Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin B complex, especially biotin (vitamin B7), is widely used and promoted for supporting hair health and treating hair loss or thinning. There is some scientific rationale for its use in cases of deficiency. Biotin deficiency, though rare, is associated with hair thinning and loss, and supplementation can reverse these symptoms in deficient individuals. Other B vitamins, such as B12 and folic acid, are essential for normal cell function and red blood cell production, which could indirectly affect hair health by supporting scalp and follicle health.

However, clinical trials and systematic reviews have found little evidence that vitamin B supplementation promotes hair growth or reverses hair loss in individuals who are not deficient. Most people obtain adequate B vitamins from their diet, and excess supplementation does not appear to offer additional benefits for hair growth. While the use of B vitamins for hair is supported by a combination of scientific understanding of deficiency states and their correction, there is insufficient evidence to support their use as a general hair loss treatment in the absence of deficiency.

In summary, vitamin B supplementation is scientifically justified when a deficiency is present, but its use for hair loss in healthy individuals is not strongly supported by current evidence. The level of evidence is therefore rated as 2 out of 5.

More about vitamin B
More about Hair (loss or thinning)

Other ingredients used for Hair (loss or thinning)

Other health conditions supported by vitamin B

Products containing vitamin B