Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
For the body system: Hair

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is commonly included in dietary supplements and topical products intended to support hair health, largely based on historical and traditional beliefs rather than robust scientific evidence. The use of vitamin B5 for hair dates back to mid-20th century marketing of products claiming to improve hair strength, growth, or appearance. This tradition arose in part because pantothenic acid is an essential nutrient involved in many metabolic processes, including the synthesis of coenzyme A, which is important for fatty acid metabolism and energy production. However, there is no direct scientific evidence that supplementation with vitamin B5 improves hair growth or prevents hair loss in individuals who are not deficient. Clinical deficiency of pantothenic acid is rare and, while deficiency may lead to general symptoms like fatigue or irritability, hair loss is not a primary feature. Some early studies and anecdotal reports suggested possible benefits, but high-quality clinical trials are lacking. The inclusion of pantothenic acid in hair products or supplements is therefore rooted more in tradition, consumer expectations, and its theoretical role in overall health rather than in validated clinical outcomes for hair. Current scientific consensus does not support a direct role for vitamin B5 in promoting hair growth or preventing hair loss beyond correcting a rare deficiency state.

More about Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
More about Hair

Products containing Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

We currently have no products on Caring Sunshine that contain this ingredient.