Nutrafol Review: Does It Really Work for Hair Loss?
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Nutrafol is a supplement designed to promote hair regrowth. We looked at 4 of their products to separate the hard science from the hype. Read on for the findings, and see how Nutrafol stacks up against top competitors.
A note on language
You’ll notice that the language used to share information about Nutrafol products is pretty binary, fluctuating between the use of “male” and “female” or “men” and “women.”
Although we typically avoid language like this, we wanted to use the language the company uses to describe their products, as specificity and accuracy are key when reporting on products.
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It’s typical to lose between 50 and 100 hairs every day. While new strands typically replace those lost hairs, this doesn’t always happen. Hair loss can be a gradual process that occurs over the years, or it can happen suddenly. It can be permanent or temporary, too.
It’s also extremely common. In fact, 80% of men experience male pattern baldness (MLB) by age 80 and over 50% of women experience female pattern hair loss by the time they’re 80.
Hair loss may affect people differently in their lives, and there are a few reasons why your hair may thin. Genes play a factor in pattern baldness for men and women. Other reasons include medical treatments, stress, age, over-styling, and certain health conditions. Some people may even experience temporary postpartum shedding.
But regrowing hair, or even slowing hair loss, is possible.
Nutrafol at a glance
Nutrafol is a brand that sells over-the-counter (OTC) supplements that are designed to relieve mild or moderate hair thinning due to age, stress, or genetics. They sell supplements and hair boosters but, unlike other hair loss platforms, don’t prescribe common meditations like finasteride or minoxidil.
Nutrafol is most likely a good option for people who would like to see if they can use more natural hair growth products or want to target the direct cause of their hair loss.
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Nutrafol is manufactured by Nutraceutical Wellness Inc., a company based in New York City that reports making 100% drug-free products.
The product was co-founded by Giorgos Tsetis, a former model and entrepreneur with an engineering background. Nutrafol is the fastest-growing supplement for healthy hair and hair growth.
There are many hair loss products on the market, but Nutrafol has been clinically studied and proven to improve hair regrowth by 80%.
Catherine Conelly ON POSTPARTUM HAIR LOSS
Feeling hopeful
Like clockwork at about 3 months postpartum, my hair started falling out mostly along the hairline at the front of my head. So, I started taking Nutrafol postpartum supplements. I’m in my second month of taking them and so far feel pretty confident. I’m waiting to judge the full results until I’ve been taking 4 to 6 months, but I have definitely started to notice less shedding and my hair feels a little thicker — a noticeable improvement from the flat, thinned, lackluster look it was starting to become. It is a bit of a commitment to take the four pills daily in addition to the separate prenatal and fish oil supplements I’m taking to support me while breastfeeding, but so far it has been worth the effort. I do always make a point to take them with food now. I made the mistake of taking them a little too long after a meal, and it definitely made gave me that unsettling just-took-a-vitamin feeling that can happen. The brand does recommend taking them with food, so now I’ve been sticking to that and it has not done me wrong yet.
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According to Nutrafol, the company uses 100% natural ingredients in their products.
Some of these include:
- curcumin
- Indian ginseng, or ashwagandha
- saw palmetto
- tocotrienol and tocopherol complexes
- piperine
- collagen
- resveratrol
- kelp
- horsetail
Pros
- All natural: Nutrafol contains 100% natural ingredients.
- Clinically studied: The supplements sold by Nutrafol have gone through clinical testing with mainly positive results.
- Recommended by holistic doctors: According to the website, some scientists and doctors personally recommend Nutrafol supplements.
- Different pricing systems: There are pricing plans available for users based on their hair goals and budget.
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Cons
- Not 100% effective: If you have advanced hair loss, Nutrafol supplements may not work for you.
- Mild side effects: Some users report side effects like skin rashes, nausea, and cramping.
- Pricey: Single bottles are priced at $88.
- Lack of data: Although there have been some positive clinical results and reviews, there’s not a ton of hard data and research suggesting it will increase hair growth.
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Research shows hair loss has multiple causes, ranging from your diet to hormones and stress. In order to find out what might be affecting your hair, it’s recommended to start out by taking Nutrafol’s Hair Wellness Quiz.
Nutrafol aims to restore hair growth by reducing stress and androgens in the body, a hormone that contributes to growth and reproduction in men and women.
Ingredients found in the supplements, like Sensoril ashwagandha, help build resistance to stress by balancing levels of cortisol, a hormone that plays a role in the body’s stress response. Cortisol can also signal hair follicles to prematurely shift from growth to rest, where the hair can no longer grow. This means that chronic stress may have a hand in disrupting hair growth.
Nutrafol’s supplements also work to neutralize free radicals and inflammatory molecules that affect hair growth.
