Why You Shouldn't Use Prenatal Vitamins for Hair Growth If You're Not Pregnant

We've all noticed that glow that many expectant moms have: Their skin glows without any makeup, and overnight they seem to have grown that supermodel hair — thick, vigorous and gleaming with robust health.

And because prenatal vitamins are part of a pregnancy wellness routine, you may wonder if taking them is the secret to reaping beauty benefits like hair growth. So find out if prenatal vitamins are worth adding to your long hair routine. Plus, learn what products you really should be using to get thicker, fuller, longer-looking hair. 

Why Hair Looks Thicker During Pregnancy

During every normal pregnancy, greater blood volume floods the blood vessels, resulting in skin that looks flushed (if you have a publicist, this is reported as "radiant"). Spikes in hormone levels may cause the sebaceous glands to excrete more oil, giving the skin more sheen.

Pregnancy includes a huge, long surge of estrogen, which keeps hair in the anagen or growth stage. The hormonal message is so intense that some women experience changes in the texture (and even the color) of their hair during pregnancy, when curls may straighten, or new hair that grows in may be curlier than expected. The scalp and hair may also feel oiler than pre-baby since the sebaceous glands are in overdrive. These temporary changes are the result of the pumped-up metabolism that accompanies pregnancy when normal hair loss is actually suppressed.

However, after the baby's born, the rapid change in hormones sends a signal to hair, which would have normally been shed over the course of the last nine months, to shed more rapidly postpartum. Although this is normal, it is upsetting — and many new mothers seek out ways to boost hair health after they have given birth and have stopped breastfeeding.

Related: Postpartum Hair Loss Explained

Should You Use Prenatal Vitamins for Hair Growth?

Taking prenatal vitamins for hair growth is a common practice. We may reason that a pregnant woman takes these supplements while nurturing another life-in-progress in her body, so therefore the same array of nutrients, vitamins and minerals should be doubly effective on a woman who is not expecting or even trying to get pregnant.

Although the math seems reasonable — no baby in the works, more nourishment for mama — the conclusion is incorrect.

But here's something to think about: The Mayo Clinic says if you're not pregnant and planning to get pregnant, high levels of certain nutrients over a long period of time may actually be more harmful than helpful.

Read: How Much Hair Loss Is "Normal"?

What Nutrients Are in Prenatal Vitamins?

The vitamin aisle is brimming with different prenatal formulas. Most include the following:

• Folic acid
• Vitamin D
• Calcium
• Vitamin C
• Thiamin
• Riboflavin
• Niacin
• Vitamin B-12
• Iron

All are good things a woman needs, so they should be great for making healthy hair grow faster, right?

This is the common rationale for taking prenatals for hair health. But not so fast. While it's true that all women (and all humans) need these nutrients, the level of need is determined primarily by age, and most Americans who are not pregnant can meet these needs easily by eating a balanced diet with the possible enhancement of a daily multivitamin.

During pregnancy, perhaps the most talked-about ingredient is folic acid. Folic acid or folate is an essential B-9 vitamin that's required for new cell production. Folic acid generates new cells, including the keratinization of hair during the active growth phase. Some sources even report that high levels of this b vitamin in the blood help to prevent premature graying of the hair.

Pregnancy does often trigger folate deficiency, so taking a prenatal vitamin as a hair care strategy would seem to make sense for the benefits of folic acid.

Biotin is the other hot button. Biotin, also known as vitamin B-7, functions to support the metabolism of carbohydrates, protein and fat, which is why biotin is anecdotally referred to as "hair food." Biotin deficiency is rare unless you're vegan. In terms of the function of biotin, dermatologists and trichologists generally share the opinion that biotin deficiency causes hair breakage in the strand versus hair loss at the root or below the scalp surface.

Related: Is My IUD Causing Hair Loss? What to Do

What Doctors Say About Taking Prenatal Vitamins When You're Not Pregnant

Anna Chacon, M.D., F.A.A.D., says not so much: "It has long been believed that prenatal vitamins lead to longer, healthier and thicker hair in women, even if they are not pregnant. However, many also forget that during pregnancy, your hair grows faster and thicker as more of your follicles are in the anagen or growth phase. In general, prenatal vitamins won't help significantly unless you are deficient in those specific vitamins which provide nutrition to the hair follicle. This myth arises because pregnant women who take prenatal vitamins usually have thicker, longer and faster-growing hair due to the hormonal changes in pregnancy which cause an increased blood flow to the hair and nails."

While it's tempting to try to approximate the coveted baby-glow without taking the step of an actual pregnancy, it seems that the numbers just don't add up.

