Hair growth supplements NZ

Causes of Hair Loss that will likely improve with supplements

There are many causes of hair loss. Often hair loss is caused by stress or hormonal changes; and if this is the case, your chances for it to get better are very high. Supplements may help to prevent it from getting worse. On the other hand, if you have hair loss due to menopause or just normal male pattern baldness, supplements can help delay your hair loss and improve the quality of your hair.

Male Pattern Baldness

The most common cause of hair loss and thinning is male pattern baldness.  Two third of men in their mid 30’s will have noticed some degree of hair thinning, and it mostly depends on your genetic predisposition when it starts and how quickly it happens. Most men become bald slowly over time until, in their mid 60’s, the balding is quite significant. Balding usually starts on both sides of the forehead and then moves along the top of the forehead to other parts of the head.

Stressful Life Events

In contrast to that, men and women can also lose hair during major, stressful events during their lifetime. In this case, the hair loss usually starts a few months after the major event, it happens suddenly and is more diffuse eg affects several parts of the head at the same time. This type of hair loss almost always gets better and it is very likely that your normal hair thickness will be restored.

Hormonal changes

Another common reason for hair loss is hormonal changes in women. Many women will notice thinning hair during their menopause. This type of hair loss usually happens slowly over time and affects both sides of the forehead and the middle on top of the head. It rarely causes complete baldness but the hair thinning does not get better without any treatment. This is different to hair loss that women notice after pregnancy, which often starts suddenly during or after the pregnancy. This type of hair loss will almost always get better.

Nutrition deficiencies

Hair loss or thinning is very often a symptom of low iron levels in your body. This happens in many women who lack iron due to heavy periods.  But sometimes also vegans or vegetarians do not have enough iron in their food and become deficient. People who tend to consume too much junk food and maybe even suffer from obesity also tend to have low iron levels in their blood.

If you notice any unusual hair loss, it is important that you see a doctor. Some types of hair loss can be caused by medical conditions or a lack of minerals or vitamins in your blood. In this case, it is unlikely that supplements will make any difference.

What Are Hair Growth Supplements?

Hair growth supplements are made of ingredients that promote hair growth, improve hair quality and prevent you from losing more hair. They often contain a mix of vitamins, minerals and plant extracts. It is important that you choose hair supplements from well-known brands that are based on science and proven to work.

Dr Nadja Haub MD says

There are many, many hair supplements on the market and it can be quite confusing to choose the right one. But in actual fact, there is not that much difference between the ingredients that these supplements contain.  This is because, so far, only a few ingredients are scientifically proven to work and have established safety records. Companies that are serious and well-known will use these ingredients.

Who can take hair supplements and get the best outcome?

Hair growth supplements work best for people who do not have a medical condition that is causing their hair loss. These are usually men who develop male pattern baldness due to their genetic predisposition. But supplements also work for women who notice hair loss during and after menopause, pregnancy and hormonal changes.  If you lose hair following a major life event due to stress, supplements can help as well.

What is the best supplement for hair loss?

This is a question that is not easy to answer. Many companies claim that they have found the best supplement to treat hair loss. But in actual fact, there are not that many ingredients out there that are well enough studied to confirm this. To help you navigate the jungle of hair loss supplements, we have listed a few ingredients.

What works

Saw Palmetto

This is probably the most established and popular plant extract to treat hair loss and thinning. It has been on the market for many years and appears to have a good safety record.

Several scientific studies could show that this plant extract from a shrub-like palm tree in the US works. Approximately 83.3% of men with male pattern baldness who took saw palmetto every day for at least a few months reported increased hair thickness, 27% more hair count and 60% improved hair quality.

Saw Palmetto can very rarely cause stomach aches. Should this be the case, please stop taking the saw palmetto and the ache will usually resolve.  If you are taking finasteride which is a prescription medication to treat hair loss or enlarged prostates, please check with your doctor first before you start taking saw palmetto.

