Written By Venus L
One of the most elusive and problematic issues surrounding natural hair, many Naturalistas experience issues when trying to realize significant hair growth. While breakage and shrinkage certainly act as barriers in terms orchestrating large amounts of natural hair growth, there are also a number of ways these issues can be counteracted. One of the most notorious methods: utilizing various types vitamins that promote hair growth. That said, check out this list of potential vitamins for natural haired women to achieve more hair growth in lesser amounts of time.
Vitamin C
Known for helping to strengthen hair follicles, Vitamin C is best when used topically or eaten in the form or fresh fruits and vegetables. Utilized for its ability to promote healthy hair and scalps, Vitamin C is known to improve circulation which thus, helps attract more nutrients to the hair follicles. Nevertheless, taking a supplement can’t hurt, so, if this is the only form you have access to at the moment, give it a try and document the results!
Amino Acids
Known as the building blocks of protein, Amino Acids help promote hair growth by strengthening the hair follicle overall. Given that the body cannot produce this compounds, in order to benefit from the perks of Amino Acids, one must either take vitamins or rich in proteins such as meat and dairy and some nuts.
Biotin
An all but vital vitamin to natural hair growth, those bereft of Biotin are said to experience much slower than normal levels of hair and nail growth. Known for making hair grow faster and fuller, try this vitamin in order to increase your overall rate of hair growth. Biotin is most often taken in pill form.
Inositol (Vitamin B8)
This vitamin is known to help strengthen hair follicles by helping them to retain moisture. By carrying vital nutrients to some much-needed areas (such as the scalp), Inositol promotes hair growth in people from all different backgrounds. Best acquired via one’s diet, the best foods to each to receive higher levels of Inositol are citrus fruits, beans, nuts, broccoli, and blackberries, among other foods.
Choline
Considered one of the most powerful nutrients for skin, nails, and hair, Choline is a part of the Vitamin B family and also can be made naturally by the liver. Also found in a number of foods such as liver, fish, peas, eggs, and milk chocolate, taking this nutrient as a vitamin supplement is recommended in cases of extreme deficiency.
Zinc
Yet another nutrient that is considered vital for healthy skin, nails, and hair, Zinc deficiency is actually common amongst American women. What’s more, given that there is an established correlation between Zinc deficiency and hair loss, this makes keeping the body’s Zinc levels high, of the utmost importance to hair growth. Playing a crucial role in DNA and RNA production, Zinc also helps to regulate hormones which can help promote hair growth as well as prevent loss. Commonly found in foods such as spinach, sweet potatoes, chick peas, eggs, and oysters, if you are either allergic or bereft of these Zinc-filed foods, taking a supplement is the next best option.
Copper Peptides
Known to have both skin repair and hair growth enhancement effects, Copper Peptides are known to vastly improve skin health and thus, causing hair follicles to grow larger and ultimately produce greater amounts of hair, in a faster time frame. Available in a variety of oral and topical products, finding the right Copper Peptide formula for you largely depends on your individual needs.
MSM
Most well known for its role in tissue repair, MSM is a naturally occurring form of sulfur. Although a normal balanced diet should include enough MSM to promote the growth of hair, if you feel you may have a deficiency, there are a number of supplements and topical products on the market.
Vitamin E
An antioxidant known to help repair and build tissue, Vitamin E is an excellent option for those looking to increase their hair growth. An essential oil that helps heal various ailments associated with the body, Vitamin E is said to provide the effects of an around the clock, daily scalp massage when used regularly (i.e. vastly increased circulation). To use, you can take a supplement orally or you can poke a small hole in the supplement and rub the oil directly on your scalp.
Vitamin A
Most commonly found in fish oils, meat, milk, cheeses, and eggs, Vitamin A is known to help the body produce oils that promote healthy hair and scalps. Taking a supplement is an option but be advised, taking too much (over 25,000 IU per day) can actually result in drastic hair loss.
Just Eat Healthy!
Lastly, by just eating a diet rich in the foods mentioned on this list (i.e. fruits, vegetables, eggs, fish, healthy meats, nuts, etc) you will promote the growth of your hair naturally, and will also realize other benefits associated with eating a healthy diet.
Overall, there is no right or wrong way to promote the growth of your natural hair. While supplements can be a great asset to your hair care regimen, also be advised that some supplements can do more harm than good. It’s best to check with your doctor before committing to any change in your dietary regimen, but other than that, it is also imperative to note that everyone is different. What works for someone else, may yield unimpressive results for you. Therefore, when trying new products for hair growth it is best to start with a sample size (whenever possible) in order to avoid wasting large amounts of cash on useless supplements. Either way, don’t be afraid to try new things, but more importantly, never be afraid to stop using something that isn’t working. As long as a product doesn’t have adverse effects, trying it for a few weeks to a few months is fine. However, if you see zero results in a reasonable amount of time, it is likely a good idea to abandon ship and try something new!