Do Prenatal Vitamins Make Hair Grow
Theres no denying the pregnancy glow of a mom-to-beeven her tresses look thicker and more luminous. Perhaps you yourself experienced fuller, longer hair during pregnancy.
Whats the secret behind this lustrous pregnancy-related hair growth? Some swear by their prenatal vitaminsprompting women everywhere to flock to their nearest supplement aisle. But is it all hype? Could it just be hormones? Keep reading as we take a closer look at hair growth during pregnancy, the role prenatal vitamins play and if the benefits make it worth adding them to your hair-care routine, even if youre not expecting.
What Do Prenatal Vitamins Contain
All prenatal vitamins contain different combinations of micronutrients that are aimed to ensure a pregnant person and their baby get all the vitamins and minerals they need. However, pregnant people aren’t the only people who can take prenatals. They’re also recommended for people who are trying to get pregnant or are breast feeding. Every person is different, and that’s why finding a specific prenatal vitamin that works for you is key.
Dr. Banafsheh Bayati, MD, OB/GYN, FACOG is co-founder of Perelel Medical, the first & only OB/GYN-founded vitamin brand. Dr. Bayati explains that Perelel formulates prenatals that change with a woman’s needs from conception and through each trimester of pregnancy and post-partum.
“We identified the specific micronutrients and their appropriate RDA for women in the non-pregnant, pregnant, and lactation stages determined by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine , The RDA for many micronutrients including all the B vitamins, iron, vitamin D, zinc and selenium increase during pregnancy,” Dr. Bayati says. “Thus the IOM recommends a daily prenatal multivitamin before conception and during pregnancy. This is specifically to ensure adequate folate for rapid cell growth needed for fetal and placental development as well as increased need for iron supplementation.”
Which Vitamins Should You Avoid When Pregnant
Most studies show little to no relationship between folic acid levels and hair loss, particularly when compared to other hormones and nutrients that are closely linked to hair health. However, theres also a small amount of scientific research suggesting that folic acid may have some effect on growth.
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Prenatal Vitamins For Hair Growth Before And After Results
You already know that hair growth during pregnancy is stimulated by hormones. When not pregnant the vitamins play almost no role in growing your hair. However some users claim that there are some brands that work. The reason as to why they work is biotin. That means checking for biotin when buying these vitamins. Here is a video testimonial from a youtuber
References
Choose A Supplement Designed With Your Hair In Mind
Many pregnant women do radiate a gorgeous glow, and provoke hair-envy in those of us who aren’t in the mom zone. But realize that their rush of pinked cheeks and thicker, denser hair is probably the result of tsunamis of estrogen. And if she’s a smart mother-to-be, she’s eating and living with great intention.
Emulate this intention and dedication to whole-woman health, including hair wellness supplements like GRO Biotin Gummies for Hair or GRO+ Advanced Hair Care Gummies with Hemp, both designed for your hair. Soon your hair will shine with the results no babies required.
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A trend to get longer and thicker locks is to take prenatal vitamins, even if youâre not pregnant. Some people try this because itâs said that one of the visible benefits of prenatal vitamins is rapid and healthy hair growth. But is that actually true? To understand if prenatal vitamins could help your hair, you have to know what prenatal vitamins are and what is in them.
The Bald Truth On Whether Prenatal Vitamins Help Hair Growth In Men
Prenatal vitamins are designed for mom and baby, but rumor is men may benefit from taking prenatal vitamins for hair growth. If you’re a guy looking to preserve your hair, you may be curious. However, although the nutrients may offer healthy returns, prenatals could cause more harm than good in men.
âRead more:â Can Men Use Women’s Vitamins?
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Does Crushing Smashing Or Putting Prenatal Vitamins In Shampoo For Hair Growth Work
Some users claim that smashing or crushing the supplement pills in shampoo or soap may help. This probably may not be helpful.
Prenatal vitamins need to be absorbed by living cells of the dermal papillae and not the dead cells of the hair follicle. The active form of the vitamin also needs to be absorbed by the cells and not a degraded less bioactive product as a result of oxidative effect of UV which is in the environment. UV has been shown to degrade folic acid into its less active metabolites and non-bioactive form of folic acid. The bioactive form of folic acid is methyl tetrahydrofolate. This is the compound that is required for the synthesis of DNA. UVA radiation showed that UVR exposure results in the cleavage of folic acid to form p-aminiobenzoyl-L-glutamic acid and 6-forml pterin
To add, these vitamins are protein coated and are not formulated in their free form as derived from dietary sources. For instance, vitamin B 12 in its protein bound form it should first be degraded by proteases in the stomach and the duodenum. Afterwards it will bind to the R-binder in the walls of the duodenum. In the duodenum, it will undergo further degradation. After the second phase in the duodenum, the pancreas then secretes proteases that degrade the R-binders holding the vitamin B 12.
Will Prenatal Vitamins Help My Hair Grow
There isnt any evidence showing that prenatal vitamins improve hair or nail strength and quality. The pregnancy glow, lustrous hair, and strong nails pregnant women often have are more likely a result of hormone shifts in pregnancy and not due to taking prenatal vitamins.
