The Importance of Nutrients for Healthy Hair
Having healthy and strong hair depends on your body having nutrients in adequate levels, including vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids (molecules that our body is unable to synthesize by itself). In addition to obtaining them through food, there are products that provide you with the optimal amounts to help you with hair care.
B Vitamins and Their Role in Hair Health
Although their characteristics and functions are different, the eight B vitamins have in common that they facilitate obtaining energy through the foods you consume and actively participate in the regeneration of your cells. Within this group of vitamins, some are worth highlighting for their positive effects on your hair.
Vitamins B3, B6 and B5: Protection and Strengthening of the Hair Follicle
Vitamin B3, called niacin, protects the health of hair follicles against oxidative damage and gives your hair a young and healthy appearance. In addition, it has an antioxidant effect, helps prevent hair loss, and participates in the metabolism of keratin, the protein that forms the structure of hair and nails. Similarly, vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is also involved in the metabolism of keratin and facilitates the transport of oxygen in the blood, which is essential for having healthy and strong hair.
Vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid is essential for many vital processes and has among its qualities the ability to improve the shine, strength, thickness and elasticity of your hair. In addition, it restores hydration, which helps protect it from styling and other environmental damage.
Biotin (Vitamin B7/B8): The Star Vitamin for Hair
However, of all the vitamins that make up this group B, the one that has been most associated with hair health is biotin, also known as vitamin H – as it was called at the beginning when it was discovered a little more than 80 years ago – or vitamin B7 or B8. It is a nutrient present in multiple foods, from viscera such as kidneys or liver to nuts, in addition to egg yolk, avocado, tomato, fish or brewer’s yeast.
How Biotin Works in Preventing Hair Loss
Biotin has long been associated with the health of hair and nails, especially because it has been found that people who have a deficiency of this vitamin experience greater hair loss. Consequently, it is considered that, if you have adequate levels of biotin in your body, your hair will look healthier and stronger. In addition, like other vitamins mentioned, biotin promotes blood microcirculation and the arrival of nutrients to the hair follicles, thus promoting hair growth.
Biotin in the Treatment of Telogen Effluvium
Therefore, biotin, along with other nutrients, is widely used in food supplements to strengthen hair and nails and promote growth in cases of seasonal hair loss or telogen effluvium. As you can see in other posts, telogen effluvium is a transient hair loss more intense than usual that may be due to multiple causes such as changes of season, stress, nutritional deficiencies or in certain stages of life, such as postpartum.
Pilopeptan® Products: Comprehensive Solutions with Biotin
Biotin and Pilopeptan® products
In situations like these, it may be useful to resort to some supplements that help stimulate the growth of your hair and strengthen it.
For example, Pilopeptan® Woman Tablets*, with vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9 and biotin, along with iron, zinc, selenium, L-cystine, L-methionine, hydrolyzed collagen and hyaluronic acid that help the normal maintenance of hair and nails.
Pilopeptan® Intensive*, in drinkable sachets, is a food supplement formulated with specific ingredients for hair such as vitamins B5 and B6, in addition to zinc and collagen, it can be used as an intensive treatment prior to other anti-hair loss nutritional supplements for its rapid results in just 30 days
Pilopeptan® Capsules*, which contains biotin, in addition to vitamins B2, B3, B5 and B6, together with vitamin E, zinc, selenium, calcium, phosphorus, is a food supplement that provides the body with the necessary components that help maintain hair in optimal conditions.
It is also interesting to use topical products rich in biotin and other ingredients to care for your hair such as Pilopeptan® Woman Anti-Hair Loss Shampoo and to recover volume and density; Pilopeptan® Woman Repairing Hair Mask to stop hair loss due to breakage, regenerating the hair fiber and Pilopeptan® Woman Repairing Serum to seal the cuticles and restore the good appearance to dry or damaged hair.
Professional Recommendations for Hair Care
In any case, do not forget to consult with your doctor, pharmacist or other health professional to advise you on the best way to improve your diet and what type of food supplement best suits your needs.
*Do not exceed the expressly recommended dose. Do not use as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Keep the product out of the reach of younger children.
Bibliography
- National Institutes of Health (NIH). Data on biotin
https://ods.od.nih.gov/pdf/factsheets/Biotin-DatosEnEspanol.pdf - Ablon Glynis. A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study Evaluating the Efficacy of an Oral Supplement in Women with Self-perceived Thinning Hair. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2012;5(11):28–34
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3509882 - Moreno, G et al. Effectiveness of a food supplement in the health of hair and nails in women with telogen effluvium. Combination of a shock treatment and a maintenance treatment: preliminary study. National Congress of Dermatology and Venereology. Palma de Mallorca, 2018.