For hormonal hair loss
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is an androgen hormone that is usually responsible for hormonal hair loss. DHT is more present in men, but women also make it. DHT causes the hair follicle to slowly shrink, a process called miniaturization. Eventually, DHT can make the follicles close so the hair can’t grow back.
Lifestyle factors like nutrition, metabolism, and stress levels may influence hair thinning, but hormonal changes from pregnancy, menopause, and stress are also significant contributors to a DHT imbalance in women.
Saw palmetto, an extract from the ripe berries of the American dwarf palm, is one ingredient in Nutrafol that may correct DHT sensitivity. In a 2009 study , researchers found that saw palmetto was shown to inhibit DHT receptors.
Meanwhile, maca, part of the mustard family, is included in the company’s Women’s Balance supplement, which is for people experiencing postpartum and peri- and postmenopause. Maca is highly nutritious — it contains a fair amount of fiber, vitamin C, and iron — and may help relieve symptoms of menopause.
Stress-related hair loss
Nutrafol includes Sensoril ashwagandha, a medicinal herb that may help build resistance to stress by balancing elevated cortisol levels. A 2012 study of 64 people showed that high levels of ashwagandha safely reduced their stress and anxiety levels.
Nutrafol also contains tocotrienol complex, chemicals in the vitamin E family, and astaxanthin, a keto-carotenoid that can be found in fish and may help reduce oxidative stress to promote scalp and hair health. Note that astaxanthin is only included in the Women’s Balance supplement.
Primary ingredients like vitamin E have shown improvements in correcting oxidative stress, or an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in your body that may contribute to health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
As a 2019 study points out, results are conflicting, but there is good reason to believe these vitamins can help with hair loss and damage caused by oxidative stress.
Metabolism-related hair loss
Your cellular metabolism provides energy for your hair follicles to grow. Inflammation, a high glycemic diet (foods that raise blood sugar quickly), a hormone imbalance, or a thyroid imbalance may all lead to poor metabolism, which can leave your body with less energy for healthy hair growth.
Nutrafol targets metabolism with curcumin, an anti-inflammatory compound found in turmeric. Curcumin has been used for thousands of years as a medicinal herb.
Curcumin is packed with vitamins and nutrients. Some studies show that curcumin may help alleviate metabolic syndrome and related disorders. Hair loss, like metabolic syndrome, can be exacerbated by chronic inflammation in the body, which curcumin may help reduce.
Personalized recommendations
With a subscription to Nutrafol, you’ll get access to the company’s naturopathic doctors. Based on the results of your quiz, the doctors can make personalized recommendations about products and lifestyle changes to help with your hair growth.
Nutrafol offers four supplements: Women, Men, Postpartum, and Women’s Balance, which are designed for peri- and postmenopausal women.
Nutrafol Women
Price: $88 per bottle
This Nutrafol supplement is designed to improve hair growth, thickness, and strength. The formula is recommended for women ages 18 to 44. It doesn’t contain all the ingredients in the Women’s Balance supplement, but it does contain collagen, a protein found in the body that provides structure to your skin, bones, and teeth.
Collagen may also boost hair strength, fight damage to hair follicles, and prevent hair thinning associated with aging. The Nutrafol Women supplement also includes ingredients such as maca, astaxanthin, and extra saw palmetto.
Key ingredients: Sensoril ashwagandha, tocotrienol complex, marine collagen
Nutrafol Men
Price: $88 per bottle
The men’s formula contains saw palmetto to restore hair thickness and scalp nutrition caused by stress, poor nutrition, and metabolic changes. When taken consistently, Nutrafol claims that men may begin to see results within 3 to 6 months, but results vary.
In clinical trials, 83 percent of users experienced improved hair quality, while 72 percent saw improvement in scalp coverage.
Key ingredients: saw palmetto, tocotrienol complex, Sensoril ashwagandha
Nutrafol Postpartum
Price: $88 per bottle
After giving birth, estrogen and progesterone decline abruptly. In some women, cortisol starts to increase, thus having an impact on hair. According to 2013 research , hair loss may occur about 2 to 4 months after giving birth. The research also noted that typical hair shedding is delayed during pregnancy, so the loss may appear more dramatic.
Nutrafol’s formula uses theanine, an amino acid that may help reduce anxiety and stress, and shatavari, an herb in the asparagus family that has been found to help the body cope with physical and emotional stress.
In the Nutrafol Postpartum supplement, these ingredients aim to manage stress hormones and promote relaxation to support a healthy growth cycle. This formula also includes collagen and other antioxidants.
The hair cycle generally resets 15 months after giving birth. Nutrafol says this supplement complements postnatal vitamins, but it’s not meant to be taken while pregnant. The website also claims the ingredients are breastfeeding-friendly, but you should always check with your doctor first.