So unless you have a severe pre-existing nutritional deficiency that can damage hair health , the nutrients that make prenatals special wont make your hair or nails grow . Youre better off sticking with a daily multivitamin and trying other tools for improving hair health.
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How To Use Prenatal Vitamins For Hair Growth
by Edan MasorSep 23, 2021
Prenatal vitamins are commonly taken as supplements for hair growth, particularly by women who arent pregnant. Although the evidence for this use of prenatal vitamins is shaky, there are a variety of reasons why women take prenatal vitamins for hair growth.
We dont advise taking Viviscal vitamins if youre pregnant or breastfeeding. Consult your doctor before beginning any vitamin supplement regimen if you are planning to get pregnant, are currently pregnant, or are nursing. We do not recommend the use of Viviscal vitamins during pregnancy or while lactating.
During pregnancy, its a common fear among many women. Youve probably heard about prenatal vitamins for hair growth and wondered if they aid in the prevention or treatment of hair loss during pregnancy. Though its not known whether taking prenatal supplements promotes hair growth and nail development, over-the-counter prenatal supplements may assist in a variety of ways throughout pregnancy.
For preserving your body and general health throughout pregnancy, youll need an adequate balance of Omega fatty acids, B-vitamins, iron, folate, and other important minerals. Prenatal multivitamin tablets are supplemented with these vital nutrients to assure that you get enough vitamins and minerals during pregnancy.
Contents
Prenatal Vitamins For Hair Growth: Do They Work
If you know someone who went through a pregnancy, you may have noticed their hair became noticeably stronger, shinier, and longer after getting pregnant.
This isnt surprising since hair growth is one of the welcome side effects of having a baby.
Thanks to an increase in certain hormones like estrogen, longer, stronger hair can appear during pregnancy.
However, many people claim that this thicker hair growth during pregnancy is thanks to prenatal vitamins, which contain high amounts of folic acid, iron, and calcium.
Some multivitamins can even contain biotin, famously associated with optimal hair care.
Naturally, you may be wondering if prenatal vitamins can help you grow out thick, lustrous tresses.
You may also wonder if prenatal vitamins are safe for non-pregnant women to take.
This guide from USA Rx goes over everything you need to know about prenatal vitamins, including what exactly theyre made of, whether they really help with hair growth, and how safe they are for those who arent pregnant.
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Garden Of Life Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal
Garden of life vitamin code raw prenatal is available in 180 capsules, 30 capsules and 90 capsules pack. This helps in supporting the immune system in you and your unborn baby. This vitamin helps in healthy digestion and elimination. It contains ginger, Vitamin D, probiotics, and zinc. This helps to ease digestive problems during pregnancy. Garden of life vitamin code raw prenatal supplement supports heart and blood health, as this contain Vitamins C, E, Folate, Iron and B-Complex.
Benefits Of Taking Prenatal Vitamins
Pregnant women are largely benefitted from taking prenatal vitamins.
- If she is not having a well-balanced diet and nutrition is deficient, prenatal vitamins can supply adequate nutrition to the baby.
- She will find every necessary nutrient in these vitamins.
- The vitamins also support the women who are trying to conceive.
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What Are The Disadvantages Of Taking Prenatal Vitamins If Youre Not Pregnant
Prenatal vitamins contain key nutrients for both mom and baby. Some of these nutrients can be found in womens multivitamins. And yes, the body does need these nutrients, but in a different dosage. The levels of nutrients should be adjusted to your needs and your body must be ready to eliminate the excess, as it can only process what it needs. The rest? It will typically go down the drain, but it can also cause serious damage.
Side effects are diverse:
- Too much iron can cause nausea, constipation, vomiting, diarrhea, losing weight, weakness and lack of energy. In time, too much iron can start affecting vital organs such as the heart and the liver.
- Too much folic acid can be dangerous as well. Its linked to colorectal cancer and can mask a vitamin B12 deficiency.
- Too much calcium can cause kidney stones and imbalances in heart function.
- Too much biotin from prenatal vitamins can cause rashes and digestive issues.
- Too much vitamin A is toxic to the liver, causing digestive issues.
A Nice Perk Of Pregnancy
Pregnancy also naturally brings about some hair perks.
Its very common for women during pregnancy to experience changes in their hair growth and texture.
These changes are due to the pregnancy hormones being secreted by your body.
One hormone in particular is estrogen, which is seen in higher levels than normal.
Estrogen prolongs the growth phase of hair.
So not only is hair growing faster but its less likely to shed or fall out.
This also leads to thicker hair.
Some women notice a healthier sheen to their hair, as well.
During pregnancy, your blood circulation increases and helps push extra nutrients to your hair .
As for the texture change, some women might experience their curly hair becoming straighter.
Your original hair texture and growth rate will most likely head back to normal about 3 to 6 months after giving birth.
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Best Recommendations And Buying Guide For Your Prenatal Vitamins For Hair Growth
Before you venture out to purchase your preferred prenatal vitamins for hair growth, take into consideration some factors. These factors will ultimately help you decide which prenatal vitamins for hair growth is the right fit for your requirements.
