Does Taking Nutrafol for Hair Growth Really Work?

Hair growth supplements have always been popular. After all, the idea of swallowing a single pill daily to grow longer, more luscious locks almost seems too good to be true. Sometimes, it is – but is that the case with Nutrafol?

Nutrafol has gained massive popularity in recent years, claiming to be able to treat many different types of hair loss. The question is, does Nutrafol work as a hair loss treatment, or is it worth skipping? Keep reading to learn all you need to know.

What is Nutrafol?

First, let’s get to grips with what Nutrafol is. Nutrafol is essentially a brand of hair growth supplements, with the supplements themselves containing natural, often plant-based ingredients that can help stimulate new growth.

On the Nutrafol website, the supplement claims to be able to target several key roots of hair thinning and loss, including:

• Hormones
• Lifestyle
• Stress
• Nutrition
• Ageing
• Metabolism

The brand also claims that users can see a difference in growth within 3-6 months.

Does Nutrafol Work for Hair Growth?

So, is Nutrafol hair growth real? Can it help with stress hormonal-induced hair loss?

While plenty of people boast online that they’ve experienced amazing Nutrafol hair results, it’s always best to look at clinical studies.

One study aimed to look at the safety and effectiveness, looking specifically at Nutrafol women results. It was a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled study over six months. The results showed that many participants experienced hair growth after six months, with the approach targeting stress, micro-inflammation, and oxidative damage.

Lawsuits Against Nutrafol

While the above study seems amazingly positive, it’s crucial to note that Nutrafol has been the target of a lawsuit that claims the brand has misbranded its product and provided false advertising. In the lawsuit, it is claimed: [2]

“By using this deceitful scheme to create a false aura of scientific and pharmaceutical legitimacy to sell the Products at a premium price, Defendant violates New York, California, New Jersey, and Illinois consumer protection law.”

One of the main reasons behind this claim is that Nutraceutical Wellness, the parent brand of Nutrafol, sponsored all clinical studies, meaning that the results should not be taken at face value.

Does This Mean Nutrafol Is a Scam?

Not necessarily – Nutrafol hair growth may still be possible. However, it points to the fact that Nutrafol has already made false claims within its advertising campaigns, which can be enough to put people off.

What’s needed now is more independent clinical trials to show just how effective the supplement is.

Nutrafol Reviews from Users

It can also help to look at online reviews of Nutrafol hair growth from users – although take these with a grain of salt, as some reviews may be sponsored by Nutrafol.

Looking at Real Self reviews, it’s clear that some of the users experienced genuinely good results with this supplement. One user said:

“Absolutely amazing and doesn’t take more than 3 months to see results. This is a great item, and the reps are so informative. A must for hair supplements. Easy to use, affordable and natural. I love the results.”

However, looking elsewhere, you can see that reviews are largely mixed, with some very negative ones thrown in. For example, Trustpilot, a trusted platform for seeing other users’ reviews, gives Nutrafol a total of 1.8 stars out of 5, which is very poor. Some of these negative reviews focus more on shipping issues; however, others note that the product is not worth it as they didn’t experience any change within the six months.

If you decide to try Nutrafol, it’s a good idea to use a hair track app to monitor your growth and see if it actually works for you.

The Ingredients in Nutrafol

To look more closely at whether the physician formulated supplement can promote hair growth, let’s examine the ingredients.

Biotin: Biotin, also known as Vitamin B7, is an essential vitamin that helps with various metabolic processes, including forming glucose and fatty acids. A deficiency in Biotin is directly linked to poor hair health, specifically, thinning hair or hair loss. Therefore, it’s a good ingredient to include in hair growth supplements and can contribute to healthy hair growth.

Marine Collagen: You have probably heard about collagen, the essential protein that keeps your skin plump and young-looking. Marine collagen specifically comes from (as you’d expect) marine life, such as fish skin and scales. As well as helping boost healthy skin, it can be highly beneficial for the hair follicles, encouraging repair and boosting growth.

