Evidence explainerWomen's Hair Loss
Hair Loss Supplements for Women: Biotin, Nutrafol and What the Trials Show
Biotin helps hair mainly in people who are deficient, and it can distort some lab tests. Branded supplements such as Nutrafol and Viviscal have small placebo-controlled trials, and a 2023 review called for bigger ones.
Key takeaways
- A 2017 review found only 18 reported cases of biotin improving hair or nails, all in people with an underlying condition, and no good evidence for healthy people [1].
- The FDA says biotin can cause falsely low results on certain troponin tests used to diagnose heart attacks [2].
- A 2023 systematic review of 30 studies found Nutrafol, Viviscal and several others had the higher-quality evidence, with rare, mild side effects [3].
- Nutrafol's women's trial randomized 40 women (26 active, 14 placebo) and reported more terminal and vellus hairs at 90 and 180 days [4].
Biotin
A 2017 review found 18 reported cases where biotin improved hair or nails, and every patient had an underlying cause such as biotin deficiency or a specific hair or nail disorder [1]. The authors concluded there is not enough evidence to support biotin in healthy people [1].
Tell your clinician if you take biotin before blood tests: the FDA has received reports of falsely low troponin results caused by biotin and lists troponin assays that have not addressed the interference [2].
Branded supplements
A 2023 JAMA Dermatology review screened over 6,000 citations and included 30 studies, 17 of them randomized [3]. Products with the higher-quality evidence included Viviscal, Nourkrin, Nutrafol, Lamdapil and Pantogar, plus single ingredients such as zinc, tocotrienol and pumpkin seed oil [3].
The authors said results should be read in the context of each study's design and that larger trials with active comparators are needed [3].
The Nutrafol women's trial
In a 6-month randomized, double-blind trial of Nutrafol Women's Capsules in women with self-perceived thinning, 26 took the supplement and 14 took placebo [4]. The supplement group had significantly more terminal and vellus hairs in the target area at days 90 and 180, and no adverse events were reported [4].
With 40 participants, the trial is small, and it compared the product with placebo rather than with minoxidil [4]. For the treatment with the most evidence, see our minoxidil guide.
When a nutrient is the problem
Supplements are most likely to help when they correct a deficiency, as with biotin [1]. Ask a clinician about testing before adding several products; our iron and zinc monographs cover doses and upper limits, and pumpkin seed oil has its own page.
Quick answers
Can hair supplements replace minoxidil?
No trial we found compared a supplement head to head with minoxidil; the 2023 review called for trials with active comparators [3].
More in Women's Hair Loss
References
- [1]A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss. Skin Appendage Disord, 2017.
- [2]Biotin Interference with Troponin Lab Tests: Assays Subject to Biotin Interference. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2022.
- [3]Evaluation of the Safety and Effectiveness of Nutritional Supplements for Treating Hair Loss: A Systematic Review. JAMA Dermatol, 2023.
- [4]A Six-Month, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of a Nutraceutical Supplement for Promoting Hair Growth in Women With Self-Perceived Thinning Hair. J Drugs Dermatol, 2018.