair loss contain 10,000 mcg of biotin per dose and promise to promote stronger, thicker and healthier hair with less breakage and split ends. It’s a daily formula that comes in an easy-to swallow soft gel, but the vegetarians out there should note that this product does contain gelatin.

LUV ME CARE HAIR GROWTH OIL WITH CAFFEINE AND BIOTIN

If taking a pill every day isn’t your thing, this biotin-infused serum is packed full of the stuff for stronger, thicker and longer hair. Use two-to-three drops on your scalp and massage it in using a circular motion before bedtime so that follicles can soak in all of that supplemental goodness overnight.

BIOTIN LIQUID DROPS MAX ABSORPTION BIOTIN LIQUID DROPS

Fuller, stronger hair could be just a drop away with these mixed-berry flavoured biotin drops, which are vegan and contain no artificial preservatives. Each serving contains 5,000 mcg of biotin, and every bottle comes with a 90-day satisfaction guarantee.

Iron

An iron-deficiency is commonly linked to fatigue, headaches, a heavier menstrual flow and even increased anxiety. But a lack of iron can also be the cause of that thinning hair or constant shedding. The good news is that hair-loss as a result of low iron isn’t permanent, and it can be treated with supplements.

While your doctor can give you more info on your actual iron levels and the effects taking these kinds of supplements can have, eating a healthy and balanced diet is always a great start. Leafy greens like spinach and lean proteins like chicken or fat-reduced cuts of beef are yummy options. Anything that claims to be iron-fortified is also a terrific addition to your cart, as women aged 18-50 should aim for at least 14.8 mg of the stuff daily.

Ready to bolster your vitamin intake with supplements? Consider these picks.

IRONSMART - IRON SUPPLEMENT

These capsules are gentle on the stomach and easy-to-digest, all while promoting maximum absorption for best results. They can also be taken with other multivitamins (consult with your doctor) and are vegan-friendly, non-GMO, and dairy- soy- and gluten-free.

NATURE’S BOUNTY GENTLE IRON SUPPLEMENT

If you’re looking for a gentle injection of iron, these iron supplements promise to go easy on your stomach. They’re specifically designed to help prevent iron deficiency anemia and get your red blood cells working at their max, which in turn may also help you achieve a thicker crown.

Vitamin C

Everyone knows that Vitamin C is key to helping the body to fight off illness and to protect it from free radicals. But did you also know that the vitamin is essential in the creation of collagen, which is a vital part of hair structure? Not only can Vitamin C help you get that hair loss in check, but it also helps the body absorb iron, another mineral that’s important when it comes to hair growth.

Get extra Vitamin C for hair loss in the form of kiwi, strawberries, oranges and yellow peppers, or shop for a supplement that contains no more than 90 milligrams per serving. While experts say adults can handle up to 2,000 mg of Vitamin C a day, too much can cause unpleasant side effects like diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.

Try these Vitamin C-touting hair loss prevention supplements

NATURE’S BOUNTY HAIR, SKIN & NAILS WITH BIOTIN

These strawberry-flavoured gummies are chockful of hair growth-promoting minerals and vitamins, including biotin, Vitamin E, and 7.5 mg of coveted Vitamin C. Users are in awe of how much their hair has grown after use, but they’re also impressed with how much shinier and stronger it is, too.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is typically known to help regulate the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the body, as well as helping to keep the immune system in check. However some studies have also linked low levels of Vitamin D to alopecia, which is another term for hair loss. Other studies have dug in even further to reveal that Vitamin D could help to create new hair follicles and promote more hair growth.

If you want to increase the amount of Vitamin D in your diet, turn to foods like fatty fish, mushrooms and egg yolks, or be sure to get outside (practicing sun safety) at least once a day so that your body can also produce more of this “sunshine vitamin.” And when you’re looking at supplements, healthy women should aim for 600 IU per day.

Inject some more Vitamin D into your daily ritual with these healthy hair products:

VIE NATURELLE HAIR GROWTH ESSENTIALS

There are 100 IUs of Vitamin D per serving in these capsules, which also contain biotin, Vitamin C and zinc. According to Vie Naturelle these supplements are manufactured in the States and are free of fillers, binders and artificial ingredients. There’s also a money-back guarantee, but many online users have shared positive results within 30 days.

DRFORMULAS HAIROMEGA 3-IN-1

This vegetarian blend of hair vitamins, minerals and plant extracts is uniquely designed to give you healthier hair, skin and nails, and of course a hearty dose of Vitamin D (50 mcg per serving) is a part of that formula. Users have mostly strong reviews, however it’s worth noting that these pills are very large and can be tough to swallow—especially since each dose is four tablets.

PRAIRIE NATURALS HAIR FORCE

These soft gels are specifically designed to help stimulate the maximum growth of hair follicles, promoting stronger, healthier, and faster growing hair. The formula, which contains 70 IUs of Vitamin D per serving, also works to counteract stress, illness and hormonal imbalances while minimizing overall hair loss.

Zinc

Studies have shown that hair loss is a common symptom of a zinc deficiency, and taking zinc supplements can definitely help spark regrowth caused by such shortages. All the more reason to zinc up your diet, we say. It’s a tricky balance though, because on the flip side of the equation too much zinc can potentially lead to increased hair loss.

Why so finicky? Zinc is a major contributor to hair tissue growth and repair because it helps regulate the oil glands in hair follicles. However, too much of that oil could clog up follicles and prevent new growth. Women only need about 8 mg of zinc a day, so definitely speak to your doctor if you believe a deficiency is causing you to shed a little more than usual.

Ready to zip up some zinc supplements? Check out these vitamins for hair loss:

New Nordic Hair Volume Gummies

This award-winning hair nutrient supplement comes in gummy form and promises to increase hair volume with thicker hair and less shedding. The formula contains a patented apple extract and biotin, but also 1.25 mg of zinc per serving. Users have noticed a difference in as little as a month with consistent use, reporting thicker and shinier hair.

Before taking any supplements remember to always speak to your medical professional, who can help identify potential deficiencies with proper tests. In the meantime, if you want to help stop hair loss in other ways, maintain a healthy and balanced diet, wear your hair loose and free from tight breakage-causing elastics and headbands, avoid using chemicals and dyes, and be sure to brush and wash your hair extra gently.