Do hair loss supplements, such as Viviscal, Hair La Vie, and Nutrafol, or topical essential oils work?

Answer:

Before discussing possible treatments for hair loss, be aware that there are some avoidable causes of hair loss.

Avoidable causes of hair loss:

Deficiencies in nutrients such as iron, zinc, biotin, riboflavin, vitamin D and protein can cause hair loss. Supplementing to offset these deficiencies may reverse this hair loss. However, supplementing with these nutrients is unlikely to benefit people who already get adequate amounts.

Possible treatments for hair loss:

Certain supplements — such as DHEA, selenium, St. John's wort, and vitamin A — as well as many drugs (including some blood pressure medications) can also cause hair loss. In some cases, discontinuing use of these agents can reverse hair loss.

Many supplement ingredients including acetyl-cysteine, amla (Emblica officinalis), beta-sitosterol, black currant seed oil, black seed oil, cysteine, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), glycyrrhizin, Gynostemma pentaphyllum (also called jiaogulan), Korean red ginseng, pumpkin seed oil, saw palmetto, peony, and wheat polar-lipid complex (Ceramosides), as well as topical essential oils, aloe vera gel, castor oil, CBD, caffeine, chitosan, green tea, lavender oil, melatonin, onion juice, peppermint oil, poison primrose, rice water, rosemary oil, saw palmetto, and squill lotion are promoted for hair regrowth but have shown only modest benefits, at best, and the quality of the evidence is generally weak.

Similarly, there is little to no evidence to support the benefit of "hair formula" supplements, such as Forti5, Hair La Vie Clinical Formula, Lambdapil, Nourkrin, Nutrafol, and Viviscal (which includes marine protein) products, as well as hair loss shampoos such as Pura d'or Hair Thinning Therapy Shampoo or Nioxin shampoos.

There is preliminary evidence taking a low dose of the drug minoxidil orally (as opposed to its approved, topical use, as in Rogaine) or dutasteride (which is used for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia) may help regrow thinning hair and may work better than low-dose finasteride (Propecia, which is approved for treating male-pattern baldness), although there are possible side effects with these drugs, and there is mixed evidence as to whether low-dose oral minoxidil is more effective than topical minoxidil. Be aware that women often pay more than men for topical minoxidil products, but there are ways to avoid this, as explained in our full article.

Sign in as a member to learn more, including our assessments of the following supplement formulas and shampoos promoted for hair growth:

• Armra Colostrum Immune Revival
• Forti5
• Hair La Vie Clinical Formula
• Hair Strong Gummies
• Lambdapil Hair Density Capsules
• Nioxin
• NourishVita Hair, Lash & Brow Growth
• Nourkrin
• Nutrafol
• Pura d’or Hair Thinning Therapy Shampoo
• Vegamour GRO Hair Serum
• Viviscal

Also find out if low-level light devices such as laser or LED caps and helmets (such as Capillus and Theradome) increase hair growth and are safe.