What Are the Best Supplements and Procedures for Women’s Hair Loss? 10 Options to Consider

Women’s hair loss can happen for many different reasons. It can be genetic, caused by hormonal changes, or linked to nutritional deficiencies. Certain medications, health conditions like thyroid disease, and even stress can also lead to hair loss in women.

No matter the cause, if you’re losing your hair, it’s common to look for supplements or procedures that may help. But what are the best supplements for women’s hair loss? And do hair loss procedures really make a difference? Here, we’ll look at what the science says about 10 common supplements and procedures for women’s hair loss.

1. Vitamin D

What it is: Vitamin D is important for hair health. If you don’t get enough vitamin D, your hair growth and health may decline. You can get vitamin D from sun exposure and from eating foods high in vitamin D. Vitamin D supplements are also available both over the counter (OTC) or by prescription.

What the research says: There seems to be a link between low vitamin D levels and the development of female-pattern hair loss (FPHL, androgenetic alopecia). There’s also a connection between low vitamin D levels and alopecia areata (AA), an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss.

But even though low vitamin D levels are linked to hair loss, there’s not much evidence that taking vitamin D will help hair grow back. In one study, vitamin D supplements didn’t improve FPHL by themselves. But when combined with topical minoxidil (Rogaine), it worked better than minoxidil alone. Several small studies also showed an improvement in AA when using topical vitamin D (calcipotriene, Dovonex).

Worth a try? Talk to your healthcare team about testing your vitamin D levels. If your levels are too low, it’s important to get them up to normal for your overall health. But it isn’t clear if this will fix any damage done to your hair. If your vitamin D levels are already normal, taking extra vitamin D isn’t likely to make any difference. Keep in mind that taking too much vitamin D can be harmful and should be avoided. You can also talk to your prescriber to see if topical vitamin D is an option for you.

2. Fish oil (omega-3 fatty acids)

What it is: Fish oil is an extract that contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega fatty acids support heart health, have anti-inflammatory effects, and support healthy skin. But they don’t seem to play a direct role in hair health.

What the research says: One small study looked at an omega-3 and omega-6 supplement combined with antioxidants in people with FPHL. After 6 months, participants reported less hair loss and thicker hair. There’s also some evidence that omega-3 and omega-6 supplements may help improve inflammatory skin conditions that can lead to hair loss in some people.

Worth a try? There isn’t much evidence that fish oil or omega fatty acid supplements improve hair loss. And it’s best to get omega-3s from your diet. Omega-3s can be found in foods such as salmon, walnuts, and chia seeds. If you’re interested in taking a fish oil supplement, talk to your prescriber first. Fish oil is not recommended for everyone. Fish oil side effects can include bad-smelling breath or sweat, diarrhea, and nausea.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• What causes hair loss? Here are the 10 most common reasons people lose their hair, including age, hormones, stress, and more. 

• Could your medication be to blame? Check out this list of 14 common medications that can cause hair loss. Is yours on it?

• What’s it like to live with alopecia? Lauren Brady, co-founder of the This Is Me Foundation, shares her experiences living with alopecia areata, a condition that makes her hair fall out.

3. Ashwagandha

What it is: Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that’s made from an evergreen shrub. It seems to help manage stress and anxiety. Some types of hair loss are linked to high stress levels, like telogen effluvium. Because of this, ashwagandha may be beneficial in stress-related hair loss.

What the research says: One small study found that topical ashwagandha improved hair growth and health in people with mild to moderate hair loss. Many studies on oral ashwagandha also include several other compounds, so it’s hard to know how much ashwagandha helps on its own.

Worth a try? If your hair loss is primarily due to stress, an ashwagandha supplement may be worth a try. But be sure to check with your healthcare team first. Ashwagandha can interact with several medications and health conditions. Side effects can include nausea, diarrhea, and liver problems.

4. Saw palmetto

What it is: Saw palmetto is an extract made from the berries of the Serenoa repens tree. It’s been found to block an enzyme that turns testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This led to interest in taking it for hormonal hair loss caused by high DHT levels.

What the research says: One small study found that both oral and topical saw palmetto reduced hair loss and improved hair density after 16 weeks. A clinical review concluded that saw palmetto supplements may lead to modest hair regrowth. But most of the studies that were reviewed used other treatments along with saw palmetto or only looked at its effects in men.

Worth a try? Saw palmetto is usually well tolerated and has few drug interactions. Still, there’s little evidence that it helps with women’s hair loss. It may also lead to birth defects if it’s taken during pregnancy. For these reasons, it’s best to avoid this supplement unless your prescriber recommends it.

5. Biotin

What it is: Biotin is another name for vitamin B7. Low biotin levels are associated with thinning hair and hair loss. This has led to it being one of the top supplements people turn to for hair health.

