Steven Gabel, MD, FACS – Gabel Hair Restoration Center, Portland, Oregon
Patients frequently ask whether nutraceuticals can genuinely improve hair thinning or whether they are simply expensive supplements supported by good marketing. Until recently, most evidence for oral hair supplements focused on subjective improvement or general hair growth. A newly published six-month clinical study by Zoe Draelos and colleagues, A 6-Month, Prospective, Multi-arm Study for the Efficacy of Standardized Nutraceuticals to Improve Hair Fiber Thickness and Strength, adds an important and more objective dimension to the discussion by examining hair fiber thickness and strength.
What Is a Nutraceutical?
Nutraceuticals are oral supplements—typically pills or liquids—made from food-derived ingredients that are designed to support specific health functions, such as hair, skin, or metabolic health, beyond basic nutrition. The nutraceuticals discussed in this article are specifically formulated to address hair thinning and hair quality.
Hair thinning is not just about how many hairs are present on the scalp. In many patients, the more significant issue is that individual hairs become progressively thinner and weaker over time. As hair fibers narrow, they are more prone to breakage, grow more slowly, and provide less overall scalp coverage. This study focused on whether standardized nutraceutical formulations could improve these physical properties of hair fibers in adults experiencing hair thinning.
The study followed more than 240 men and women over a six-month period. Participants represented a broad range of real-world populations, including younger women, women following plant-based diets, peri- and post-menopausal women, postpartum women, and men with thinning hair. All participants had visible hair thinning confirmed by a dermatologist. Importantly, they were not using prescription hair-loss medications or hair-growth devices during the study, allowing the effects of the nutraceuticals to be evaluated independently.
Rather than relying solely on photographs or patient impressions, investigators directly measured hair shaft diameter using light microscopy. This is clinically meaningful because thicker hair fibers are mechanically stronger, less prone to breakage, and visually create greater hair volume.
The Results
Over six months, all study groups demonstrated a statistically significant increase in hair fiber diameter, averaging approximately 6–9% thickening depending on the population studied. These improvements were progressive, continuing from the three-month evaluation through the six-month mark.
Hair strength was also assessed using standardized hair pull tests. Across the study population, there was a significant reduction in both broken hairs and total hairs shed during these assessments. In practical terms, increased fiber thickness translated into hair that was less fragile and more resistant to everyday stress such as washing, brushing, and styling. Investigator assessments aligned with these findings, showing consistent improvements in perceived hair strength, thickness, length, and overall hair quality.
Patient-reported outcomes were similarly consistent. By six months, most participants reported that their hair felt stronger, looked healthier, shed less, and appeared fuller. While patient perception alone is never sufficient to establish efficacy, the alignment between objective measurements, physician evaluation, and patient experience strengthens the clinical relevance of these results.
One of the notable strengths of this study is that the nutraceutical formulations were tailored to specific life stages and physiologic needs. Men and menopausal women received formulations designed to address androgen-related hair thinning. Participants following plant-based diets used formulations accounting for common nutrient gaps seen in vegan populations. Postpartum formulations excluded certain ingredients while emphasizing others to address the unique hormonal and nutritional demands of that period. Despite these differences, all groups experienced improvements in hair fiber thickness and strength, suggesting that a targeted, multi-pathway approach may be more effective than a one-size-fits-all supplement.
It is also important to clarify what this study does and does not show. The study was open-label and did not include a placebo group, meaning placebo effects cannot be entirely excluded. However, many of the nutraceutical formulations evaluated here have previously been studied in randomized, placebo-controlled trials demonstrating improvements in hair growth and hair quality. This study adds further value by demonstrating measurable changes in hair fiber structure, not just cosmetic appearance.
What Does This All Mean?
Nutraceuticals are not a replacement for proven medical therapies such as minoxidil, finasteride, or hair restoration surgery when those treatments are appropriate. That said, this study supports their role as a legitimate adjunct—or, in some cases, an alternative—for patients who cannot tolerate medications, are early in the thinning process, or wish to address contributing factors such as nutrition, stress, and hormonal balance.
The key takeaway is a realistic one. Hair supplements are not magic pills. However, when they are properly formulated, standardized, and taken consistently, they can improve the quality and strength of existing hair fibers. For many patients, that improvement alone can make hair appear fuller, grow longer, and shed less—even without dramatic changes in hair counts.
As with all hair-loss treatments, nutraceuticals are most effective when used as part of an individualized, evidence-based plan. At the Gabel Hair Restoration Center in Portland, Oregon, a comprehensive evaluation allows treatment recommendations to be tailored to each patient’s specific pattern of hair loss and contributing factors.
Ready to Strengthen Your Hair?
If you’re noticing thinning or fragile hair, a personalized approach can make all the difference. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Gabel at the Gabel Hair Restoration Center in Portland, Oregon, to explore nutraceutical options and other treatments tailored to your hair’s unique needs. Start improving your hair’s strength, thickness, and overall health today!
Reference
Draelos Z, Farris PK, Hazan A, Raymond I. A 6-Month, Prospective, Multi-arm Study for the Efficacy of Standardized Nutraceuticals to Improve Hair Fiber Thickness and Strength. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2025 Oct 31. doi:10.1007/s13555-025-01582-0. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41171588.