Sharleen St. Surin-Lord, M.D., F.A.A.D., said, "The purpose of prenatal vitamins is to ensure that a growing fetus has all the nutrients it needs to develop well. For example, folic acid is needed for neural tube development. I do not recommend buying prenatal vitamins just to grow hair and nails. Biotin at 5,000 micrograms or 5 milligrams daily is sufficient to strengthen (not grow) hair and nails and is some benefit. But leave the prenatals to expectant moms."

Taking Prenatal Vitamins When You're Not Pregnant Could Actually Cause Problems

Too much of anything can be a problem. In the case of prenatal vitamins, a supplement that provides a high volume of a given nutrient may simply need to be excreted once the body recognizes that there is no fetus present to receive that "extra" dosage, and this may result in nasty side effects. The excretion and elimination of these excesses may be uncomfortable and even dangerous to your health. Here are some examples:

• Taking too much folic acid in the form of a supplement may mask the symptoms of a B-12 deficiency, thus delaying needed diagnosis and treatment.
• Devika Icecreamwala M.D., F.A.A. reports concern that large amounts of folic acid over time can lead to cancer cell development.
• Too much biotin may lead to rashes and digestive issues, including constipation and diarrhea.
• Too much calcium may lead to kidney stones.
• Too much iron over long periods of time can cause damage to vital organs like the heart and liver and can even lead to arthritis if the iron deposits settle in your joints.

Of prenatal vitamins outside of pregnancy, Dr. St. Surin-Lord said, "Three months after having delivered a baby, many women will experience hair loss. Childbirth is perceived as a stress to the human body. This stress causes hairs to go into the telogen (resting) phase of the hair cycle. This causes marked shedding and hair loss. There is no prenatal vitamin that can prevent this or treat it alone. Prenatal vitamins are essential to fetal development, and the micronutrients they provide definitely help with hair and nail growth in an individual who is deficient. However, there is no proof that continuing to take them after pregnancy lengthens hair."

Taking a vitamin that's not meant for your specific goals could mean getting too much of a nutrient you really don't need and not enough of what you do need. Instead, opt for a daily hair vitamin that's designed to support healthy hair.

What to Do Instead of Taking Prenatal Vitamins When You're Not Pregnant

Assuming that you aren't in procreation mode, the best approach is to mirror the estrogen-rich state of a blissfully pregnant woman.

1. Choose a Supplement Designed With Your Hair in Mind

Many pregnant women do radiate a gorgeous glow, and provoke hair-envy in those of us who aren't in the mom zone. But realize that their rush of pinked cheeks and thicker, denser hair is probably the result of tsunamis of estrogen. And if she's a smart mother-to-be, she's eating and living with great intention.

Emulate this intention and dedication to whole-woman health, including hair wellness supplements like GRO Biotin Gummies for Hair or GRO+ Advanced Hair Care Gummies, both designed for your hair. 

2. Discuss Concerns with Your Doctor

If you are menopausal, you can consider hormone replacement therapy. A study conducted more than two decades ago, casting HRT in a dangerous light, has more recently been reevaluated, and the health risks identified in that study have now been largely refuted. Plus, bioreplacement substitutes for earlier hormone treatments are now available.

Related: What You Need to Know About Menopause and Hair Loss

3. Eat Well

This is key advice for a woman who is expecting and great advice for everyone who is not. To be sure you're getting enough folic acid in your diet, make sure these items are on your grocery list:

• Leafy greens
• Broccoli
• Asparagus
• Beets
• Avocados
• Beef
• Cauliflower
• Cucumber
• Yeast
• Sunflower Seeds
• Sweet potatoes

To be sure you're getting enough biotin, eat dark berries, goat's and cow's milk, almonds and halibut.

4. Treat Your Body Like the Temple it Is

While supplements may be helpful in cases of extreme nutritional deprivation (think: being stranded on a desert island) the best way to lay the foundation for healthy hair growth is to take the holistic approach and not take prenatals.

• Eat as though you were eating to nourish a precious life within your body, even if you aren't. If you eat a very restricted diet, including trendy fasting, know that it probably is affecting your hair.
• Take steps to reduce stress like spending time in nature.
• Quit smoking and reduce your alcohol consumption (booze reduces your body's capacity to absorb vital nutrients).
• Structure your day. Rise at the same time, eat meals at the same times, and go to bed at the same time each night, because the human body loves rhythm and repetition.
• Find hair wellness products that have the reviews and testimonials to back it up like GRO Hair Serum or GRO+ Advanced Hair Serum.
• Create calming, soothing rituals, like a midday stretch/swim/run/massage/nap, so your body knows what to expect.

Opt for a Hair Supplement Instead

Remember that it is possible to overdose on vitamins, especially high-powered prenatals. The side effects are rarely serious, but too much iron or other basically benign ingredients can definitely result in digestive distress short-term. And in the long term, binging on prenatals simply won't help your hair grow, so shop for hair supplements instead.

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