Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin A (retinol acetate)
For the health condition: Hair (loss or thinning)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin A (as retinol acetate) has a long-standing reputation in traditional and popular health circles for supporting hair health and growth. This association is largely rooted in the general understanding that vitamin A is essential for cell growth and differentiation, including cells in hair follicles. Historically, vitamin A deficiency has been linked with dry, brittle hair and in severe cases, hair loss (alopecia). As such, vitamin A supplementation or topical application has been promoted in traditional remedies to address thinning or loss of hair, especially in contexts where deficiency is suspected.

However, scientific validation specifically linking vitamin A supplementation to improved hair growth or prevention of hair loss in individuals with adequate vitamin A status is limited. Excessive intake of vitamin A is actually associated with hair loss and other toxicity symptoms. Some laboratory and animal studies suggest vitamin A plays a role in the hair cycle, particularly in regulating the growth (anagen) and regression (catagen) phases of hair follicles. Still, clinical trials in humans are lacking. The evidence supports using vitamin A to correct hair loss only in cases of deficiency. Overall, the use of vitamin A for hair loss or thinning in the absence of deficiency is based more on tradition and general biological plausibility than on strong scientific evidence.

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