The 5 best vitamins for thicker, shinier and healthier hair, according to experts

SOME key vitamins and nutrients can make the difference between thin, brittle hair and thick, luscious locks.

A trichologist has revealed which vitamins are key to healthy hair and how to make sure you're getting them.

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Though taking vitamins and supplements can give some people's tresses a boost, it isn't a one-size-fits-all approach, according to Zoe Passam, senior consultant trichologist at .

"The vitamins and minerals an individual needs for healthy hair growth will vary from one person to another, influenced by factors such as age, sex, diet and exercise," she explained.

She pinpointed a handful that are known to be important for hair health:

1. Iron
2. Vitamin B12
3. Zinc
4. Vitamin D
5. Biotin

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But it isn't a question of taking a cocktail of supplements.

If you're not deficient in these vitamins and minerals, you probably won't see any difference to your locks from popping pills.

As Zoe explained, "once adequate levels are attained, taking more is unlikely to be beneficial".

"Once hair emerges from the scalp, it’s dead, so supplements cannot influence the condition of the hair lengths," Zoe went on.

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But making tweaks to your diet could make a difference to your tresses, the trichologist said.

"Consuming adequate protein can help the body to produce good quality hair as it emerges from the scalp," Zoe noted.  

Meat and fish tend to be good source of protein, though you can also get it from eggs and dairy products like yoghurt and cottage cheese.

That's not to say you can't get protein out of plant sources - nuts, oats, tofu and beans are good alternatives.

Can vitamin deficiencies make my hair thinner?

"Certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies can lead to increased hair shedding," Zoe said.

She referred to this as telogen effluvium, a condition that causes a disturbance to your normal hair growth cycle, making more follicles shift to the shedding or telogen phase.

According to the British Dermatologist Association: "Normally only 10 per cent of the scalp hair is in the telogen phase, but in telogen effluvium this increases to 30 per cent or more."

Zoe said low levels of iron are a common cause of increased hair shedding , specifically the iron storage protein ferritin.

"A blood test is the best way to ascertain whether a vitamin or mineral deficiency may be contributing to a person’s hair loss," she noted.

"It is also important to note that levels low within the normal lab reference range can contribute to hair loss," Zoe added.

This is because "hair is non-essential tissue, so when levels run low, the body prioritises vital body functions over hair growth".

"Deficiencies can also impact hair quality, so for example deficiency in zinc can lead to weaker, brittle hair more liable to break," the trichologist added.

Once you've had a blood test is to check whether your hair may benefit from supplement, a trichologist can advise you on how much to take for best hair growth results.

Which popular hair supplement could be unnecessary?

Biotin supplements have become very popular, Zoe noted.

But she said biotin deficiency is rare.

"For most people, biotin supplements are unnecessary,"; the trichologist said.

What supplements can I try?

Zoe recommended two supplements you could give a go.

One was the Philip Kingsley Healthy Hair Complex, which contains vitamins and minerals for healthy hair growth, such as vitamin D, vitamin B12 and iron.

Her second suggestion was the Philip Kingsley Amino Acid Protein Booster, which contains amino acids important for healthy hair growth.

"Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and hair is formed primarily of a type of protein called keratin," Zoe explained.

But ultimately, your diet is key to ensuring healthy, luscious locks.

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"Eating a varied diet, incorporating all food groups, is important, and for menstruating women, including iron-rich foods may help to avoid iron deficiency," the trichologist said.

"Vegetarians and vegans should also be mindful of consuming adequate B12, since this is primarily obtained from animal sources."