Key ingredients: theanine, shatavari, DHA omega-3, marine collagen
Nutrafol Women’s Balance
Price: $88 per bottle
Women’s Balance aims to restore thickness due to hair loss caused by the loss or fluctuation of hormones during perimenopause or menopause.
There are 21 ingredients in the Women’s Balance supplement. It’s a blend — meaning it contains a large group of additives — and is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The full list of ingredients is on the website, but it does include vitamins A, C, and D, biotin, iodine, zinc, and more.
Per Nutrafol’s website, this formula can be used with hormone replacement therapy. Women’s Balance differs from Women’s Nutrafol because it has an emphasis on maca, astaxanthin, and extra saw palmetto to support waning estrogen and progesterone.
The formula is recommended for women who are 45 or older, but if you notice a widening part or hair thinning, you can take Women’s Balance.
Key ingredients: saw palmetto, maca, Sensoril ashwagandha
Quick comparison
| Key ingredients | Who it’s for | |
|---|---|---|
| Nutrafol Women | collagen, ashwagandha | women ages 18–44 looking to improve hair growth |
| Nutrafol Men | saw palmetto, ashwagandha | men who want to restore hair thickness and scalp health |
| Nutrafol Postpartum | collagen, DHA omega-3 | women who recently gave birth and have experienced an increase in stress |
| Nutrafol Women’s Balance | vitamins A, C, and D; biotin; iodine; zinc | women who have experienced hair loss as a result of peri- or postmenopausal symptoms |
After taking the Hair Wellness Quiz, Nutrafol may recommend one of their hair boosters as additional support. These boosters can only be purchased if they’re offered to you after taking the quiz.
| Vitamin-B Booster | DHT Inhibitor | Hairbiotic | Liver Support | Stress Adaptogen | Digestive Enzyme | Sugar Balance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | 1.7-fluid ounce tincture for hair loss caused by stress | supplement helps lower DHT production and has botanicals to support hair growth, hormone health | supplement supports a balanced microbiome, better digestion | supplement promotes liver health and reduces oxidative stress to promote hair growth | supplement uses potent botanical stress adaptogens, is geared toward those experiencing hair loss from stress | supplement contains 16 enzymes to help improve digestion, absorption of nutrients for healthy hair | supplement supports a healthy metabolism, helps break down carbs |
| Price | $30 per bottle | $30 for 60 capsules* | $30 per bottle | $30 for 60 capsules* | $30 per 60 capsules* | $30 per 60 capsules* | $30 per bottle |
*Nutrafol recommends that you take these capsules twice a day.
Nutrafol has three payment options:
- Per bottle: Each bottle costs $88.
- Monthly delivery: If you opt for monthly deliveries, it’ll come out to $79 a month. You’ll receive a 1-month supply and free doctor consultations. You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time.
- 3-month delivery: A 3-monthly supply of supplements is $225. You’ll receive 3 months’ worth of supplements on a trimonthly basis, along with free doctor consultations. With this subscription, you can also pause or cancel at any time.
While studies of Nutrafol have shown positive results, this supplement is best if your hair loss is minimal.
If you’re experiencing telogen effluvium (TE), a condition where your hair falls out after a stressful experience, Nutrafol could be a good option for you. This is because TE is temporary, and getting on track with your nutrition via supplements may be helpful.
Nutrafol’s website notes the supplement won’t change things overnight, but if you use the treatment regularly, you’ll likely begin to see some benefits.
It’s important to adjust your expectations, though. Nutrafol is not hair transplantation, a surgical technique that removes healthy follicles from one part of the body to another. However, some Nutrafol customers say they’ve experienced healthier, shinier hair after use.
As with any supplement, Nutrafol is not regulated by the FDA. Before starting a new supplement regimen, always talk with a doctor. Pregnant or breastfeeding or chestfeeding people should always speak with a healthcare professional before starting supplements.
You should also talk with a doctor if you have allergies to any of the ingredients in Nutrafol or have preexisting health conditions before trying the supplement.
Nutrafol has a wealth of competitors that offer other services and products beyond supplements.
| What you can buy | Prescription needed | Getting started | Best for | Highlights | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nutrafol | supplements, hair boosters | no | Take the Hair Wellness Quiz to figure out what product is best for you, or purchase the supplement you’d like to try. | • men wanting to try hair loss supplements • women experiencing pre- or perimenopause |
• different products available for different causes of hair thinning • products have been clinically tested |
| Keeps | medications (finasteride, minoxidil, and ketoconazole) shampoos, tinctures | yes, for finasteride | Take a quiz or fill out a questionnaire about your hair goals and concerns. A doctor will prescribe a plan based on your answers. | receiving a doctor-recommended treatment plan | • can attach photos of your hair and scalp for a doctor to review • it’s a subscription service, so you’ll automatically receive more product |
| Hims | shampoo, conditioner, supplements, topical solutions, medications | yes, for finasteride | Set up an account, fill out a questionnaire, and receive word from a doctor about treatment. | trying out different treatment options | • offers other treatments and telehealth appointments • when signing up, you’ll receive a response within 24 hours |
Nutrafol’s website has several before and after photos of customers who have had positive results with taking the supplement. Most have slight thickening at the crown of the head or at the part line.
