A hit among influencers, do hair supplements work?

In recent years, a new trend has been gaining momentum on social media: hair supplements shared by celebrities and digital influencers . Brands promise longer, stronger, healthier hair in just a few months. But do these products really deliver what they promise? Or are they just another fad?

The answer is not simple. For some people, hair supplements can be beneficial, especially when there is a nutritional deficiency in the body. This is because, usually presented in the form of gummies or capsules, they contain a variety of vitamins and minerals such as biotin, zinc, folic acid and vitamin D, substances that help nourish the hair from the inside out.

“They are good vitamins, but they are not the best on the market. Normally, these simpler vitamins will not solve more serious hair loss or damaged hair quality. They help hair that was already on the way to improving on its own,” says Letícia Ambrosano, a dermatologist specializing in hair.

“It doesn’t make it grow faster, but it can provide an additional quantity of active ingredients that make up the hair, and then the hair becomes stronger,” he adds.

However, for others, results may be minimal or non-existent. Visible effects may vary from person to person, and reports of success on social media may be influenced by factors such as genetics and a person’s general health.

“There are over 300 causes of hair loss, and supplements will only help in cases where there is a deficiency in the supplement. Therefore, they are not treatments for the vast majority of hair loss cases. For example, baldness that has a genetic-hormonal cause will never be treated with supplements, as they do not alter the conversion of the hormones involved,” explains Gustavo Martins, dermatologist and trichologist.

The experts consulted by CNN They also warn of possible side effects of the indiscriminate use of hair supplements, which can cause hypervitaminosis (excess of vitamins in the body), which can be harmful to health.

According to professionals, some daily care is important for the health of your hair, such as:

• Adequate sleep;
• Hydration;
• Diet with protein and green vegetables;
• Use shampoo suitable for your hair type;
• Avoid external aggressions, such as using hair dryers, straighteners and chemical products.

“The first tip for healthy hair is to maintain a hygiene routine. When washing your hair, massage your scalp with your fingertips to activate blood circulation and stimulate hair growth. Another tip is to avoid sleeping with wet hair (they are responsible for fungi, which can clog the follicles and cause hair loss), avoid overusing heat sources (which can further stimulate hair loss) or wearing very tight hairstyles,” explains Julio Pierezan, dermatologist and trichologist.

See tips for keeping your hair healthy in winter