Hair, skin, and nail supplements are marketed to support the health of hair, skin, and nails, and they are growing in popularity. However, there is limited evidence to show that they offer any benefits, and they can come with significant risks. Here are some key points from the search results:
Ingredients or materials:
- Most hair, skin, and nail vitamins contain biotin (a B vitamin) as their primary ingredient, but many also include Vitamins A, C, D, and collagen.
- Fat-soluble vitamins, such as Vitamins A, D, and E, are linked with benefits to healthy hair, skin, and nails.
- Antioxidants, such as Vitamins C and E, are two major sources of antioxidants that keep your cells healthy and producing healthier hair, skin, and nail cells.
- Collagen is also a popular ingredient in hair, skin, and nail supplements, but there is no optimal dose for collagen supplementation, and there is concern that the gut can break down any collagen a person takes in the form of foods and supplements.
Positive:
- Hair, skin, and nail vitamins work by providing the key nutrients to support healthy cell and tissue growth, structure, and longevity.
Negative:
- Hair, skin, and nail supplements can come with significant risks, and there is limited evidence to show they offer any benefits.
- Biotin in high doses can interfere with tests that measure thyroid and heart function, and it can give a false appearance of hyperthyroidism by making it look like your thyroid is overacting. It also can give up a falsely low level of troponin, which is a really important cardiac test that’s used to identify a heart attack in the hospital.
- Hair, skin, and nail vitamins may interact with certain medications or are contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation.
In conclusion, hair, skin, and nail supplements are not harmful, but there is limited evidence to show that they offer any benefits. While some ingredients commonly found in hair, skin, and nails vitamins, like collagen and hyaluronic acid, have more research to support their effectiveness than others, more robust studies are needed before we can confidently say whether hair, nails, and skin vitamins are effective. It is important to review any new supplement with a healthcare professional before taking it.
