Can Zinc Actually Help Hair Growth? The short answer is a resounding yes! Research has repeatedly shown that zinc levels tend be lower in people who are experiencing a variety of hair loss conditions, like: Androgenetic alopecia, or female/male pattern baldness.
A good zinc supplement for hair loss will supply a good amount of the mineral, as well as other key hair nutrients such as biotin, vitamin C and iron. Clinical studies show that a good dosage of zinc for hair growth in women is 22 mg., depending on their age and if they are pregnant or nursing.
Several studies have shown positive results (3) when it comes to taking zinc supplements for hair health. Zinc supports hair growth, strengthens hair follicles and increases thickness. Just as zinc deficiency can cause hair loss, so can excess levels of zinc.
However, the hair loss caused by zinc deficiency tends to be temporary, presenting across the scalp as a condition called telogen effluvium. It can usually be reversed by treatments including an increased intake of zinc.
Zinc. Zinc can play a key role in making proteins in your hair and other cells. Your body can't make it, so you need to get it from food or supplements. Signs of low zinc levels include hair loss, poor wound healing, and a weak sense of taste or smell.
Another study, which involved 100 people with patchy hair loss from alopecia areata, stated that oral zinc sulphate is “one of the most effective treatment options” for alopecia areata, noting that it had a low relapse rate.
Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss.
It often takes 12 weeks before any improvement is seen. Long-term zinc supplementation requires 1–2 mg of copper per day to prevent copper deficiency.
When looking at the minerals needed for hair growth, one name stands above all others: zinc. Zinc is a big player in the body, necessary for a functioning immune system and physical growth. In fact, it's so important it's classified as an “essential mineral”, meaning your body needs it to be healthy.
Are you having problems with thinning hair or hair loss? If so, it could be because you have too much zinc in your diet. There have been many studies that show how too much zinc can lead to hair loss and other issues.
Zinc plays an important role in hair tissue growth and repair. It also helps keep the oil glands around the follicles working properly. Hair loss is a common symptom of zinc deficiency.
Although zinc won't increase your hair growth, including zinc in your diet can help prevent hair loss. A deficiency in zinc is associated with growth retardation, loss of appetite, skin irritation and impaired immune function.
A symptom of zinc deficiency is hair loss, so adding zinc to a hair, skin and nails supplement may help ensure suboptimal levels are corrected. Hair follicles and nails are fast growing and have a quick turnover, meaning they need plenty of zinc for cell growth.
When taken by mouth: Zinc is likely safe when used in amounts no greater than 40 mg daily. It is possibly safe when taken in larger doses, especially when used only for a short period of time. But taking doses higher than 40 mg daily might decrease how much copper the body absorbs.
Zinc may effectively reduce inflammation, boost immune health, reduce your risk of age-related diseases, speed wound healing, and improve acne symptoms.
When oral zinc is taken long term and in high doses it can cause copper deficiency. People with low copper levels might experience neurological issues, such as numbness and weakness in the arms and legs.
Zinc may reduce the duration of cold symptoms, support blood sugar management, improve severe and inflammatory acne, decrease heart disease risk, and slow the progression of macular degeneration.
Adults should avoid taking more than 40 mg of zinc each day. If you accidentally take more than this, it's more likely to cause stomach symptoms than any serious health problems. Check with your healthcare provider if you are considering taking zinc supplements.
Effective treatments for some types of hair loss are available. You might be able to reverse hair loss, or at least slow it. With some conditions, such as patchy hair loss (alopecia areata), hair may regrow without treatment within a year. Treatments for hair loss include medications and surgery.
Over-supplementation of certain nutrients, including selenium, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E, has actually been linked to hair loss [4,8–11].