On Amazon, Nutrafol has thousands of reviews for all formulas. More than half are 4- or 5-star ratings. But many reviews say the product didn’t regrow their hair.
Here are two reviews for comparison:
One 4-star review on Amazon says, “I think this works for people who have experienced a sudden hair loss and still retain the follicles necessary for regrowth.”
Meanwhile, a 1-star review mentions, “I have purchased four bottles of this and have taken them religiously. Absolutely no effect to their claims.”
Nutraceutical Wellness Inc. isn’t accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB asked Nutraceutical to provide evidence to substantiate the claim that 80% of people who used the product experienced increased hair thickness and regrowth.
Nutraceutical Wellness currently has a B grade on the BBB and a 1 out of 5 stars. They’ve received more than 120 complaints in the past 12 months.
Some customer complaints listed on the BBB’s website say shipments weren’t received. Other customers mentioned they were overcharged and that customer service was unhelpful with these issues.
Hair loss is fairly common for people. It could also stem from a variety of causes, ranging from menopause to more serious conditions like cancer or a thyroid issue. If you begin to experience hair loss, it’s best to consult a doctor to talk through your symptoms and medical history to ensure it’s not a symptom of a larger problem.
You should especially consider talking with a doctor if you notice:
- a rash or pain on your scalp
- large amounts of hair loss
- itching or redness
- hair loss with other symptoms, such as heavy menstrual bleeding, fatigue, or swollen lymph nodes
- sudden or unexpected hair loss
- hair loss that affects your ability to live your everyday life
Does Nutrafol work?
Reviews are largely mixed when it comes to the effectiveness of Nutrafol’s supplements. Although some clinical trials and reviews found the products to gradually work over time, other users were unhappy with the results.
Nutrafol would most likely work for people experiencing minimal hair loss, as the supplements promote healthy hair growth and thickening.
Is Nutrafol safe?
Nutrafol is made with clinically backed, medical-grade ingredients. The supplements are free of drugs, hormones, and artificial additives. The products are also third-party tested for heavy metals, pesticides, chemicals, and microbiological safety.
Since formulas, ingredients, and supplements are all reviewed by scientists, no data suggest that Nutrafol products are unsafe. However, talk with a doctor before deciding to introduce the supplements into your diet.
Does Nutrafol grow new hair?
The results are mixed. The manufacturer claims hair growth is bolstered by ingredients that work against factors that cause hair to fall out. Some studies show Nutrafol promotes hair regrowth.
Do I have to take Nutrafol forever?
The short answer: It’s unclear. Per Nutrafol’s website, you should take it regularly for 3 months, at which time you should start seeing results. If at this point you don’t see any results, connect with a naturopathic doctor before altering your regimen.
Can I take a multivitamin with Nutrafol?
Nutrafol recommends speaking with a healthcare professional before taking any multivitamins or prescription medications with Nutrafol supplements. This includes other hair loss treatments you’re currently using or considering, such as Rogaine.
How long does it take for Nutrafol to start working?
The company website says you should start to see results in 3 months, assuming you’ve been taking the supplements every day.
Has Nutrafol been approved by the FDA?
Because the FDA regulates prescription and OTC drugs, it doesn’t monitor Nutrafol, which are supplements. Nutrafol states on their FAQs page that they produce their supplements in an FDA-certified facility, though.
Is Nutrafol better than biotin?
Biotin (vitamin B7) can frequently be found in shampoos, conditioners, and supplements to support healthy hair growth and promote thicker, voluminous hair. However, there’s limited research to suggest that people who aren’t deficient in biotin can benefit from biotin-based products.
That being said, different solutions will work for people depending on several factors, such as the cause of hair loss, age, and the general state of the hair.
To choose the best hair loss treatment for you, you should talk to your doctor to determine the root cause and what’s most likely to help.
Hair loss is a common issue in men and women, and it can affect one’s self-confidence and mental health.
Nutrafol offers hair loss supplements to increase hair thickness and growth, and the company claims clinical studies have proven this. Some customers mention positive results with hair growth after using the product, while others say it didn’t really work for them.
If you’re experiencing hair loss or starting a new supplement to relieve it, talking with a dermatologist or another healthcare professional is a good first step.
Tracee Herbaugh is a writer and journalist who lives in the Boston area. She writes about culture, lifestyle, health, and family relationships. You can view her work online or find her on Twitter.
Last medically reviewed on April 12, 2023