{"id":17403,"date":"2021-07-09T12:47:44","date_gmt":"2021-07-09T16:47:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prose.com\/?p=17403"},"modified":"2025-06-18T13:12:01","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T17:12:01","slug":"finding-a-hair-supplement-that-works","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prose.com\/blog\/finding-a-hair-supplement-that-works","title":{"rendered":"5 Signs a Supplement is All Gimmick vs. The Real Deal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

1. The ingredients aren\u2019t standardized.<\/h2><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike prescription drugs, supplements are very loosely regulated<\/a> and monitored by the FDA. However, independent labs have shown<\/a> that even big-name brands have large dosing inconsistencies to what they tout on the ingredients label. The sign of a good supplement with accurate dosages and concentrated ingredients is that they are \u201cstandardized.\u201d This means every pill is produced in a consistent way, without varying degrees of dosages and efficacy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. The formula is just biotin and nothing else.<\/h2><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though biotin<\/a> is a key ingredient of a good hair supplement, taking biotin alone is not the most effective solution for hair growth. Rather, taking a holistic approach is the way to go. Found in foods like eggs, nuts, and salmon, biotin is a B vitamin that helps convert food into energy. While there\u2019s no scientific evidence that emphasizes taking biotin alone will dramatically increase hair growth, it\u2019s when biotin is combined with other vitamins and nutrients to address the multiple root causes of hair thinning that it can help support hair growth.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. The before and after images are shady.<\/h2><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a good look at the brand\u2019s results photos. Is the hair parted differently in the before than it is in the after? Are defining features cut out so you can\u2019t even tell if the before and after are the same person? Do the results look too drastically good to be true within the given time frame? These are all red flags that the hair supplement doesn\u2019t actually work. Look for before and after photos with consistent lighting and hair styling, defining features, and hair growth that looks real and achievable in the length of time advertised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. It\u2019s missing the ingredients necessary to grow hair.<\/h2><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hair thinning is usually attributed to more than one root cause, with factors like stress, nutrition, and hormones converging to cause shedding. Studies have shown<\/a> that a variety of vitamins and nutrients, like vitamins A through E, selenium, zinc, folic acid, biotin, and iron, play a role in balancing the body to support hair growth. Look for these ingredients, as well as lesser-known wonders like millet seed<\/a>\u2014which in an ex vivo study on millet extract has been shown to improve cell growth in hair bulbs by 140% while also increasing collagen thickness in the hair follicle\u2014when you\u2019re reading hair supplement labels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. It makes unrealistic claims.<\/h2><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be wary of hair supplements with claims like, \u201cGrows hair by X% in 30 days,\u201d or any brand that makes broad promises and hair growth guarantees with no published clinical studies to back them up. The truth is, everyone\u2019s hair grows at its own rate. Rather than buying into a one-size-fits-all promise, look to see if the brand has published scientific studies<\/a>. How well did the supplement perform for participants who share your hair issues, whether that\u2019s breakage, volume, shedding, or dullness? If you really want extra credit, you can research clinical studies on the efficacy of the supplement\u2019s hero ingredients.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs a hair supplement is the real deal.<\/h2><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that we\u2019ve gone over hair supplement red flags, here are the hallmarks of a real-deal supplement\u2014the kind that\u2019s research-backed, results-driven, and doesn\u2019t hide behind sugar, fillers, and Instagram filters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n