Inside or Out: How Hair Supplements Work Compared to Professional Lotions and Shampoos

Supplements "for the beauty of hair, skin and nails" occupy the third place in popularity among all dietary supplements, second only to multivitamins and means for energy. However, many choose them at random, not understanding how they work. About whether such tablets really help to grow hair and whether it is necessary to take tests before admission, in an interview with "MK in St. Petersburg" told trichologist Maria Khaldina.

According to the expert, all hair supplements can be divided into two large groups. The first is the “building material”: amino acids, hydrolyzed keratin and protein. The second group is vitamins and trace elements, which are needed by the body as a whole, but are especially important for maintaining health and hair growth.

It is important to understand the difference between tablets and external remedies. Shampoos and lotions work locally on the scalp: they stimulate cell division, relieve inflammation, or protect against oxidative stress. The pills affect the whole body. Minoxidil and finasteride remain the strongest drugs for oral administration, but they have serious side effects, so not everyone is ready to drink them.

As part of ordinary dietary supplements, sulfur-containing amino acids, collagen, vitamins and minerals are most often found. Sometimes manufacturers add sabal palm extract - it helps with androgenetic alopecia. The main thing is that the raw materials are of high quality, and the dosages are clear. It is best to entrust the selection of such funds to a doctor.

Many people drink supplements without a specialist. According to Maria Khaldina, dietary supplements usually do not require a special examination. However, if you are treated by a doctor, he will first find out what is preventing hair from growing.

“For example, if there is a suspicion of digestive or absorption disorders, a general blood test, studies for liver enzymes, bilirubin, cholesterol, glucose may be necessary. As a result, the doctor can prescribe not only supplements that directly stimulate growth, but also others that affect the condition of hair indirectly, helping to solve a particular health problem, the expert explained.