Nutrafol for Hair Health: Science, Ingredients, and What to Know Before You Start

Quick Takeaways

🧬 Science-backed formula
🌿 Natural ingredients like ashwagandha, saw palmetto, and biotin
👩‍⚕️ Clinically recommended for hormonal/stress-related hair loss
📅 Results typically appear within 3–6 months
💊 4 capsules daily with food

About 50 million American men and 30 million women have male- or female-pattern baldness. While hair loss is most commonly seen in men, anyone can experience it. In fact, about half of all women will experience some amount of hair thinning eventually. However, there are natural, non-invasive ways to address hair loss.

What causes hair loss?

For most people, their hair grows about six inches per year, and most hair is in this growth phase at any given time. Then, a two- to four-week transition period occurs when hair separates from its blood supply and stops growing. The final phase of the hair growth cycle lasts between two to four months. This phase, called the telogen phase, is when your hair sheds. It can be gradual or sudden, depending on the underlying reason.

If you notice more hair than usual on your brush, pillow, or drain, think your hair seems thinner, or you start seeing patches of your scalp through your hair, there may be a few reasons it’s happening. Here are the most common causes of hair loss:

Hormonal changes. Fluctuations in testosterone and estrogen, menopause, pregnancy, childbirth, and thyroid issues are some hormonal causes of hair loss. Simple aging can also naturally slow hair growth.

Medical issues. Some medical causes of hair loss include the autoimmune disease alopecia areata, trichotillomania (a hair-pulling disorder), anemia, diabetes, PCOS, and scalp infections like ringworm.

Skin conditions. Psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis are two skin conditions which can lead to hair loss. There can also be scarring processes that can cause permanent hair loss.

Nutritional issues. People can lose hair due to nutritional issues like a shortage of Vitamin D, iron, and protein among others, an excess of Vitamin A, eating disorders, and rapid weight loss.

Stress. Both physical and emotional stress can lead to hair loss, within a few days to about six months.

Genetics. Male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness are caused by a combination of genetic factors.

Hairstyling. Traction alopecia caused by overly-tight hairstyles, high heat styling, and harsh haircare chemicals and techniques can lead to hair breakage and loss.

Many people experiencing hair loss feel self-conscious and concerned. They want a non-invasive and safe solution to encourage hair growth. One popular option is Nutrafol, a science-backed supplement with a formula to improve hair growth.

Nutrafol offers many products to encourage hair growth, including:

Nutrafol Women, designed for women 18-44 experiencing hair thinning. Its clinically-proven formula targets key root causes of thinning, such as stress, lifestyle, and nutrition. Nutrafol Women also comes in a vegan formulation suitable for those following plant-based lifestyles.
Nutrafol Women’s Balance, designed for women 45 years and over experiencing hair thinning. Its clinically-proven formula targets key root causes of thinning, such as hormones, metabolism, and aging.
Nutrafol Postpartum, designed for those in the first year after giving birth or breastfeeding. Its clinically-proven formula targets key root causes of postpartum thinning like stress, hormonal changes, and nutrient depletion.
Nutrafol Men, designed for men of all ages who want to take a proactive approach to hair thinning. Its clinically-proven formula visibly improves hair growth and thickness by targeting key root causes like hormone imbalances, stress, and poor nutrition.

How is Nutrafol different from traditional hair supplements?

Nutrafol is a nutraceutical – a word combining “nutrient” and bioactive “pharmaceutical.” Nutraceuticals like Nutrafol use natural, bio-optimized ingredients. According to Nutrafol’s website, nutraceuticals are “standardized to contain guaranteed amounts of bioactive phytonutrients, and tested for efficacy and healthy use in clinical studies showing specific bioactivities, health benefits, and growth improvements.”

Nutrafol supplements differ from traditional hair supplements in a few ways. They’re backed by public research and clinical studies, including randomized, placebo-controlled trials. They’re also physician-formulated with 100% drug-free ingredients. Many hair supplements aren’t clinically tested and don’t address the root cause of hair loss. Nutrafol is dermatologist-recommended and has proven results when it comes to hair growth, strength, and thickness.

Images courtesy of nutrafol.com

The 100% drug-free and natural ingredients used in Nutrafol’s patented formulation are backed by research to be effective. These ingredients include:

Saw palmetto

DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is an androgen hormone that shrinks hair follicles. Saw palmetto is an extract of the Serenoa repens fruit and blocks the conversion of testosterone into DHT. This helps to maintain healthier hair follicles. (Please note: If you have a medical condition or are taking prescription medications or blood thinners, it is always advisable to consult your doctor prior to using DHT inhibitors and any new dietary supplement.)

