We’ve all heard the myth that standing in the sun can give us a magical, life-changing glow—but you may not have considered the role of Vitamin D in our overall health.
While Vitamin D is essential for a plethora of body functions, many people are suffering from Vitamin D deficiency—resulting in an array of health problems.
One lesser-known side effect of Vitamin D deficiency is hair loss, but can it be linked to this nutrient? In this blog, we’ll explore how vitamin d cause female hair loss and provide valuable tips to help those with a deficiency.
We’ll also look at other factors that could cause female hair loss and how to recognize and treat it.
So if you’re concerned about your hair and general health, read on and discover if improving the Vitamin D levels could benefit you.
Understanding Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D is a crucial nutrient that allows the body to absorb and process calcium, which is necessary for strong bones and teeth.
But did you know that it also plays a role in healthy hair growth? Now you may wonder how Vitamin D Cause Hair Loss. Well, vitamins don’t, but a deficiency can lead to hair fall.
Vitamin D deficiency is a common problem and can affect the calcium, phosphorus, and other vitamins necessary for maintaining healthy hair follicles.
Before finding a solution, it’s salient to find the exact reason for the problem.
Causes of Hair Loss in Women
Hair loss can be a tricky subject, especially for women. But understanding the causes behind it is the first step toward finding treatments.
One possible cause is vitamin D deficiency, so let’s examine why that might be the case.
#1. Lack of Sun Exposure
First things first—this vitamin comes from the sun, so if we don’t get enough sun exposure, we simply won’t have enough of it in our bodies. And without enough vitamin D, adverse side effects can occur, including hair loss.
#2. Poor Absorption
Our body needs to absorb vitamin D from food sources or supplements; if the body cannot do this properly, our vitamin D levels will be low. This could cause an inability to retain hair follicles effectively, leading to hair loss.
#3. Vitamin Deficiency
Finally, as we all know by now, our bodies need vitamins and minerals to stay healthy and functioning correctly—and not just vitamin D. If we are deficient in more than one nutrient (like iron), this could cause hair shedding well as other health issues over time.
#4. Hormone Changes
There is a massive risk of hair loss female vitamin deficiency because changes in their hormones can lead to depletion. This can cause their hair to become thin or brittle, leading to possible hair loss.
Here are the connections between hair loss and vitamin D.
The Connection between Hair Loss and Vitamin D
Though vitamin D deficiencies may not be the primary cause of hair loss in all women, some experts have found a possible link between the two.
#1. Strengthen Immune System
Specifically, vitamin D is believed to strengthen the immune system and keep it from attacking the follicles. This can lead to healthy hair growth and prevent inflammation and other issues that can lead to shedding.
#2. Cellular Regeneration
This vitamin helps with cellular regeneration, which means new cells are being created faster and replacing dead ones more quickly.
It keeps hair follicles strong and active, encouraging healthy hair growth and preventing new strands of hair from falling out or thinning due to nutritional deficiencies.
#3. Hormone Regulation
Based on studies, this vitamin can regulate hormone levels in the body, which often play an essential role in preventing hair loss.
Hair loss can be caused by hormonal imbalances such as low estrogen levels or an increase in testosterone, both of which can be regulated by vitamin D supplementation when taken in the correct dosage and form.
#4. Improved Scalp Health
Using a topical form of vitamin D, such as a cream or oil applied directly to the scalp, can stimulate blood circulation, improve hydration levels and encourage stronger roots resulting in less breaking of hairs due to dryness or weak strands.
In addition, they are known to boost collagen production, which enhances scalp health and strengthens follicles resulting in thicker-looking hair over time.
Though research on this subject is still ongoing, there are several ways you can address potential vitamin D deficiencies contributing to your hair damage issues.
Taking an oral supplement or using a topical vitamin d for hair loss are two of the most common ways to increase your levels of this critical nutrient and potentially reduce shedding or breakage.
How to Take Vitamin D for Hair Loss?
Here are a few ways how to use vitamin d capsules for hair.
- It’s best to take vitamin D as a pill or capsule, as the body absorbs this form better than anything else.
- You should also make sure you’re taking the proper dosage—according to Harvard Medical School‘s website, adults over 70 should take 800 IU (International Units) daily, while those between 51-70 should take 600 IU.
- Alternatively, we can use topical vitamin D creams available in drug stores. These creams are applied directly on the scalp and usually contain Vitamin D2 or D3, which gets absorbed by the skin and stimulates the growth of healthy hair follicles.
It’s important to note that these creams are not a substitute for oral supplementation—they should be used as an extra boost for your Vitamin D intake.
We know that vitamin D is essential, but what if we’re not deficient? Then how to know if I have low vitamin D levels?
How to Know I’m Vitamin D Deficient?
It’s pretty simple to check—a blood test to measure the amount of vitamin D in our body.
Some signs that you may be deficient include:
- Tiredness
- Joint pain
- muscle pain
- Additionally, you may notice that your hair is becoming thinner or falling out more than usual.
We can also test our vitamin D levels at home. For that, we will need a testing kit.
You can purchase online or in pharmacies, with the cost depending on the brand and type of testing kit used. These kits come with instructions on how to complete the test and how best to interpret the results.
It turns out that Vitamin D deficiency may not be the only contributor to female hair loss.
Conclusion
The best course of action for women experiencing hair loss is to consult a healthcare provider, who can provide a detailed assessment of the causes of hair loss and recommend Hair Growth Tips that are tailored to the individual’s needs.
With a combination of medical help, lifestyle changes, and a balanced diet, women experiencing hair loss can hope to mitigate the effects of their condition and reduce the risk of further hair loss.