Vitamin E for hair: benefits and how to use

The condition of the hair plays a key role in the quality of life of each person, as it is significantly related to their self-confidence and, consequently, to their psychology. The quantity and quality of hair, as well as personal styling, are a feature of every human being and are often determined by gender, age, health and social status [1].

Hair loss and/or poor hair quality can be caused by a variety of factors, such as lack of nutrients. In particular, a deficiency in certain vitamins & minerals can affect both hair structure and growth [5].

Regarding hair loss, it seems to be a very common phenomenon, as about 1 in 2 people will experience hair loss, from mild to severe, by the age of 50 [5].

There are many nutritional supplements available on the market, as well as dermocosmetics, which contain nutrients that have been positively associated with hair and scalp health [3] [4] [5] [8].

However, although the above products have compositions with a number of nutrients, there is insufficient scientific evidence to support their beneficial effect on hair health [3] [4] [5] [6].

Vitamin E and hair health

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin discovered in 1922. It is an essential nutrient for humans and appears to contribute, inter alia, to skin and hair health [2] [3] [6] [7].

Vitamin E deficiency is rare, but can occur in people with fat malabsorption syndromes. In addition, excessive intake of vitamin E through dietary supplements is particularly dangerous as it can increase the risk of bleeding and reduce the production of thyroid hormones [5].

Among the most important functions of vitamin E are its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory and neuroprotective abilities [2] [5] [8].

Protection from oxidative stress

Oxidative stress, which results from the body’s inability to adequately deal with sources of oxidation, has been associated with a wide range of pathological conditions as well as premature aging. In fact, it seems to negatively affect the health of the skin, hair and scalp [1] [9].

The antioxidant vitamin E has been repeatedly studied for its potentially beneficial effect in improving the condition of the skin and hair. Numerous studies have reported that it can prevent or slow down the development of skin diseases, as well as improve the quality & rate of hair growth [1] [9].

It is worth noting, however, that dietary antioxidants are beneficial when found in the body in the desired amounts, as very high doses of exogenous antioxidants are likely to upset the balance between oxidation and antioxidant activity [5].

Preventing & slowing down hair loss

Although there is not a sufficient number of clinical studies linking vitamin E to hair & scalp health, the available literature has identified a positive correlation between vitamin E adequacy and healthy hair structure and growth [4] [5] ] [6].

Most available studies have found a reduction in the rate of hair loss and faster hair growth in people who received vitamin E supplements [4] [5] [6] [7].

For example, in a study of 21 volunteers who took a tocotrienol supplement (a form of vitamin E), there was a significant increase in the number of hairs compared to the placebo group [5] [7].

Hair improvement & shine

Some studies have shown that taking vitamin E supplements improved the quality of hair, which had a shinier and healthier appearance compared to periods of low levels of vitamin E [4] [5] [6].

Although there is ample evidence for the effect of nutrients on hair loss and general hair health, in the case of people who have previously had a deficiency in them, there is a lack of literature on the effects of supplements in people with adequate levels of the corresponding nutrients [3 ] [5] [6].

Ways to take and apply vitamin E

Vitamin E is found in various foods, either naturally or after being added to them (eg fortified cereals). In addition, it can be obtained through dietary supplements, but also applied topically or added to the composition of various dermocosmetics.

In particular, people can use the following methods to increase their vitamin E intake or apply more of it to their hair and scalp:

1. Daily nutrition

Vitamin E is found in a variety of foods, which is why the recommended daily allowance (RDA) is usually covered by diet [2].

Rich sources of vitamin E are nuts and seeds, vegetable oils, various fruits & vegetables, as well as fortified breakfast cereals.

For those who want to increase their daily intake of vitamin E, it is recommended to consume sunflower seeds, almonds, peanut butter, wheat germ oil, salmon, spinach, broccoli, red pepper, mango, avocado and pumpkin.

2. Dietary supplements with vitamin E

In addition to meeting the daily needs for vitamin E through the diet, you can also take a dietary supplement with this vitamin. Many people take vitamin E supplements because of its antioxidant activity but also to support the health of their skin & hair [4] [5] [7].

However, most supplements available contain much more vitamin E than the recommended daily allowance (RDA). For this reason, the instructions for use should always be followed and the recommended daily dose should not be exceeded [7] [8].

In addition, it is recommended that the treating physician always be informed before taking a dietary supplement with vitamin E, as it is not indicated in all human cases and too much may be harmful [2] [8].

3. Oils with vitamin E

There are various oils available on the market that contain vitamin E infusions. These products either contain only vitamin E or, more commonly, are diluted in a carrier oil, such as coconut oil and olive oil.

The above dilution process is carried out mainly to avoid skin irritation, as well as to reduce the financial cost of the product.

Vitamin E oils are believed to enhance the health of the scalp, stimulate hair growth and restore their lost shine.

They can be used on people with dry and/or damaged hair or scalp. It is not recommended, however, for people with very sensitive skin, due to the increased chance of causing skin irritation.

Regarding the use, a few drops can be applied to the scalp / hair with a carrier oil (e.g. olive oil, coconut oil) after the shower, every other day.

4. Hair care products

There are many products available for the care of the scalp (shampoos, conditioners, etc.), which contain vitamin E in their composition in order to enhance the health of the hair.

So, one can have a more specialized hair care product, which will be used like the usual corresponding products, unless there are special instructions for use.

It is worth mentioning, however, that even in the case of dermocosmetics, the enhancement of the composition with vitamin E does not have any proven beneficial effect in terms of supporting hair health and / or preventing and slowing down hair loss [6].

At Vita4you.gr you will find a wide variety of vitamin E supplements!

References

1. Scalp Condition Impacts Hair Growth and Retention via Oxidative Stress
2. Vitamin E: nutritional aspects
3. The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review
4. Clinical efficacy of popular oral hair growth supplement ingredients
5. Diet and hair loss: effects of nutrient deficiency and supplement use
6. Clinical Role of Oral Vitamin C and E Therapy in Skin and Hair Disorders
7. Effects of Tocotrienol Supplementation on Hair Growth in Human Volunteers
8. The progress and application of vitamin E encapsulation – A review
9. Oxidative stress and its impact on skin, scalp and hair