Vitamin C is an important part of keeping the skin healthy and is a great immunity-boosting compound but the beauty of vitamin C also makes a difference in hair care too!
Vitamin C, aka ascorbic acid, can be found in pretty much everything from food to beauty products to hair products.
So how can this powerful antioxidant factor into your hair care regimen and help facilitate healthier hair growth?
I answer this question and more in this in-depth article on vitamin C for hair.
What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin i.e. it dissolves in water. However, the human body doesn’t store vitamin C well hence why we need it via supplements and food.
Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits like oranges and guava as well as vegetables like broccoli and bell pepper.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent free radical damage in the skin and bolster radiance and glow in dull skin.
It is also an essential vitamin required in tissue repair and the formation of collagen in the skin!
Is Vitamin C Good for Your Hair?
Vitamin C is essential for healthy hair growth. It is one of the essential vitamins for hair growth covered in What Are the Best Hair Growth Supplements for Natural Hair?
Without adequate vitamin C in your diet, your hair can become dry and dull over time and lack all luster.
Additionally, vitamin C helps the body absorb iron. Remember, iron deficiency can lead to bald spots.
Vitamin C Benefits for Hair
1. Promotes Healthy Hair
The most obvious benefit of vitamin C for hair is that it promotes healthy hair and improves hair growth.
Vitamin C is required for the body to create collagen and collagen production is an important part of stronger and healthy hair and a healthier scalp.
2. Reduces Hair Loss
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that fortifies hair strands and helps prevent excessive hair shedding.
One of the recommendations for eliminating shedding in The Ultimate Hair Growth Guide is the vitamin C rich Indian gooseberry.
There’s an entire chapter in the book dedicated to this potent vitamin.
3. Prevents Premature Greying
Due to the antioxidant content in vitamin C, premature greying can be prevented and the hair’s natural color is enhanced.
4. Prevents Dry Hair & Split Ends
Vitamin C deficiency leads to dry and dull hair followed by split ends. Adding vitamin C to your hair care regimen helps keep this issue at bay.
The good news though is that vitamin C deficiency is fairly rare. Most of us get enough of it via our diets in one way or another.
5. Regulates Scalp pH
Vitamin C is acidic with a low pH. Low pH products help smoothen hair strands, regulate the scalp’s pH and improve scalp health.
If you remember, vitamin C is used to regulate the pH of DIY products in the Max Hydration Method.
How To Use Vitamin C for Hair
The best way to use vitamin C for hair is through your diet and supplements.
Diet
Food is the best source of vitamin C and the following foods contain high amounts of vitamin C:-
- Citrus fruits – oranges, lemons, grapefruits, clementine, pomelo, lime, and/or the juice of these fruits.
- Tomatoes – I love tomato soup and this is the way I get most of my vitamin C.
- Bell peppers – red, green, yellow, etc.
- Blackcurrants
- Cabbage
- Guava
- Potatoes
- Strawberries
- Sweet potatoes
- Watermelon
Supplementation
Any number of hair growth vitamins or daily multivitamins should contain vitamin C. You can find best hair growth supplement recommendations here.
Before you start taking any sort of supplements, it’s important to consult with your primary care physician.
FAQs About Vitamin C for Hair
Does Vitamin C Make Your Hair Thicker?
Vitamin C is part of growing healthy, lush hair. However, there’s no indication that it can make hair thicker.
Can I Apply Vitamin C Capsule Directly on Hair?
Yes, you can apply vitamin C capsules directly to hair but there’s no point doing this unless it’s a serum created specifically for hair.
Vitamin C is delivered more efficiently when taken in through your diet or ingesting supplements.
You can also use hair products with vitamin C or natural ingredients like amla powder.
Does Vitamin C Damage Hair?
Vitamin C doesn’t damage hair when ingested via food or through proper supplementation.
However, do not overdo it with the supplements. Follow the manufacturer’s directions on all supplements.
Does Vitamin C Remove Hair Dye?
Vitamin C cannot remove hair dye. Hair dye raises the cuticles and deposits color pigments deep in your hair strands.
The only thing that can remove hair dye is cutting your hair or letting the color fade over time.
Does Vitamin C Bleach Hair?
Vitamin C doesn’t exactly bleach hair. However, because it has anti-pigmentary properties, vitamin C can lighten hair a little bit.
Final Word on Vitamin C for Hair
While vitamin C is important for healthy hair, keep in mind it’s not a magical hair growth formula.
It promotes healthy hair and stronger follicles which translates to better retention.
Vitamin C is one of those vitamins you want to make sure you have enough of in your diet.
All vitamins need to be part of your diet for overall healthy hair growth and not just vitamin C.
References
- Vitamin C
- Topical Vitamin C and the Skin: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications
- Interaction of Vitamin C and Iron
Abi is a curly hair expert, researcher, product tester, and author of the highly-rated Healthy Hair Care Series. She is also the founder of Ade Ori Hair Care, Healthy Natural Hair Products, and Natural Oils for Hair & Beauty. HNHP has strict editorial standards and ensures all the information on Healthy Natural Hair Products is the best for natural hair care. Learn more about our Editorial Policies
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