Is Vitamin C Good For Hair? A Detailed Guide

Are you tired of dealing with weak, lifeless hair and excessive hair fallout? Do you wish for a simple solution to revitalize your hair and restore its natural strength and shine? Living in a fast-paced world, we often neglect our health needs due to our busy schedules and demanding lifestyles. With the constant pressure to achieve our goals and meet deadlines, taking the time to prioritize our health can become an afterthought. Among other things, this may lead to neglect of hair care, causing its damage and breakage. Exposure to pollution and harsh chemicals can also weaken the hair, leading to hair fall and other hair problems. You may be looking for a simple solution to end all your hair care problems instantly, and here’s some good news, you don’t have to look any further –  Vitamin C could be just the solution you’ve been looking for. Research suggests that a vitamin deficiency may cause a lack of collagen, weakening, and hair damage (1).Vitamin C may be taken in oils and food to prevent hair loss. In this article we have rounded up a list of reasons to add Vitamin C to your hair care while exploring answers to the most asked question – Is Vitamin C good for hair? Have a look!

Why Is Vitamin C Good For Hair?

Vitamin C is one of the essential nutrients needed in the human body for growth and maintenance of healthy hair. How exactly does Vitamin C work in our body to support hair growth? 

As this nutrient enters the bloodstream in our system, it works its way up to our hair along with several other parts of our body. It helps boost the growth of collagen, a protein naturally produced by our body to strengthen the hair follicle and prevent breakage.

Here are some ways that Vitamin C can help your hair:

Fight Dandruff

When our scalp becomes flaky and dry, it can clog and damage our hair follicles. It can stop our hair from growing properly if we don’t treat it. Vitamin C can help fight the bacteria on our scalp that causes dandruff. It can also clear up debris in our hair follicles, encouraging new hair growth. Plus, it can help with dry and itchy scalps because it has antiviral properties.

Reduces Hair Disorders

Vitamin C is important for keeping hair healthy and preventing various hair problems. These problems can damage hair follicles and affect hair growth. Eating foods with enough Vitamin C can help fight hair loss in men, including alopecia and baldness.

Stops Hair Loss

Using it can help treat adrenal gland fatigue, which is important for preventing hair loss and promoting hair growth. This is because the adrenal glands are key in maintaining hormonal balance.

Thickens Hair

It also improves blood circulation and strengthens and repairs capillaries. This is especially important for achieving stronger and thicker hair.

Neutralizes Radical Hair Damage

Experts say that Vitamin C works as an antioxidant to prevent damage caused by free radicals, which can help keep the scalp healthy. Vitamin C’s antioxidant properties are beneficial when applied topically and consumed orally.

Vitamin C may work wonders for stronger hair only if combined with several other nutrients such as biotin, iron, zinc, and Vitamin D. Studies have shown that Vitamin C significantly prevents hair thinning and breakage if used in a healthy manner (2).

Read More: Unlocking The Potential Of Vitamins For Anxiety Relief

Is Vitamin C Good For Hair Growth?

We may have heard about how this antioxidant plays an important role in stronger and improved hair, but what scientific reasons may motivate us to look into Vitamin C as a solution to dry, brittle hair? Vitamin C plays two major roles in hair growth – promoting collagen growth and protecting hair cells from free radicals. Our bodies naturally produce unstable molecules that can cause damage to our cells and tissues, known as free radicals. Vitamin C can be a strong antioxidant that prevents this damage, boosting hair growth and restricting genetic damage and inflammation (3).

Additionally, Vitamin C plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy hair by supporting keratin production and enhancing iron absorption. Keratin is a fibrous protein that makes up the structure of hair, while iron is an essential mineral for healthy hair growth. Vitamin C assists in the production of Keratin and improves the absorption of iron from the diet, which helps to maintain strong, healthy hair.  Research also suggests that Vitamin C supplements are known to increase iron absorption in your body (4).

Therefore, ensuring an adequate vitamin C intake through diet or supplementation can benefit individuals looking to improve their hair health.

Is Vitamin C Good For Hair Loss?

Vitamin C is widely known only to promote hair health and prevent hair thinning. However, excess of anything is not beneficial, and large amounts of Vitamin C intake may lead to gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea. The recommended daily intake by adults for this antioxidant is 75-90 mg (1).

It is important to note that hair loss may not be solved solely with higher consumption of Vitamin C. Several other nutrients and habits must be added to improve overall hair health and structure. 

How To Use Vitamin C For Hair Growth?

Sometimes, figuring out the perfect way to infuse certain vitamins into your diet and general lifestyle can be hard. However, it may be essential due to medical deficiencies such as scurvy, known to be a Vitamin C dietary deficiency where the human body is unable to produce an optimal amount of Vitamin C, which then leads to the body being dependent on external sources and other dietary ways to meet the needs (7).

