Intervention: Nutrafol Women (n = 50), Nutrafol Women's Balance (n = 50), Nutrafol Women's Vegan (n = 50), Nutrafol Postpartum (n = 50) or Nutrafol Men (n = 50). Participants took 4 capsules daily for 180 days.
Methods: Subjects visited the clinic for evaluation at baseline, day 90 and day 180. Hair shaft diameter was assessed using light microscopy. Hair breakage/shedding was assessed via a four-region hair pull test. Hair qualities were assessed by dermatologist evaluation using a 5-point scale. Participants also completed a self-perception questionnaire and asked whether they agreed with statements such as 'My hair is less dry/brittle' and 'My hair quality improved'.
Study Duration: 180 days
Eligibility Criteria:
- Nutrafol Women: Healthy female subjects aged 18 - 44.
- Nutrafol Women's Balance: Healthy perimenopausal, menopausal and postmenopausal women aged 45 - 70.
- Nutrafol Women's Vegan: Healthy plant-based female subjects aged 18 - 44.
- Nutrafol Postpartum: Parous female subjects aged 18 - 44.
- Nutrafol Men: Healthy male subjects aged 25 - 50
All subjects had thinning hair, confirmed by the study dermatologist.
For more, plus the exclusion criteria, see:
Key Findings
1.
All Nutrafol formulas progressively and significantly increased hair fiber diameter (P<0.05 for all at day 180, relative to baseline). After 180 days of supplementation, the Nutrafol Women group increased by 8%, Nutrafol Women’s Vegan by 9%, Nutrafol Balance by 8%, Nutrafol Postpartum by 6% and Nutrafol Men by 7%. These outcomes suggest that the Nutrafol formulations enhanced thickness and strength.
Changes in hair fiber diameter following supplementation with Nutrafol formulations. *P<0.05 compared to baseline. Adapted from Draelos et al., A 6-Month, Prospective, Multi-arm Study for the Efficacy of Standardized Nutraceuticals to Improve Hair Fiber Thickness and Strength. Dermatology and Therapy (2026), 16(1): 353-363.
2.
When all groups were combined, the hair pull tests revealed significant reductions in total (-36%), intact (-35%) and broken (-37%) shed hairs (P<0.001 for all relative to baseline). When total shed hairs were examined for each individual group, all groups were lower at day 180 compared to baseline. Significance was seen in Nutrafol Women (-37%, P<0.005), Nutrafol Women’s Vegan (-40%, P<0.005) and Nutrafol Women’s Balance (-55%, P<0.001). When broken shed hairs were examined for each individual group, all groups were lower at Day 180 compared to baseline. Significance was seen in Nutrafol Women (-34%, P<0.038) and Nutrafol Women’s Balance (-65%, P<0.001).
3.
The Investigator Global Assessment of hair parameters revealed progressive improvements throughout the study. Average investigator ratings were significantly improved at day 180 in all groups for all evaluated parameters (P<0.01 relative to baseline).
Heat maps for Investigator Global Assessment outcomes. The heatmap shows average investigator ratings over the course of the study for each parameter. Adapted from Draelos et al., A 6-Month, Prospective, Multi-arm Study for the Efficacy of Standardized Nutraceuticals to Improve Hair Fiber Thickness and Strength. Dermatology and Therapy (2026), 16(1): 353-363.
The self-perception questionnaire revealed that a significant proportion of subjects in each group agreed with the question at day 180 (P<0.001 for all, relative to baseline).
Outcomes from the participant self-perception questionnaire. Adapted from Draelos et al., A 6-Month, Prospective, Multi-arm Study for the Efficacy of Standardized Nutraceuticals to Improve Hair Fiber Thickness and Strength. Dermatology and Therapy (2026), 16(1): 353-363.
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THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.
This information is provided as a medical and scientific educational resource for the use of dieticians and other licensed healthcare professionals. This information is intended for Practitioners to use as the basis for determining whether to recommend these products to their clients. All recommendations regarding protocols, dosing, prescribing and/or use instructions should be tailored to the individual needs of the client considering their medical history and concomitant therapies. This Information is not intended for use by consumers.
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