Use the internet to do your research about all the available prenatal vitamins for hair growths in the market. This is helpful for both online and retail/ in-person purchases. If you are buying from an online marketplace, try to ascertain the most trustworthy online store. Usually, the online shops that have the highest following of masses are the best ones.
These shops not only provide reliable products but also give the buyers a lot of diversified products to choose from. Search for the different types of prenatal vitamins for hair growth available in the online store and find ones to choose from.
Read the reviews of people on the online pages to understand the detailed and nuanced pros and cons that entail this particular prenatal vitamins for hair growth. You can also understand through other peoples reviews whether a particular prenatal vitamins for hair growth fits your needs.
Assessing products online before buying the desired products from retail shops is also a very common phenomenon.
While doing the crucial research on the prenatal vitamins for hair growths available in the market, you might ask yourself a few questions that will help you reach your decision:
What Doctors Say About Taking Prenatal Vitamins When You’re Not Pregnant
Anna Chacon, M.D., F.A.A.D., says not so much: “It has long been believed that prenatal vitamins lead to longer, healthier and thicker hair in women, even if they are not pregnant. However, many also forget that during pregnancy, your hair grows faster and thicker as more of your follicles are in the anagen or growth phase. In general, prenatal vitamins won’t help significantly unless you are deficient in those specific vitamins which provide nutrition to the hair follicle. This myth arises because pregnant women who take prenatal vitamins usually have thicker, longer and faster-growing hair due to the hormonal changes in pregnancy which cause an increased blood flow to the hair and nails.”
While it’s tempting to try to approximate the coveted baby-glow without taking the step of an actual pregnancy, it seems that the numbers just don’t add up.
Sharleen St. Surin-Lord, M.D., F.A.A.D., said, “The purpose of prenatal vitamins is to ensure that a growing fetus has all the nutrients it needs to develop well. For example, folic acid is needed for neural tube development. I do not recommend buying prenatal vitamins just to grow hair and nails. Biotin at 5,000 micrograms or 5 milligrams daily is sufficient to strengthen hair and nails and is some benefit. But leave the prenatals to expectant moms.”
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Do Prenatal Vitamins Help Hair Growth
Even though we now know whats really driving the thicker, fuller hair growth women experience during pregnancy, is it fair to completely rule out the role of prenatal vitamins in their new supermodel-esque strands? After all, prenatal vitamins are packed with essential vitamins and minerals that are critical to a babys healthy developmentthats got to mean something, right?
Truth be told, the excitement around prenatal vitamins being the secret to helping hair grow faster is tied to the fact that some of the vitamins and minerals in prenatal vitamins just happen to be key nutrients required for healthy hair, namely B vitamins like biotin and folic acid, the latter which is responsible for healthy cell growth, something our hair, skin and nails count on. And with pregnant women as walking billboards for bombshell hair, its no wonder that women who arent pregnant are heading to the supplement aisle to address their hair loss concerns.
Is It Safe To Take Prenatal Vitamins For Hair Growth
The primary problem with women taking prenatal vitamins for hair growth when they arent pregnant is that, unlike women who are growing a baby and who will benefit from the additional nutritional support, our bodies dont actually need the higher amounts of certain vitamins and minerals that prenatal vitamins provide.
And in some instances, like in the case of iron, prenatal vitamins could do more harm than good and even lead to toxicity if they are consumed in excessthis risk extends to pregnant women, too. Taking too much iron for too long a period, especially over the age of 50, can result in side effects such as stomach pain, nausea and liver complications. Keep in mind, however, that not all prenatal vitamins contain iron, so always read the labels and consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet or adding any new supplements.
The fact of the matter is that most women who arent pregnant are able to get sufficient levels of the nutrients they need through a healthy and well-balanced diet. And a regular multivitamin is more than capable of filling any food gaps in your diet for your hair health and beyond.
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How Do Prenatal Vitamins Differ From Regular Multi
Prenatal vitamins are specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of pregnant women and their babies. These supplements include a high amount of folic acid, as well as vitamin A and iron.
The first thing you should know about prenatal is that they won’t help your longer hair grow faster or make it thicker overnight. It takes time for your strands to get healthier, so they can grow more effectively.
Secondly, prenatal doesn’t contain the same ingredients as regular multi-vitamins. For example, most prenatal vitamins don’t include zinc or vitamin E while these minerals are often included in non-prenatal multivitamins.
Prenatal Vitamins For Hair Growth
Some people do take prenatal vitamins to try and grow their hair and claim to know what the best prenatal vitamins for hair growth are, but there arenât any studies to back up the claims that these vitamins help with hair growth. In fact, prenatal vitamins donât contain any of the main ingredients known to support hair growth, like curcumin or saw palmetto.
Some people assume it must be prenatal vitamins causing the hair growth many pregnant women experience. In reality, the hormonal changes during pregnancy are what causes the hair growth, not the vitamins. So there is no reason to take prenatal vitamins for hair growth.
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