Hence, we have stated some ways to add Vitamin C through daily habits and minor changes.

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Vitamin Rich Foods

One of the easiest and natural ways to increase the intake of this antioxidant can be to consume foods rich in vitamins and minerals that are proven to be the best for natural hair growth, such as berries, nuts, fatty fish, and eggs.

Research shows that your body does not retain Vitamin C as it is a water-soluble vitamin; that means we must keep them in our diet regularly (5). As per studies, consuming five servings of fruits and vegetables daily can provide approximately 200 milligrams of vitamin C per day (6).

Vitamin Supplements

Another fairly simple method is to infuse vitamin supplements with the recommended daily dosage. Vitamin C supplements such as tablets, capsules, powders, and gummies may be consumed in multiple ways. Adults should aim to consume 75-90 milligrams of vitamin C daily, but higher doses may be required for certain individuals, such as smokers or those who have had a history of vitamin C deficiency (1).

Some forms of vitamin C, such as ascorbic acid, can be acidic and cause digestive issues. In contrast, other forms like calcium ascorbate or magnesium ascorbate are gentler on the stomach. Therefore, it is highly advised to consult with a licensed specialist before starting any new supplement regime.

•  Use Vitamin-rich Oils: You may incorporate vitamin-enriched oils in your daily hair and scalp routine to increase hair growth. For instance, using a hair oil that contains vitamin C-enriched ingredients such as rosehip or argan oil can help to nourish the hair and improve its overall health. Another way to increase vitamin C intake through oils could be by adding a few drops of vitamin C-rich oil, such as lemon or orange oil, to a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba oil and using it as a hair mask or leave-in treatment. This can help to provide a direct source of vitamin C to the hair and scalp, which is likely to promote hair growth and improve the health and appearance of the hair.
  
• Nutrient-dense Hair Masks:  You may also use vitamin-infused hair masks with naturally derived ingredients as a pre-shower treatment. For example, mix avocado, banana, and honey to create a mask high in vitamins A, C, and E. These masks can be applied regularly to nourish the scalp and improve the hair structure.

What Does Vitamin C Do For Hair?

Vitamin C significantly alleviates hair health and is an essential antioxidant to fight multiple problems. Iron deficiency may lead to weakness and hair thinning; this antioxidant ultimately helps with iron absorption (4).

It also enhances and supports keratin growth, a protein known to make up the structure of the hair, skin, and nails. If not present, Keratin helps maintain the strength and integrity of these tissues, which may lead to weakened hair and dull skin. 

Furthermore, collagen synthesis and antioxidant activity additionally create a strong barrier from hair damage. Increasing the intake may also help with various other health aspects, such as maintaining healthy skin and nails. It is also known to support cardiovascular health, reduce the risk of heart failure, and enhance the blood vessel’s ability to function accurately (8).

It may also improve eye health and boost overall health through regular consumption. Additionally, Vitamin C is associated with improving patients’ anxiety and fatigue problems.

Read More: The Benefits Of Vitamin B3 For Skin: Everything You Need To Know

How To Take Vitamin C?

There are multiple ways to use Vitamin C for its benefits, such as using it through food, serums, facemasks, shampoos, and vitamin supplements. If you decide to increase your Vitamin C  through food, include chili peppers, broccoli, kale, papaya, strawberries, mango, pineapple, bell peppers, oranges, lemon, kiwi, and rosehips in your diet. Additionally, you can take Vitamin C supplements orally, add Vitamin C serums to your skincare routine, or try liquid IV Vitamin C.

According to experts, Vitamin C is generally safe for all hair types, but some may benefit more than others. It is suitable for all hair types, especially for people with dull or brittle hair. However, those with dry hair should be careful; some hair products can remove more oils and cause dryness.

While it can be used on all hair types, it is recommended to consult a medical professional to determine the underlying cause of your hair issues. Even though someone may not be allergic to Vitamin C, they may experience discomfort from other ingredients in the product. Individuals allergic to an ingredient in a hair product should avoid it, and those with sensitive skin should test it on their elbow for a few days before using it on their scalp.

The Bottom Line

To summarize, consuming vitamin C is crucial in maintaining optimal hair health. Its important functions include aiding in collagen synthesis, acting as an antioxidant, promoting iron absorption, and stimulating keratin production, all of which contribute to stronger and healthier hair (5).

Including vitamin C-rich foods in one’s diet or taking vitamin C supplements to improve hair health is recommended. Still, it should be noted that vitamin C is just one of many essential nutrients needed for healthy hair, and a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of vitamins and minerals is necessary for optimal hair health. It is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.