Vitamin A and Hair Loss- What’s The Connection?

Vitamin A is essential for promoting sebum production by hair follicles, aiding in scalp and hair nourishment. It also enhances blood circulation to the scalp and acts as a protective barrier against environmental damage.

Both deficiency and excess of Vitamin A can lead to hair loss. Deficiency can result in dry, brittle hair prone to thinning, while excess intake can stimulate increased sebum production and disrupt the hair growth cycle, leading to thinning and inflammation. It’s important to maintain a balanced diet and consult healthcare professionals if symptoms of imbalance arise.

What is Vitamin A?

Vitamin A, also known as Retinol, is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps with maintaining healthy vision in dim light, regulating the immune system and keeping skin healthy.

Vitamin A Dietary Sources and Intake

Vitamin A can be found in animal products such as liver, cheese, butter and eggs, as well as vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, kale and spinach. Supplements are also available in various forms, including capsules, tablets, liquids, and gels. The recommended daily intake of Vitamin A for adults is 700 micrograms for men and 600 micrograms for women². Achieving a balanced intake from these sources is key to supporting optimal hair health.

When it comes to optimising your hair health it is important to have a balanced diet rich in the nutrients both macro and micronutrients as well as the calories required for normal hair growth.

You ought not to calorie restrict too much for too long as this can impact hair growth. Make sure you are having adequate intake of Vitamin E, D, B12, Iron, folate, biotin and Zinc to ensure normal hair health and immune function. These will be important in the overall maintenance of healthy hair. You can read more about this topic in our dedicated article: diet for healthy hair.

How Vitamin A is Processed in the Body

Normally Vitamin A is ingested through food or dietary supplements and absorbed into the bloodstream. From there, it is transported to the liver, where it is stored and converted into its active forms, retinol and retinoic acid. These active forms are then used by different body tissues, including the skin, hair follicles, and eyes to perform essential functions.

The role of Vitamin A in hair 

Vitamin A plays a crucial role in promoting the production of sebum by hair follicles, a natural oil that nourishes the scalp and hair. Additionally, it enhances blood circulation to the scalp, ensuring the delivery of oxygen and essential nutrients to the hair roots. Beyond these benefits, Vitamin A acts as a protective shield for the hair, guarding against damage caused by strong sun/UV rays, and environmental pollution¹.

Effects of Vitamin A Imbalance and Hair Loss

Vitamin A is essential for maintaining healthy hair, but the key lies in achieving the right balance. Both too much or too little Vitamin A can cause hair loss.

Vitamin A deficiency (often seen in restrictive diets and inflammatory bowel disorders) may result in dry, brittle hair prone to thinning. It impacts not just hair texture and growth but also vision, immune function, and skin health.

Conversely, an excess of vitamin A typically from overconsumption of supplements or fortified foods, can create its own set of problems in both body and hair. Hair can become thin due to overstimulation of sebum production by Vitamin A. Too much Vitamin A can also disrupt the hair growth cycle and create inflammation causing further hair loss.

Vitamin A imbalance causes hair loss in a different way to Iron and Vitamin D deficiency. You can read more about these deficiencies here:

• Iron deficiency and hair loss
• Vitamin D deficiency and hair loss

Symptoms of Vitamin A toxicity

If you have too much Vitamin A it can lead to acute toxicity, causing immediate symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and increased intracranial pressure. Common symptoms of Vitamin A toxicity include:

• Nausea, dizziness, headaches
• Irritability
• Blurred vision
• Muscular incoordination
• Liver damage
• Brittle bones
• Too much Vitamin A during pregnancy can also negatively affect a baby

Depending on how long patients have been taking too much Vitamin A, they can suffer from acute or chronic toxicity, with symptoms ranging from nausea and dizziness to more severe health issues. It’s important to maintain a balanced diet and consult healthcare professionals if symptoms of imbalance arise.

How Much Vitamin A Causes Hair Loss?