Saw Palmetto: Saw palmetto is a natural ingredient from a shrub-like palm tree that grows in the United States. It treats a wide variety of ailments, such as prostate issues, pelvic pain, and migraines. It can also benefit hair growth due to its natural ability to inhibit the production of DHT, a hormone that contributes to hair loss.

Curcumin: Curcumin is found in turmeric. It has numerous incredible anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants, making it great for staying healthy. Like saw palmetto, curcumin can also reduce the production of DHT and other androgens, hormones responsible for hair loss. On top of that, its anti-inflammatory properties can treat inflamed hair follicles.

Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha is a plant native to Africa and Asia. [3] Its properties are incredible, as it can lower blood pressure, swelling, and stress levels. That can be useful for combating any hair loss caused by stress, also known as telogen effluvium.

Lysine: Lysine is already present in your body and works to build and make proteins. Some people with the herpes virus take lysine supplements due to its antiviral effects. It can also be helpful with hair loss as it boosts collagen production while helping the body absorb iron and calcium better, two nutrients essential to healthy hair.

All of these ingredients are highly beneficial for healthy hair.

Should You Use Nutrafol?

The dermatologist recommended hair growth supplement brand claims that Nutrafol supports the hair growth cycle and fights several causes of hair loss. The problem is that the Nutrafol brand has been subject to a lawsuit due to false advertising, which does not fill users with hope. Plus, many mixed reviews online indicate that not everyone experiences excellent results with the supplement.

So, should you give Nutrafol hair supplement a try?

With all the powerful ingredients in Nutrafol hair growth supplements, there is a significant chance that it can improve hair health and even prevent hair loss. However, those who do not have a deficiency causing hair loss will likely not experience tangible results with it. Here are some things to consider before purchasing Nutrafol.

Nutritional Deficiencies: Is a nutritional deficiency causing your hair loss? Rather than guessing and buying a supplement like Nutrafol, getting a blood test from a professional doctor is best.

The Cost: There is no denying that Nutrafol hair supplements are far more expensive compared to many other supplements. If it’s out of your budget, looking at cheaper options is best. For example, you can get simple biotin supplements for a fifth of the price.

Potential Side Effects: Keep in mind there are potential side effects associated with Nutrafol, including diarrhoea, nausea, and cramping. These are mild symptoms, but they are still worth considering, especially if you are sensitive to Biotin. Also, Nutrafol may not mix well with other medications you are taking, such as blood thinners.

Consider a More Researched Hair Loss Solution

Other hair restoration solutions are available, many of which have much more research behind them than Nutrafol. Hair loss medications such as minoxidil and finasteride are backed by scientific research and have been fully clinically tested, making them safe to use and likely to help with growth.

Another effective solution is a hair transplant. While the upfront cost of a hair transplant is more expensive than Nutrafol, the cost of Nutrafol quickly rises over time, as you will need to keep purchasing the supplements. A hair transplant is a single procedure with results that last a lifetime. It is a minimally invasive surgery that takes healthy hair follicles from one area of the scalp and plants them into another area, where healthy hair can begin to grow. It’s a good option for those experiencing significant hair loss who have not had much success with supplements like Nutrafol.

Hair Growth Nutrafol: Final Thoughts

Nutrafol claims to be able to treat a variety of hair thinning causes, but can hair loss hormones female or stress-induced hair thinning be treated with a Nutrafol hair supplement? The ingredients are undoubtedly impressive, meaning Nutrafol may boost some users’ hair growth. However, more clinical studies are necessary before we confidently say that Nutrafol is an effective treatment for hair loss.

Are you interested in a more clinically tested, permanent solution? Get in touch with our expert hair restoration team today, or head to our patients gallery to view our outstanding results.

Sources:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29742189/
2. https://milberg.com/news/nutrafol-class-action-lawsuit-alleges-deceptive-marketing-scheme/
3. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-953/ashwagandha