Personalized Vitamins as a Source for Hair Rejuvenation

Hair loss can be addressed with the right mix of vitamins, but many consumers fail to identify the appropriate vitamins through their retail shopping. A simple bottle of multivitamins is not likely to do the trick when you examine the “A to Z” range with low dosing on the back label. To get the optimal results, consumers need a personalized vitamin blend that is specific to their profile. A personalized vitamin quiz can help to determine if thinning hair can be addressed through your daily vitamin choices.

As practicing physicians, the one concern we both hear all the time from men and women alike—thinning hair. This complaint is both distressing and common. While men and women both express concerns, the reason for their hair loss can be different, but sometimes the root cause is the same (pun intended). Some hair loss is inevitable with age, but there are some easily reversible causes to this vexing problem, and vitamins are often a part of the solution. Hair loss for men is a commonly discussed topic. It is, in fact, a billion-dollar industry, flush with over-the-counter products, pharmaceuticals, transplantation procedures, and more. Yet we don’t even have a Hair Club for Women. But we should.

Hair loss and hair thinning is, in fact, a very common complaint of women of all ages. As physicians, hair loss in women is something we hear about daily. Yes, you heard us correctly. We have joked that a day at the office is not complete without some woman crying over her hair thinning, but it is in fact no laughing matter. This problem is a cause of great distress, and it should be taken very seriously. It seems that many women fear that it is a permanent state of affairs. However, our experience tells us it can most often be reversed or improved.

A substantial part of male hair loss is hormonal. What is described in the medical world as male pattern baldness is the typical receding hairline men get as they age and bald. The hairline above their forehead starts to slowly creep back. Sometimes it is cleverly disguised with a combover or other stealthy techniques. The crown can also start to thin out. These days, many men seem to go for broke and just shave their whole head at the sign of recession. We love the spirit of cutting your losses and going all out with the shave, but we caution that some men may be a bit hasty with this strategy, since there may in fact be options to help keep your head of hair intact. 

Male pattern baldness is caused by testosterone, the most male of hormones. All men have testosterone, but certain men seem to produce higher levels at older ages and a more active form that leads to the previously described pattern of loss. What can be done? To address the hormonal issue, a number of both topical and oral medications exist (which you can discuss with your doctor). These typically serve the same purpose: They act by blocking the testosterone receptors so the hormone does not take its toll. Propecia® is a prescription oral drug. Topical agents like minoxidil (also known by the brand name Rogaine®) block the effects of testosterone on the hair follicles locally. They can be helpful, but they only work as long as you keep applying them and they tend not to cause any regrowth of lost hair. Rather, they help maintain what hair you have. For men, this is particularly helpful if they start early. However, once you stop these medicines, the hair you tried to maintain tends to fall out. There are concerns that these drugs can contribute to male infertility, and some men note side effects such as sexual dysfunction, which should come as no surprise, given the drugs’ testosterone-blocking effects. In addition, because of these products’ effects on testosterone in male fetuses, women of childbearing age should not use them and pregnant women should not even touch them.

While the majority of women suffer from a diffuse thinning of the hair, some women actually suffer from male pattern baldness, which involves a generalized thinning of the hair and a recession at the temples and crown. Since the whole-head shave is not typically considered a great option for women, we must look to other solutions. One is a prescription medication called spironolactone (or Aldactone®, its brand name). This medicine is used for a number of medical conditions including heart and liver failure, but happens to also block testosterone receptors. It can be prescribed to women for male pattern baldness, with some success, although women who are pregnant or planning to be pregnant soon should not use it. In fact, they should be on birth control if pregnancy is a possibility. The use of Aldactone® also requires monitoring of electrolytes. It also takes many months to take effect, so patience is a must. This is a decision to discuss with your physician. Other solutions for men or women include hair transplantation, a process that has come a long way in the 2000s and if done by an experienced practitioner can be a great solution for those with severe male pattern baldness.

Other types of baldness should also be considered. For example, alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition where a limited area of hair falls out, leaving a big bald patch. This can be treated by a dermatologist, often with topical steroids. Another condition is called trichotillomania and is characterized by a compulsion to pull out one’s own hair. It can mimic alopecia areata in that bald patches arise, but they are self-inflicted. This is a psychiatric problem and should be addressed by a trained mental health professional. Hair loss or thinning can occur in association with mental or physical stress, pregnancy (for up to two years following delivery), hormone imbalances (especially thyroid issues and occasionally after stopping birth control), autoimmune disorders, in association with certain medications (and over-the-counter supplements—specifically, DHEA supplements marketed for “adrenal fatigue”), or occasionally after stopping birth control pills. 

If the above conditions are not present, we are left with what we most typically see as a cause for hair loss or diffuse thinning of the hair, vitamin deficiencies, which thankfully is a correctable problem. Certain nutrients are vital for healthy hair. Correcting deficiencies takes some time and patience, but it can help with hair loss! Starting a personalized vitamin service is a great starting point for tackling this problem area.