Curcuma aeruginosa

This is a ginger plant. A high-quality study looked at 87 men who took an extract from this plant for 6 months, twice daily. It showed that the extract from this plant improved hair regrowth and reduced hair shedding.

There are many more plant extracts that promote hair growth and stop hair loss. Some of them are ginseng, Rosmarin leaves and Crysanthemus-just to name a few.

Selenium

Selenium is a mineral that is typically found in soil. In New Zealand, the soil has got low levels of selenium. Scientists have done a few studies and found that a lot of people with hair loss do not have enough selenium in their bloodstream. For that reason, they recommended that you get your selenium levels checked by a doctor. And if these are low, you should take selenium supplements. if you have normal selenium levels, it is unlikely that selenium supplements will make a difference to your hair.

What may or may not work

Biotin

Biotin is a type of Vitamin B in many foods such as eggs, fish, seeds nuts and vegetables. In the modern world, it is very rare for people to have biotin deficiency but there is a rare genetic disease that can cause it. People who have this disease suffer from thin hair and thin nails. Due to that reason, many companies promote biotin as a hair loss remedy but in actual fact, there is no proper evidence that it works.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency happens when you do not eat enough food that contains it. But many people who do not spend enough time outdoors or cover their skin when they go outside, also lack Vitamin D. Low levels of Vitamin D in your bloodstream can cause hair loss and thinning. For that reason, many supplements contain Vitamin D but these will likely only work if you are deficient in Vitamin D. If you have normal Vitamin D levels, supplements are unlikely to make a difference.

Vitamin C

To date, scientists have not done enough studies to prove that vitamin C helps reverse hair loss. But it is recommended that you take vitamin C together with iron when you have hair loss due to a lack of iron. This is because your body absorbs iron better when you take it together with vitamin C.

Zinc

We still do not know if zinc supplements actually improve hair thickness and quality. A few studies showed that when you lack zinc in your bloodstream you can lose hair. But another study could not confirm this finding.  So, scientists are not really sure at this stage and whereas zinc supplements would likely not cause any harm, we also do not know if they would benefit your hair.

Folic Acid and Vitamin B12

A few studies showed that when you have low levels of Vitamin B 12 and/or folic acid, you can lose hair more easily. For that reason, we would recommend that you see your doctor to get a blood test if you notice hair loss. If your levels are low, you would likely notice a difference with vitamin B12 or folic acid supplements. But again, if you have normal vitamin B 12 levels, supplements are unlikely to make a difference.

Are Hair Growth Vitamins Safe?

Hair growth vitamins are a type of supplement many people take to improve the health of their hair. Taking them can help stimulate hair growth, thicken existing hair, and even reduce hair loss. They are generally safe when used as directed. However, it is always preferred to consult a doctor before taking any new supplement related to hair growth or loss. This way, you can ensure you’re getting the right dosage and ingredients for your individual needs. If done
correctly, many people have seen positive results from such supplements.

Are there Side Effects of Hair Supplements?

Vitamins for hair growth are generally considered safe, but it is essential to be aware that there can be side effects associated with taking them. Common side effects include stomach pain, nausea, and rash. In addition, in some cases, prolonged or excessive use of these supplements can lead to an imbalance in the body’s other essential vitamins and minerals.

Therefore, if you experience these symptoms while taking supplements for hair growth, it is best to stop taking them immediately and consult your doctor before continuing.

What About iRestore 3-in-1 Hair Growth Formula?

Satini Cosmetic Clinic recommends iRestore 3-in-1 hair growth formula as it contains saw palmetto which is proven to work. If you would like to get a proper assessment of your hair loss, we would recommend that you book an appointment for a more comprehensive assessment and to discuss possible treatment options.

You can also find the complete range of iRestore Haircare products at Satini Cosmetic Clinic’s website. In addition, you can book a free
consultation with Dr Nadja Haub to discuss your hair concerns and get an expert’s advice.