Before overhauling your entire hair care routine, it's worth knowing that a nutritional deficiency is one of the most common causes of diffuse hair loss in women — and one of the easiest to correct once identified.
Iron Tops the List
Iron helps carry oxygen to the hair follicles. Low ferritin (iron stores), even without diagnosed anaemia, is associated with an increased risk of diffuse hair loss in women, particularly after heavy periods or pregnancy. It's one of the first causes doctors look for when faced with unexplained hair loss.
Zinc
Zinc is involved in protein synthesis, including keratin, and in cell division within the follicle. A deficiency, rarer but possible with restrictive diets, can show up as diffuse hair loss and brittle nails.
B Vitamins
Biotin (B8), B6, and B12 are involved in the energy metabolism of follicle cells, one of the fastest-renewing tissues in the body. A genuine biotin deficiency remains rare in the general population, but can occur with a very unbalanced diet.
Vitamin D
Low vitamin D levels have been linked, in several studies, to certain forms of hair loss, particularly in people with little sun exposure.
How to Know If You're Affected
Only a blood test can confirm a deficiency with certainty. Supplementing at random, without knowing what's actually missing, risks creating the opposite imbalance (certain excesses, particularly of zinc or vitamin A, can themselves contribute to hair loss). A targeted blood panel, prescribed by a doctor, remains the best way to guide useful supplementation.
If a specific need is identified, Vibrant Hair Vitamins provide iron, zinc, and B vitamins in synergy. You can also take our hair diagnostic for an initial benchmark.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. If in doubt, consult a doctor, dermatologist, or pharmacist.