What the research says: Most of the research on biotin for hair loss is of low quality. A recent clinical review found that the few high-quality studies available show biotin has no benefit for hair loss. However, low biotin levels are common in women with hair loss. In these cases, a biotin supplement may be helpful.

Worth a try? A biotin supplement may help reduce or prevent hair loss caused by low biotin levels. But it’s unlikely to help with other causes of hair loss. That being said, many people report that it seems to make a difference, regardless of what the research says. Biotin supplements can interfere with blood tests for vitamin D, thyroid levels, and certain hormones. So, it’s best to check with your prescriber before taking it.

6. Pumpkin seed oil

What it is: Pumpkin seed oil contains omega fatty acids as well as compounds that lower DHT levels.

What the research says: One small study compared topical pumpkin seed oil to minoxidil 5% in women with FPHL. Minoxidil worked better, but pumpkin seed oil did show some benefit in improving hair growth. Most other studies on pumpkin seed oil only included men, so its effects in women are still unclear.

Worth a try? There’s little evidence that pumpkin seed oil will help with women’s hair loss. But if you want to try it as a topical treatment, it’s unlikely to cause any harm. Oral pumpkin seed oil supplements carry similar risks to fish oil and saw palmetto, so check with your prescriber before trying them.

7. Rosemary oil

What it is: Rosemary oil comes from the leaves of the rosemary shrub. It’s thought to have anti-inflammatory effects and reduce stress and anxiety. It also seems to block DHT activity in the body.

What the research says: The available studies on topical rosemary oil for hair loss were done in men or animals. So it isn’t clear whether it helps with hair loss in women.

Worth a try? There’s not enough evidence to recommend topical rosemary for women’s hair loss. That said, the available evidence doesn’t show any harm from using it, other than the possibility of mild skin irritation.

8. Collagen

What it is: Collagen is a protein found throughout your body. Your body naturally makes less collagen as you age.

What the research says: There’s some evidence that collagen may help improve skin hydration and elasticity. But when it comes to hair loss, the evidence isn’t as clear. That’s because there haven’t been any good studies on collagen supplements and hair. 

Worth a try? Probably not if you’re taking it only for hair loss. 

9. Platelet-rich plasma injections

What it is: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections use your own blood. A small amount of your blood is drawn and processed to separate the plasma and platelets. This mixture is then injected into your scalp. It’s thought that the growth factors in your plasma can help stimulate hair growth.

What the research says: Review studies suggest that PRP injections are an effective treatment for most types of hair loss in women. But since PRP isn’t FDA approved for hair loss, there isn’t a standard dose or method for this treatment. So, the results can vary depending on how the treatment is done.

Worth a try? Based on the evidence, PRP injections are likely to improve hair loss. It’s considered a safe procedure with few side effects, and people report being satisfied with the results. That said, PRP injections can be expensive and they’re usually not covered by insurance. You’ll also likely need to continue receiving periodic PRP injections in order to maintain the results. So this may not be an accessible treatment option for everyone.

10. Microneedling

What it is: Microneedling is a procedure that involves a roller with tiny needles applied to your scalp. This produces micro-injuries that seem to stimulate hair follicles, increase collagen production, and help topical hair loss treatments work better.

What the research says: Microneedling seems to work well on its own. But most studies look at it combined with other treatments, such as PRP injections or minoxidil. Like PRP injections, microneedling isn’t FDA-approved for hair loss. So, the needle size and frequency of treatments hasn’t been well established, which can make results inconsistent.

Worth a try? Microneedling may be a good addition to a hair loss treatment plan for women. Side effects can include scalp irritation, mild bleeding, or infection. Some people try microneedling at home. But it’s safer to have it done by a professional to avoid injury or infection. The cost of microneedling may be high, and it’s unlikely to be covered by insurance. If you take blood thinners, have eczema or psoriasis on your scalp, or are immunocompromised, microneedling may not be a safe option for you.

Do Nutrafol and other combination vitamins for hair loss work?

They might help, but it’s important to look at the ingredients. Nutrafol is a supplement marketed for hair growth. It contains a variety of ingredients, such as ashwagandha, saw palmetto, and biotin. Several studies show that it may improve hair growth and thickness and reduce hair loss in women. Viviscal is another multi-ingredient supplement that seems to help reduce hair loss in women.

Because these vitamins contain multiple ingredients, it’s best to discuss their safety with your healthcare team before trying them. In many cases, you may be able to get similar benefits by modifying your diet, which is often a more cost-effective option.

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Written by:

Jill Barat, PharmD

Jill Barat, PharmD has 10 years of experience as a pharmacist, including as the pharmacist in charge at an independent sterile and non-sterile compounding pharmacy. She was also head of medical content for a telemedicine company.

Reviewed by:

Sarah Gupta, MD

Sarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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