Brittle, dry, and dull hair: which supplements should you use?
Hair that breaks at the slightest brush stroke, split ends, dull lengths... You are not alone. The good news is that, most of the time, simple habits and a proper diet really do make a difference.
At Pure Lab Nutrition, we approach hair beauty from both the outside and the inside. Here is how to understand what weakens your hair, and which nutrients can help.
📑 Summary
- Hair breakage or hair loss?
- The most common causes
- Good daily habits
- Nutrients to look at closely
- In summary
Hair breakage or hair loss?
They are not the same thing, and the distinction is important.
- Brittle hair breaks along the shaft or at the ends: it has lost its strength and elasticity. The pieces found are short, without a bulb.
- Hair loss involves the entire hair, which falls out with its root (the small white bulb).
Losing a few dozen hairs a day is normal. However, significant, sudden, or patchy hair loss requires medical advice.
The most common causes
🔥 Mechanical and thermal damage
Very hot hairdryers, straighteners, curling irons, energetic brushing, tight hairstyles: these are the primary causes of breakage. Keratin, the protein that makes up hair, is damaged with every stressor.
🧪 Chemical treatments
Coloring, bleaching, straightening, and perms weaken the fiber deeply, especially when repeated.
☀️ The environment
Sun, chlorine, sea salt, hard water, and dry air dry out the lengths.
🍽️ Diet
Hair is built from what we eat. An insufficient intake of proteins or certain micronutrients can eventually reflect on its quality.
Good daily habits
- Lower the temperature of heating tools and use a thermal protectant
- Dry gently: pat with a towel instead of rubbing
- Detangle from ends to roots, using a wide-tooth comb
- Space out colorings and prioritize nourishing treatments (conditioner, mask)
- Trim ends regularly: a split end cannot be repaired, it travels up the hair shaft
- Protect your hair from the sun and chlorine
Nutrients to look at closely
Several nutrients have an officially authorized health claim for hair.
💅 Biotin (Vitamin B8)
Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair. A review published in 2017 in Skin Appendage Disorders (Patel et al.) showed improvements in people with an underlying cause (biotin deficiency, abnormally brittle nails or hair). However, the authors note that evidence is lacking in healthy people. We detail this point in our article on biotin.
🛡️ Zinc and selenium
Zinc and selenium contribute to the maintenance of normal hair. Zinc plays a role in the metabolism of proteins, including keratin. Find out more in our article on the benefits of zinc for skin and hair.
🐟 Proteins and collagen
Hair is mainly composed of proteins: sufficient daily intake is essential. Marine collagen is often integrated into beauty routines; read our article on marine collagen and hair health.
💡 Our dedicated formula
✅ Biotin Instant+: biotin + zinc bisglycinate + selenium
✅ 1 capsule per day, 30-day course in a pocket-sized format
✅ 100% plant-based, made in France
👉 Discover our Biotin Instant+ here.
Patience: hair grows about one centimeter per month. New hair therefore takes several months to replace damaged lengths. Count on at least 3 months of consistency before judging.
In summary
1️⃣ Breakage and hair loss are different: significant hair loss warrants medical advice
2️⃣ External damage is the primary cause of breakage
3️⃣ Biotin, zinc, and selenium contribute to the maintenance of normal hair
4️⃣ Patience: at least 3 months to see a difference
Pure Lab Nutrition ... The art of nourishing your well-being.
Sources:
- Patel D.P., Swink S.M., Castelo-Soccio L. (2017). A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss. Skin Appendage Disorders, 3(3), 166-169. PMC
- Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 establishing a list of authorized health claims. EUR-Lex
- Kil M.S., Kim C.W., Kim S.S. (2013). Analysis of Serum Zinc and Copper Concentrations in Hair Loss. Annals of Dermatology, 25(4), 405-409. PMC
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