Online, videos abound of people saying the supplements make hair thicker, healthier and shinier. Do they really?
The Bottom Line
Nutrafol, Viviscal and other hair growth supplements are not tightly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Tawfik said. They have not received F.D.A. approval for treating any medical conditions and have not undergone the same safety and efficacy testing as drugs, she said.
But that doesn’t mean you need to avoid them outright. While expensive hair loss supplements are not Dr. Tawfik’s “go-to” treatment option, she said, she often does mention them to patients as an alternative to prescription drugs. They haven’t been found to be dangerous, and there is at least “some evidence that they can work,” she said.
So for some people, they can be worth a shot.
Full story: Do Hair Growth Supplements Work? (NYT)