Prenatal Vitamins for Hair Growth: Benefits and Side Effects
I bet you know at least one woman who became a real-life Rapunzel when she was pregnant. Long hair, stunning lashes, and strong nails…
You probably were keen to know her secret. Was she eating ten avocados a day? Was she drinking water like crazy? Or maybe it was prenatal vitamins?
Well, the truth is that this was possibly just a pleasant side-effect of being pregnant. During pregnancy, the woman’s body increases in estrogen, which causes quicker hair and nail growth.
However, some women say that they found a hack on how to get long, shiny hair, and that secret is prenatal vitamins. Even some celebrities said that these vitamins helped them grow longer hair!
I asked our hairstylist Trisha Champan if it is true that prenatal vitamins might help to improve the condition of our hair. What are the possible benefits and side effects of using these vitamins if you are not pregnant?
What do prenatal vitamins do?
These supplements are needed for a healthy pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins contain a wide variety of the recommended vitamins and minerals for pregnant women. Some of them can even lessen the chance of possible congenital disabilities.
Some women trying to get pregnant are taking them as these vitamins can help reduce morning sickness.
You can find a recommended daily value of folic acid, iron, calcium, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin D, fatty acids, and lots of other vitamins and minerals in one tablet.
What are prenatal vitamins used for?
Prenatal vitamins are made for pregnant women and those trying to get pregnant. Doctors can even suggest taking them if a woman is breastfeeding, as this supplement ensures a proper daily dosage of nutrients to make breast milk.
However, these vitamins don’t increase fertility, so you should talk with your doctor if you are having trouble conceiving.
Can you take prenatal vitamins for hair growth without being pregnant?
If you are not pregnant or lactating, it’s best to get all nutrients through a healthy diet instead of taking a supplement. High amounts of iron found in prenatal vitamins may cause constipation, diarrhea, and stomach cramps, while high amounts of calcium found in these vitamins might harm your kidneys, cause vomiting, and irregular heartbeat.
A high dosage of various vitamins and minerals is more harmful than helpful in the long term.
The claims that prenatal vitamins promote thicker hair, better skin, and stronger nails are unproven.
Side effects of prenatal vitamins when not pregnant
If you are not pregnant, excess intake of various vitamins and minerals may lead to serious health problems, such as constipation, diarrhea, liver toxicity, and others. You can feel nauseous all the time as the concentration of iron is very high in prenatal vitamins.
It’s best to look for alternatives if you don’t want to do long-term damage to your health.
If you want to take vitamins for hair growth, look for vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin C, zinc, selenium, and biotin. They are proven to help with hair growth.
Biotin vs prenatal vitamins for hair growth
If you choose between biotin vs prenatal vitamins and are not expecting or lactating, go with biotin as it is a safer choice.
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is proven to help prevent hair loss, but there is no scientific evidence that it increases the rate of hair growth. It also improves skin health as well.
The good news is that many foods contain biotin, so you probably are getting enough vitamin B7 with your food. However, if you are experiencing alopecia or sudden hair loss, it might be a sign of biotin deficiency.
“If you are not pregnant and choosing between biotin vs prenatal vitamins for hair growth, biotin is a clear winner”
Trisha Chapman
Biotin-rich foods are egg yolks, nuts, seeds, avocados, sweet potatoes, and legumes. You are probably getting enough biotin even if you are a vegan or vegetarian!
Vitamin B7 is very safe and rarely has any side effects.
Pregnant women take prenatal vitamins to ensure they supply their body and their baby with a proper dose of vitamins and minerals. There is no evidence that these vitamins might help you grow longer hair if you are not pregnant.
Folic acid is one of the main vitamins in prenatal supplements, and you can easily get enough folate with your food if you are not pregnant. Eat more leafy greens, beans, seeds, nuts, whole grains, and seafood!
While prenatal vitamins contain a high dosage of various vitamins that helps to grow your hair quicker, you shouldn’t use them if you are not trying to get pregnant, pregnant, or lactating as using these vitamins might have serious side effects.
Prenatal vitamins FAQs
Do prenatal vitamins make your breast grow?
Unfortunately, there are no supplements that can do that. Breast size is often heritable, therefore, there is nothing you can eat or drink to make your breasts grow.
Do prenatal vitamins make you gain weight?
There is no evidence that prenatal supplements can make you gain weight. These vitamins don’t contain any calories as well.
Do prenatal vitamins increase appetite?
No, prenatal vitamins don’t stimulate appetite.
Do prenatal vitamins make your hair grow?
Prenatal vitamins contain a high dosage of various vitamins and minerals, and some of them are beneficial for hair growth. Zinc, B vitamins, iron, vitamin D, and vitamin A are found in prenatal vitamins, and these nutrients are important for hair growth as well.
4 best vitamins for hair growth
If you are looking for a great vitamins to help you with the hair growth, our writer and hairstylist Trisha Chapman has a few recommendations.
- Everything you need for your perfect hair in one capsule: vitamin C, vitamin E, niacin, vitamin B6, zinc, silica, and biotin.
- Stronger, thicker hair in just three months.
- Beneficial for the skin as well.
- Works on all hair types - from straight to curly.
- More than 11 thousand reviews on Amazon!
- It is vegan, cruelty-free, sugar-free, soy-free, and non-GMO
- Saw palmetto, biotin, iron, zinc, and resveratrol ensure hair growth while nourishing your hair from inside and out.
- Supports healthy blood flow to the scalp.
- Thicker and shinier hair, longer lashes, and improved skin condition.
- For men & women. Suitable for all hair types.
- All claims are verified by 3rd party labs. This supplement is FDA-registered.
- Vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO.
- Great ingredients: vitamin D, vitamin E, biotin, selenium, and hyaluronic acid.
- Pumpkin seed oil nourishes hair and supports the normal hair growth process.
- Supports healthy skin.
- Easy-to-take liquid but the taste might not be for everyone. Take it directly or add as a topping to your food!
- Organic, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and non-GMO.
- Biotin is an essential micronutrient involved in keratin synthesis so if you want to have healthy and shiny hair you have to get enough biotin with your supplements or through your diet!
- For men and women.
- Vegan, soy-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO.
Conclusion
Do prenatal vitamins for hair growth really work? While it might be tempting to try, I don’t recommend spending money on it. It’s best to focus on a nutritious and healthy diet, scalp health, and hair conditioning if you want to have long-term results.
Try rosemary water for your scalp, hyaluronic acid for your dry hair ends, or glycolic acid treatments before washing your hair.