Sensoril® ashwagandha

Stress can play a significant role in hair loss, and the ashwagandha herb can help. It’s a natural adaptogen that helps to regulate cortisol levels. This means reduced stress as well as reduced hair shedding.

Marine collagen

You may be aware of collagen’s beneficial effects for skin, but it can help improve hair strength and elasticity too. Nutrafol’s marine collagen peptides are sourced from the skin and scales of low-toxin fish from the cleanest waters. Its marine collagen is specially hydrolyzed to make it easier to migrate through the skin of the scalp and reduce breakage and hair shedding.

Nutrafol Women’s Vegan does not contain this ingredient.

Biotin

Also known as Vitamin H, biotin works on a cellular level to enhance the structure of keratinocytes, the cells producing keratin. Keratin helps to form hair, nails, and the epidermis. It’s the primary component in hair.

Tocotrienol complex

Tocotrienol complex is a concentrated form of vitamin E, an antioxidant that fights environmental stress to improve hair density.

Curcumin

Curcumin is the active compound in turmeric, an antioxidant that has been shown to reduce inflammation. It fights free radicals to support cellular health.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol is found in the skins of grapes. Its antioxidant activity promotes hair density by protecting the scalp from environmental damage.

Kelp minerals

A naturally-derived, rich source of iodine. These minerals support hormones that manage hair growth rate.

Horsetail

Despite the name, horsetail is a perennial plant. It’s an organic source of silica, an essential mineral that’s linked with hair growth.

Scientific evidence of Nutrafol

Nutrafol has conducted 20 clinical studies at the time of writing, and undertakes continual research to refine their products based on the latest studies. This is a key difference between Nutrafol and other hair growth supplements, which aren’t clinically tested.

Nutrafol’s research has been featured over 25 scientific outlets overall, 14 of which were medical journal publications. Peer-reviewed publications like these are considered credible and reputable, because scientific experts evaluate the research.

According to their website, “Nutrafol’s rigorous clinical testing includes various types of clinical studies, each of which is utilized for a specific scientific purpose. Our studies are designed with clinical and scientific experts, according to accepted research standards and the most up-to-date techniques available.”

In 6-month clinical studies, people taking Nutrafol Women, Nutrafol Women’s Balance, Nutrafol Women’s Vegan, and Nutrafol Men experienced significant hair growth.

In a year-long clinical trial, people taking Nutrafol Postpartum saw a notable improvement in hair growth, hair quality, and reduced shedding.

Other before-and-after results of Nutrafol include visibly thicker hair volume, visibly fuller hair, and noticeably reduced hair shedding.

Images courtesy of nutrafol.com

Potential side effects and interactions of Nutrafol

Nutrafol’s hair growth supplements are assessed by expert toxicologists. However, always consult your doctor before using Nutrafol, especially if you have a medical condition or are taking medications like blood thinners or other supplements.

Nutrafol Women’s, Women’s Vegan, Women’s Balance, and Men’s products are not recommended for those who are breastfeeding; and none of their formulas are recommended for those who are pregnant or may become pregnant.

Some Nutrafol users report mild stomach upset, and Nutrafol advises taking the supplement with a meal to minimize this issue.

People with seafood allergies or sensitivities should be aware that some Nutrafol supplements contain fish-derived collagen. Please review Nutrafol ingredients carefully for other potential allergens.

If you have an adverse reaction to Nutrafol, the company advises you to “discontinue use, contact your doctor as appropriate, and contact us to tell us about your experience at support@nutrafol.com.”

Always be sure to purchase Nutrafol products from a reputable source, such as Pennoyer MD. As a general rule, if the product isn’t in a glass jar then it is not Nutrafol but a knockoff.

Who is (and isn’t) a good candidate for Nutrafol?

Because stress, hormones, and metabolism fluctuate with age and life stages, there are with specific Nutrafol formulations for different needs, including Postpartum for the first year after childbirth or while breastfeeding, and Women’s Balance for perimenopause and menopause.

Consulting your doctor before starting Nutrafol is advised, especially if you’re taking blood thinners, using other supplements, have chronic health conditions, have or have had a hormone-responsive cancer, or have an allergy to fish or the herbs used in Nutrafol formulations. If you’re pregnant or may become pregnant, do not take Nutrafol. Nutrafol Women’s, Women’s Vegan, Women’s Balance, and Men’s products are not recommended for people who are breastfeeding, though Postpartum is safe to use while breastfeeding. Nutrafol isn’t recommended for people under 18 years of age.

