Hair plays an important role in how many women express their identity and confidence. So, it's no surprise that hair thinning or loss can be deeply distressing. What's less talked about is how common it is. By the time women reach 50, almost half will experience some form of noticeable hair loss.
Understanding the root causes—and how to support your hair through targeted nutrition—is the first step to regaining control. With clinical research pointing to the role of specific nutrients, many are now asking: what are the best hair vitamins for women, and can they really help prevent hair loss?
Let's explore what the science says.
What Causes Hair Loss in Women?
Hair loss isn't just a cosmetic issue. It's often the result of internal imbalances or deficiencies.
Common contributors include:
1. Hormonal Changes
Fluctuations during pregnancy, postpartum recovery, perimenopause, or conditions like PCOS can disrupt the normal hair growth cycle. Oestrogen helps keep hair in the growth phase, so its decline may trigger shedding.
2. Stress and Inflammation
Periods of high emotional or physical stress can push hair follicles prematurely into the resting phase—a condition known as telogen effluvium. While temporary, it can feel dramatic and sudden.
3. Nutrient Deficiencies
Even mild deficiencies in certain nutrients, particularly iron, vitamin D, biotin, and zinc can weaken hair follicles and impair growth. Vegetarian or restrictive diets, digestive disorders, or low-calorie intake can make these deficiencies more likely.
4. Genetics and Ageing
Female-pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) is a genetic condition that gradually reduces hair density over time. While not preventable, it can often be managed or slowed with the right support and care.
How Can Supplements Help?
While no supplement can override genetics or poor lifestyle habits, science shows that certain nutrients are essential for hair follicle health and can promote stronger, more resilient hair.
The best vitamins for women's hair loss don't just contain biotin—they target multiple pathways: improving blood flow to the scalp, reducing inflammation, boosting keratin production, and supporting follicle metabolism.
Here are some of the key players:
● Biotin (Vitamin B7)
Biotin helps convert nutrients into energy and plays a central role in keratin production—the protein that makes up hair. Deficiency is rare but can lead to brittle, thinning hair.
● Vitamin D
Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to multiple types of hair loss, including alopecia areata. It's thought to play a role in creating new hair follicles and regulating the immune system.
● Iron
Iron deficiency is one of the most well-established nutritional causes of hair loss, particularly among menstruating women. Iron supports oxygen delivery to rapidly dividing cells in the scalp.
● Zinc and Selenium
These trace minerals support hair follicle structure and help regulate oil production and inflammation in the scalp.
● Antioxidants (like grape seed extract, lycopene)
Oxidative stress can accelerate follicle ageing. Antioxidants protect hair follicles from damage caused by environmental stressors.
● Essential Fatty Acids
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are known to reduce inflammation and support healthy sebum production, helping create a balanced scalp environment.
Nutrova Kerastrength: A Nutritional Approach to Hair Support
Nutrova Kerastrength was developed with an evidence-based approach to address the nutritional factors that influence hair growth, strength, and density—especially as women's needs change over time.
Unlike most general hair supplements, it combines a broad spectrum of nutrients to support both the biological processes of hair formation and the health of the follicular environment.
Here's what sets it apart:
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Biotin, B-complex vitamins, vitamin D3 and iron support keratin production and follicular energy metabolism.
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Zinc, selenium and grape seed extract provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support for the scalp.
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Natural lycopene is included to help regulate DHT (a hormone linked to hair thinning).
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Coenzyme Q10 boosts mitochondrial activity within cells—important for the energy-intensive process of hair growth.
Kerastrength is also gluten-free, third-party tested, and free from preservatives or artificial colours—making it a clean choice for long-term daily use.
What Does the Research Say?
Multiple clinical trials support the efficacy of targeted supplementation for hair health:
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A 2022 study in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology followed women with self-perceived hair thinning over 12 months. Those given a nutritional supplement containing key vitamins and antioxidants experienced significant improvements in hair growth, density and thickness compared to placebo【1】.
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Another randomised study published in Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that women taking omega-3 and omega-6 supplements saw a reduction in hair shedding and an increase in hair density within 6 months【2】.
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Emerging data also points to the role of mitochondrial enhancers like coenzyme Q10 in improving hair follicle energy metabolism, though more studies are needed to confirm its standalone impact【3】.
How Long Before You See Results?
Hair grows slowly—about 1 to 1.5 centimetres per month. That means noticeable changes often take 8 to 12 weeks, though some people report reduced shedding within a few weeks of starting supplements. Consistency is key: hair reflects internal health over time, not overnight.
Supporting hair through nutrition isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about giving your body the resources it needs to function optimally—at the cellular level.
Takeaway
Hair loss in women is complex and often deeply personal. But the good news is: it’s not something you have to ignore or accept without question.
If you're wondering about the best hair vitamins for women, look beyond marketing claims. Seek out formulations that target multiple causes—nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, hormone metabolism, and follicular energy needs.
A supplement like Nutrova Kerastrength offers a thoughtful, clinically informed approach to supporting hair from within—without false promises or superficial fixes.
Pair it with a balanced diet, stress management, good sleep, and gentle hair care habits. Because when you support your body, your hair follows.
References
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Ablon, G. (2022). A Long-Term Study of the Safety and Efficacy of a Nutraceutical Supplement for Promoting Hair Growth in Perimenopausal, Menopausal, and Postmenopausal Women. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 21(7), 783. https://jddonline.com/articles/a-long-term-study-of-the-safety-and-efficacy-of-a-nutraceutical-supplement-for-promoting-hair-growth-in-perimenopausal-menopausal-and-postmenopausal-women-S1545961622P0783X/
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Le Floc’h, C., et al. (2015). Effect of a nutritional supplement on hair loss in women. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 14(1), 76–82. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.12145
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Kalén, A., et al. (1989). Ubiquinone levels in human skin and hair: Age-related decrease of ubiquinone content. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 93(6), 819–823. https://doi.org/10.1111/1523-1747.ep12292632
