Vitamins For Dry Scalp
A list of all the essential supplements you need to keep handy for maintaining a healthy scalp.
Dry hair may result from a poor hair care regimen, harsh hair care products, and sudden seasonal changes. But do you know vitamins for the dry scalp can help improve your hair health? It is because vitamin deficiencies may also cause dry hair. A dry scalp feels irritated and may lead to itching, flaking, and redness. If you are not getting the essential vitamins from your diet, you may go for supplements and topical products.
Read on to understand the role of vitamins in maintaining a dry scalp and which vitamins best suit the purpose.
Does Vitamin E Improve Dry Scalp?
We often first reach out for vitamin E supplements whenever our scalp feels dry. But do they help?
Topical vitamin E was found to improve skin hydration by enhancing the water-binding ability (1). Another study shows that vitamin E used in nano-emulsions can improve skin properties and hydration levels (2).
Oxidative stress is one of the primary reasons for unhealthy scalp and may cause dandruff (3). Vitamin E supplement is an antioxidant and helps reduce oxidative stress, minimize flaking and dandruff, and improve scalp health (4).
If you have a dry scalp, you may use topical vitamin E to minimize it. You may also consume vitamin E-rich foods like seeds and nuts, avocados, and spinach. However, if you have vitamin E deficiency, you may have to take supplements after consulting your doctor.
Other than vitamin E, the lack of other essential vitamins may cause a dry scalp. Scroll down to know more.
Other Best Vitamins For Improving Dry Scalp Conditions
1. Vitamin D
Topical and oral vitamin D is an effective way to manage psoriasis, an auto-immune condition that causes red patches and dandruff-like flakes (5), (6). Vitamin D helps minimize the redness, flaking, and discomfort associated with psoriasis. You may consume vitamin D-rich foods like salmon, eggs, and fortified foods, use topical solutions, or take supplements after consulting a doctor.
2. Vitamin B
Topical vitamin B12 was found to manage and minimize the symptoms of psoriasis, including flaking and dryness. Vitamin B12 has emollient properties and may also help manage dry scalp issues. Systemic administration (oral) of vitamin B12 was shown to minimize cell proliferation and inflammation associated with psoriasis (7). Biotin or vitamin B7 is also said to improve scalp dryness. However, there is no scientific proof to back this claim.
3. Vitamins A And C
Topical vitamin A or retinoids are widely used in skin care formulations. Retinoids help minimize acne and dryness and manage psoriasis and other hair and nail disorders (8).
Vitamin C (oral and topical) supports your skin health and enhances the production of barrier lipids and natural moisturizing factors to prevent dryness (9). Foods like guava, broccoli, oranges, papaya, kiwi, sweet potato, strawberries, and blackberries are rich in vitamin C.
A dry scalp is uncomfortable and can be caused by a variety of factors. Low vitamin levels are one of these factors. Therefore, you can take vitamins for dry scalp to improve its condition. You can deal with the problem by taking nutritional supplements, eating vitamin-rich meals, and applying topical vitamin remedies. Consult your healthcare provider for proper dosage recommendations if you take oral nutritional supplements since overdosing on vitamins can have adverse effects. If you experience any side effects, stop consuming them immediately and seek medical advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does zinc help dry scalp?
Yes. Zinc pyrithione has antibacterial and antifungal properties that can help in treating dry scalp issues like dandruff, psoriasis, acne, and yeast infections.
Is dandruff a vitamin deficiency?
Yes. Vitamin deficiency is one of the major causes of dandruff. Besides vitamin deficiency, dry skin, exposure to irritants, and yeast growth may cause dandruff.
Does omega-3 help with dry scalp?
Yes. Omega-3 fatty acids help nourish your dry, itchy scalp by regulating oil production, thus reducing inflammation and irritation on the scalp.
Does zinc dry out your hair?
Yes. Excess use of zinc can dry out your hair. To ensure good hair health, maintaining a balance in the amount of zinc you use is important.
Key Takeaways
- You can treat a dry scalp using topical and oral vitamin E, which also helps prevent oxidative stress, flaking, and dandruff.
- Vitamin D, both topical and oral, is an excellent way to manage psoriasis and reduce the scalp redness, flaking, and discomfort associated with it.
- Topical vitamin B12 has emollient properties that may aid in the treatment of dry scalp and the symptoms of psoriasis.
- Consult your doctor for a correct diagnosis and dosage prescription before you take oral supplements.
Sources:
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- Influence of vitamin E acetate on stratum corneum hydration.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9706379/ - Evaluation of the biocompatibility and skin hydration potential of vitamin E-loaded lipid nanosystems formulations: In vitro and human in vivo studies.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0927776519301857
- The role of oxidative damage in poor scalp health: ramifications to causality and associated hair growth.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26574300/ - Effects of Tocotrienol Supplementation on Hair Growth in Human Volunteers.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3819075/ - Systemic Role for Vitamin D in the Treatment of Psoriasis and Metabolic Syndrome.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3130965/ - Oral vitamin D, still a viable treatment option for psoriasis.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22103655/ - Superiority of a vitamin B12-containing emollient compared to a standard emollient in the maintenance treatment of mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5806803/
- Retinoids: active molecules influencing skin structure formation in cosmetic and dermatological treatments. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6791161/
- The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579659/