Nutrafol’s formulas are compatible with most prenatal and postnatal vitamins you may be taking.

What to Expect When Taking Nutrafol

Nutrafol is designed to support hair growth from within, but results are not immediate. Because it works by addressing underlying imbalances—such as stress, inflammation, hormone shifts, and nutrient deficiencies—users should approach Nutrafol as a long-term, cumulative solution rather than a quick fix.

Timeline of Effects

While individual results may vary based on age, health, and the root causes of hair thinning, Nutrafol users often experience changes along this general timeline:

First 1–3 Months
Many users report reduced hair shedding, stronger hair strands, and improved hair texture. Some also notice healthier skin and nails as a result of the vitamins and antioxidants in the formula.
3–6 Months
As new growth begins to emerge, hair may feel fuller, denser, and more resilient. Bald or thinning patches may appear less noticeable, and the hairline may start to appear healthier.
6+ Months
Continued use supports ongoing improvements in hair volume, thickness, scalp coverage, and scalp health. For many, this is when the most dramatic results are seen.

Important Considerations

Consistency is key: Nutrafol should be taken daily and consistently to see results. Skipping doses occasionally won’t derail progress, but regular use leads to more significant improvements over time.
With food: To reduce the risk of mild stomach upset (a commonly reported side effect), it’s recommended to take Nutrafol with a meal.
Hair growth cycle matters: Because hair growth occurs in cycles, it can take several months to notice visible changes. Some people may experience temporary increased shedding around month 2–3—this is often a sign of the follicles shifting into a new growth phase.

Follow-up and re-evaluation: For best results, regular follow-ups with your provider can help assess progress and determine if additional hormone, thyroid, or nutritional testing may be beneficial.

How Nutrafol fits into your holistic hair loss treatment plan

Hair loss can have negative effects on self-image and confidence, and can be a sign of other health concerns. Whatever the specific cause of your hair loss, Nutrafol can fit into your holistic hair loss treatment plan.

With new procedures, you can reverse hair loss with no downtime or side effects. Nutrafol is the #1 dermatologist-recommended hair growth supplement brand, and Dr Pennoyer is proud to offer it to patients in Hartford county. Message us via Klara at (860) 787-8396 to book a hair loss evaluation at the practice where we can advise on the best Nutrafol product for you. Our providers can also make recommendations on the need for potential hormone testing or thyroid panels to help uncover the cause of your hair loss.

As part of a holistic hair loss treatment program, we can also combine your Nutrafol regime with other hair loss solutions like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to stimulate natural hair growth, Hydrafacial Keravive treatments for scalp health, or (plated) Skin Science Hair Serum which harnesses the power of platelet-derived Renewosome™ technology to make hair look fuller, stronger, and thicker.

Frequently-asked questions about Nutrafol

“How long does it take to see results?”

In clinical studies, women showed results using Nutrafol in 3-6 months. Consistent use of Nutrafol is key to its success. Here’s an example of the results you may see with regular Nutrafol use:

1-3 months: Stronger, shinier hair with less shedding and breakage.
3-6 months: Fuller and thicker hair.
6+ months: Visibly thicker and stronger hair with more scalp coverage.

“Can I take Nutrafol while pregnant or nursing?”

There haven’t been enough studies to determine if Nutrafol is suitable to use during pregnancy. People who are pregnant or trying to conceive should not take Nutrafol.

Nutrafol Postpartum is safe to use while nursing.

“Do I need to take Nutrafol forever?”

Many of Nutrafol’s ingredients are successful with consistency, so they must be taken regularly to keep giving you hair growth benefits. However, since Nutrafol builds up in your system over time, missing a few days won’t hinder your progress.

To learn more about Nutrafol and hair loss solutions available at Pennoyer MD, message us via Klara at (860) 787-8396.

Sources

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20372926
https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/women-hair-loss-causes
https://www.healthline.com/health/baldness-gene#genetics-of-balding
https://nutrafol.com/story
https://wellwisp.com/what-are-nutrafol-ingredients/
https://cityhealth.com/nutrafol-key-ingredients/
https://nutrafol.com/results/
https://www.clinicadvisor.com/hair-loss-and-baldness/nutrafol-reviews