Do Prenatal Vitamins Grow Hair?
Many women believe that prenatal vitamins facilitate hair growth. This is because many pregnant women who have taken prenatal vitamins have noticed a significant increase in hair growth and thickness.
Although some pregnant women notice changes in the condition of their hair, such as faster growth, fuller and denser hair, experts believe that pregnancy hormones are responsible, not prenatal vitamins.
Estrogen is reported to be produced in large quantities in pregnant women. These high levels act as an environment that contributes to hair growth. It happens that the hair gets stuck in the growth phase and consequently grows faster and longer.
Each hair follicle goes through three phases of the hair growth cycle: growth, rest, and shedding. About 90% of hair follicles are currently in a growth phase that can last from two to six years. This means that if they have a six-year growth phase, your hair will be longer than a person who has a two-year growth phase.
During pregnancy, due to the increase in hormones in the growth phase, the hair that is supposed to fall out will also get stuck. This makes the hair look longer and thicker.
What are the Nutrients in Prenatal Vitamins?
Prenatal vitamins for hair growth have always been controversial. No official studies have indeed been done to show the role of these vitamins in healthy hair, but some women have tried it. Many women have reported an increase in hair length while taking prenatal vitamins during pregnancy.
Do prenatal vitamins make your hair grow faster?
Prenatal vitamins are not proven to make hair grow faster; they're designed to support pregnancy. The perceived hair growth during pregnancy is often due to hormonal changes, not vitamins alone. For hair growth, it's better to use products specifically formulated for hair health.
Before you understand the role of these hair growth supplements, you need to understand them essentially. These nutrients contain various vitamins for the needs of pregnant women. The essential nutrients/vitamins include folic acid, calcium, and biotin.
Folic acid
Perhaps the most important ingredient in pregnancy is folic acid. Folic acid or folate is an essential vitamin B-9 needed to produce new cells.
Various hypotheses support the role of folic acid in hair growth. Some claim that folic acid plays a vital role in forming new cells in the human body and therefore helps promote hair growth. Folic acid creates new cells, including keratinization of hair in the phase of active development.
Some sources even report that high levels of this vitamin B in the blood prevent premature hair aging. Pregnancy often causes a deficiency of folic acid, so using a prenatal vitamin as a hair care method makes sense. In addition, most hair care products available on the market contain folic acid as an ingredient.
Calcium
Another readily available ingredient in prenatal vitamins is calcium. Calcium has always been beneficial for hair growth, so the use of prenatal vitamins in hair growth should be justified. Calcium is needed during pregnancy as it helps build strong bones. As far as hair is concerned, calcium is considered to be effective in maintaining a healthy scalp.
Biotin
Biotin is another essential nutrient. Biotin, also known as vitamin B-7, supports the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, which is why biotin is called "hair food". Biotin deficiency is rare unless you are vegan. Regarding the role of biotin, dermatologists and trichologists generally agree that a lack of biotin causes hair to break in strands instead of breaking at the root or below the scalp's surface.
Listed below are other nutrients needed for hair growth:
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin C
- Thiamine
- Riboflavin
- Niacin
- Iron
- Vitamin B12
Why You Need Hair Vitamins
While prenatal vitamins can be required for embryonic and fetal development during pregnancy, taking prenatal vitamins for better hair may not bring the desired results. They could also have adverse side effects. Prenatal vitamins contain a higher concentration of iron that can build up in the body. Too much iron can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. A severe build-up of iron in your system could possibly result in death.
A better alternative for growing a healthy and longer hair is the use of hair vitamins. They can be more helpful for anyone who is experiencing hair loss, hair thinning, or for those who just want thicker or longer hair. Certain cosmetic products, including shampoos and conditioners, are formulated with hair vitamins to provide extra strength and support healthy growth.
Conclusion
If you have certain conditions that cause hair loss, you need to take action now. There is some amazing information that will effectively, and in a very short time solve your hair loss problem. This article talks about the importance of vitamins for hair loss and excellent hair growth tips that will change your current look and give you a much healthier hair.