The recommended intake of Vitamin A in adults between the ages of 19 and 64 is:

• 700 µg a day for men
• 600 µg a day for women

Adults should be able to obtain their Vitamin A intake from a normal diet.

It is important not to overdose of Vitamin A. Some research suggests that having more than an average of 1,500 µg a day of vitamin A over many years may affect your bones, making them more likely to fracture when you’re older. This is particularly important in women who are at an increased risk of weaker bones as they get older.

Risks of Vitamin A Supplements

Eating liver pâté more than once a week risks too much vitamin A especially if you take multivitamins or fish liver oil capsules that contain Vitamin A too. Be careful not to over-supplement your diet with Vitamin A and if you are unsure- please contact a dietician.

Can Hair Loss from Vitamin A Toxicity Be Reversed?

Yes hair loss from Vitamin A toxicity can be reversed. Reduce the intake of Vitamin A and your hair should start to recover after a few months. It is worth understanding that hair growth takes a long time, so be patient with your hair’s recovery.

Treatment Options for Vitamin A-Related Hair Loss

If you would like to quicken your recovery time, you can look to take medications like Minoxidil which can help hasten your hair growth. Other treatments may include PRP injections and microneedling.

Patients with hair loss secondary to Vitamin A imbalance normally don’t require a hair transplant. A hair transplant can be carried out in those who have had hair loss that doesn’t recover after normalising the levels of Vitamin A.

Hair transplant surgery can be performed in areas of hair loss in the hairline, temples, crown, eyebrows or beard. The procedure is performed in men, women and transgender patients.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can taking too much vitamin A cause permanent hair loss?

Taking too much Vitamin A over a long time can cause permanent hair loss due to acute or chronic toxicity. Acute toxicity can manifest through immediate symptoms like headache and nausea, while chronic toxicity develops with long-term exposure, leading to severe effects such as dry skin, generalised weakness, and permanent hair loss.

Q: How long does it take to recover from vitamin A-related hair loss?

By correct the imbalance of Vitamin A, your hair loss should be able to recover within 6-12 months.

Q: Can I prevent vitamin A toxicity while still getting enough for healthy hair?

Yes, ensure you are not over-supplementing your Vitamin A if your diet is rich in liver pâté. If you are taking supplements make sure you are not taking too much Vitamin A especially if you take a multi-vitamin and fish liver oil. If you are worried please contact a dietician who can help guide you accurately.

Q: Is minoxidil effective for vitamin A-related hair loss?

Yes, Minoxidil can help patients recover hair loss from Vitamin A imbalance.

Q: What foods should I avoid to prevent vitamin A toxicity?

Avoid liver pâté and supplements containing fish liver oil.

Q: Should I consult a doctor if I suspect vitamin A toxicity?

Please contact a Doctor immediately if you suspect Vitamin A toxicity. You will want to take measures to reduce the amount you consume.

Conclusion

Proper Vitamin A intake is crucial for maintaining healthy hair, however it is important to note that excessive amounts may also be detrimental. Monitoring and adjusting your Vitamin A intake can help prevent hair loss and promote overall hair health.

For those considering supplements, it is advisable to seek advice from a healthcare professional to ensure correct dosages⁴. 

References

1.      VanBuren, C. A. and Everts, H. B. (2022) ‘Vitamin A in skin and hair: An update’, Nutrients, 14(14), pp. 2952. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9324272/

2.      Vitamins and minerals – Vitamin A – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

3.      Almohanna, H. M., Ahmed, A. A., Tsatalis, J. P. and Tosti, A. (2019) ‘The role of vitamins and minerals in hair loss: A review’, Dermatology and Therapy, 9(1), pp. 51-70. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6380979/

4.      Guo, E. L. and Katta, R. (2017) ‘Diet and hair loss: effects of nutrient deficiency and supplement use’, Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, 7(1), pp. 1-10. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5315033/

5. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-a/

6. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sacn-review-of-dietary-advice-on-vitamin-a