Does Nutrafol Actually Work For Hair Growth? Review the Science Behind This OTC Hair Growth Supplement

What The Science Says About Nutrafol

It’s nearly impossible to search for hair loss treatment products without landing on Nutrafol. This company offers several hair growth supplements, all of which promise to alleviate the root causes of hair loss to facilitate hair growth. Before shelling out nearly $90 for a one-month supply, you probably want to ensure that this OTC hair growth product will actually work. Of course, the makers of Nutrafol promise that their product is backed by research, but that’s an easy claim for a company to make. Below, I offer a neutral, science-backed review of Nutrafol Women, so you have all the information you need before you invest in this product.

What Nutrafol Contains

Nutrafol offers several hair growth supplements, but for simplicity, I’m going to review the Nutrafol Women hair growth formulation. The product contains insignificant amounts of macronutrients, such as protein and carbohydrates, so we won’t spend too much time discussing those.

However, it is noteworthy that Nutrafol contains the following micronutrients:

• Biotin
• Iodine
• Zinc
• Selenium
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E

In addition to these micronutrients, Nutrafol includes a patented complex of collagen, ashwagandha, saw palmetto, turmeric extract, palm extract, and hyaluronic acid. It also contains a special Nutrafol blend of L-Cysteine, L-Lysine, L-Methionine, Keratin, Horsetail extract, Japanese knotweed extract, black pepper extract, and cayenne extract.

So What Does The Science Say?

Now that you have a grasp on the specific ingredients in Nutrafol, it’s time to take a look at the science behind these ingredients. To be able to conclude that Nutrafol for hair growth works, we must have evidence from scientific research that its ingredients are actually effective. Fortunately, the results of research with ingredients in Nutrafol are rather promising.

First, let’s consider the research with biotin. A 2017 report in the academic journal Skin Appendage Disorders analyzed the results of 18 different studies concerned with the effects of biotin on hair and nail growth. According to the results of the studies under review, biotin is effective for promoting hair growth in those with underlying conditions affecting the hair. For instance, people who have a biotin deficiency are likely to see hair growth with biotin supplementation; however, in healthy people without deficiencies, biotin is unlikely to be helpful.

A review of the research on iodine and hair growth doesn’t yield many results, but there do appear to be benefits associated with zinc. According to a research report in the International Journal of Dermatology, extreme zinc deficiency can cause alopecia, or hair loss, but hair does regrow with zinc supplementation. Both men and women with androgenetic alopecia, a hormone-related hairloss condition, demonstrate low levels of zinc compared to those without the condition. There are some conflicting findings in research, but there is evidence that zinc can improve hair thickness in those with hair loss.

There isn’t as much evidence supporting selenium for hair loss, but research does suggest that selenium deficiency may be involved in hair loss. However, selenium deficiency is rare, and there is little to no research on the effects of supplementation on hair growth.

Vitamins In Nutrafol Hair Growth Supplement

The minerals named above are not the only micronutrients in Nutrafol; the product also contains vitamins that may benefit hair growth. The vitamin C in Nutrafol can be particularly important for patients suffering from hair loss due to iron deficiency anemia, because vitamin C is required for iron absorption. Research has also shown that vitamin D levels tend to be low in those with androgenetic alopecia, suggesting that supplementation could be helpful for hair loss. That being said, research specifically assessing the benefits of vitamin D supplementation is lacking. Finally, while there isn’t much research with vitamin A (and toxicity may actually lead to hair loss), some research has found that vitamin E levels may be lower in those with hair loss conditions.

Nutrafol’s Unique Ingredients

The vitamins and minerals in Nutrafol are not unique to this product; however, there are unique ingredients in Nutrafol that may promote hair growth. For instance, collagen is widely used for hair growth, and research with collagen has found that it increases hair thickness.

Another ingredient in Nutrafol, ashwagandha, may be beneficial for stress-induced hair loss. This ingredient has been found to reduce stress levels, and it may improve the flow of blood and nutrients to the scalp. While there is limited research directly studying the effects of oral ashwagandha supplements on hair growth, one study found that a topical ashwagandha serum reduced hair shedding and improved hair density and thickness over the course of 75 days.

Supplementation with saw palmetto is also beneficial for hair growth. A number of studies have found that both oral and topical saw palmetto improve hair quality and increase total hair count in people with hair loss conditions, such as telogen effluvium and androgenetic alopecia.

While there are more ingredients in Nutrafol than have been discussed in this research review section, there are a final two worth mentioning: amino acids and hyaluronic acid. A 2024 study in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that a combination of these two ingredients led to an improvement in the thickness, density, and shine of hair in individuals with androgenetic alopecia. It is noted that participants in this study received injections of the supplement, so these results may not cross over to oral supplementation. The other ingredients in Nutrafol haven’t been as well-researched, but they are part of its unique blend.

The Bottom Line

Nutrafol claims its ingredients are evidence-backed, and based on a thorough review of the research, that’s a fair claim. Ingredients like zinc, selenium, and vitamin D seem to be implicated in hair loss, as those with hair loss conditions tend to be deficient in these micronutrients. Furthermore, biotin deficiency is a contributor to hair loss, which can be improved with biotin supplementation.

Beyond micronutrients, Nutratol contains ingredients that are widely used for the treatment of hair loss. For instance, the supplement contains saw palmetto, ashwagandha, and hyaluronic acid, all of which have been found in research to promote hair growth. One caution to note is that in some research, topical or injectable formulations of these products have been used, and the same results may not be found with oral supplements.

Given that more research is needed to determine the effects of one single nutrient, such as vitamin D, on hair loss, it would probably be insufficient to rely on a single ingredient in Nutrafol on its own to treat hair loss. However, the benefit of this supplement is that it combines multiple nutrients into one capsule, so you can obtain the benefits of a variety of different ingredients that promote hair growth.

A Promising Study With Nutrafol for Hair Growth

If you aren’t convinced Nutrafol is for you, let’s take a look at one final study. The study, published in a 2022 edition of the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, specifically assessed the effects of Nutrafol among participants. Those participating in the study took Nutrafol for 24 weeks. Participants included both men and women with mild to moderate hair loss, and individuals from multiple races/ethnicities (African American, Hispanic Caucasian, Non-Hispanic Caucasian, and Asian). Study results showed that after supplementation, hair growth, hair density, and hair volume improved significantly. Furthermore, 83.7 percent of men and 79.5 percent of women saw significant improvements in their hair.

Concluding Remarks

In conclusion, Nutrafol may not work for everyone, but a majority of participants taking it in a clinical study saw an improvement in the condition of their hair. Based on the evidence supporting Nutrafol, it may be a worthwhile investment if you notice mild to moderate hair thinning. As with any supplement, discuss with your doctor if you’re unsure if its ingredients are safe for you.