If you've been spotting bald patches on your hairline of late, chances are that you've been wondering if there's something you can do about it. Well, the good news is that you can completely stop and reverse hair thinning using dietary supplements.
That's precisely why we decided to conduct this Nutrafol Review - our objective being to determine whether this widely popular supplement is worth the hype.
In the next few paragraphs, we'll talk about its ingredients, how fast it works and also compare it to other popular supplements namely Viviscal and Folexin.
Product Name: Nutrafol Nutraceutical Supplement
Manufacturer: Nutraceutical Wellness Inc.
Country: Made in USA (New York)
Target: Men & Women
Website: www.nutrafol.com
Verdict: Great but not perfect; costs a pretty penny.
Nutrafol Review: What Is It?
Nutrafol is a product in the market that is commonly recommended as a way to deal with hair loss. Packed with a variety of ingredients scientifically tested and proven to actively solve hair thinning and hair loss, Nutrafol is definitely something worth investigating.
The product is available in three versions namely men, women, and women plus versions. The women plus version is meant for women at the menopausal or post-menopausal stages of life.
In our view, this is a highly successful hair regrowth formula. It goes for $80 per bottle. On the flip side, though, you can get pretty much same results and benefits from a $24.95 supplement.
Nutrafol Ingredients
In order to achieve what it's meant to do, Nutrafol comes with a blend of vitamins and minerals. The idea behind all these is to ensure that your hair follicles get all the nutrients they need to produce new strands of hair.
Nutrafol Blend (Proprietary Blend)
This is a 530mg blend of herbs and amino acids. We're talking about the like of Lysine - a nutrient that's important for hair growth. Then there's also methionine which is claimed to increase the health and integrity of your hair follicles.
Other ingredients found in this blend include:
-Cysteine
-Horsetail Extract
-Bioperine
-Resveratrol Extract
-Capsimax Extract
Honestly speaking, we still don't understand why some of these ingredients are used here. And to make matters worse, since this is a proprietary blend, it's impossible to tell how much of anything is used in it.
Synergen Complex (Proprietary Blend)
This is a formula that comprises dihydrotestosterone (DHT) inhibitors, stress adaptogens, and antioxidants. Here are specific ingredients that form part of this blend.
Tocotrienols ComplexThis is a form of Vitamin E that has been clinically tested and proven to enhance the healthy growth of your hair.
AshwagandhaStudies carried out show that ashwagandha decreases the levels of the C-reactive protein, stress hormones, and cortisol known to damage your hair.
CurcuminThis is extracted from turmeric, Curcuma longa, to support your immune system and to aid your body in combating molecules which interrupt hair growth.
Saw PalmettoClinical studies show that it aids in preventing testosterone conversion to DHT, a hormone in your body that can shrink your hair follicles ( 1).
Marine CollagenIt promotes nutrient diffusion in your body and healthy hair. A low molecular weight of marine collagen is achieved by hydrolysis to make it bioavailable.
Natural Ingredients
Nutrafol has a composition of chemicals directly extracted from nature to ensure you achieve great results. The natural ingredients are:
BiotinIt is a B-complex vitamin which is required for biotransformation of amino acids and fatty acids. Biotin in Nutrafol is for strengthening your hair and eliminating hair dryness, shedding, and breakage.
Cayenne Pepper ExtractThis deals with the negative effects of stress in your body and aids in the production of protein. The cayenne pepper extract in Nutrafol is safe for your stomach as no gastric irritation will occur.
Horsetail Herb ExtractThis herb is high in silica. After standardization to 7% in Nutrafol, the silica is sufficient to increase the thickness of your hair, strengthen your hair and reduce brittleness.
L-LysineThis form of lysine is good for your hair growth, increase in hair density and development. L-lysine works well with methionine which is rich in sulfur mineral.
Black Pepper Fruit ExtractIt contains piperine which is known to positively affect body heat and energy production. Heat and energy produced ensure Nutrafol minerals, vitamins, and amino acids are absorbed into your body and utilized well.
L-MethionineThis is an amino acid required for the growth of your hair. Your hair shaft will develop well thanks to L-methionine and your scalp will be healthy.
ResveratolYour scalp has free radicals that cause oxidative stress. Resveratol will defend your scalp and ensure your hair grows and it is of good quality.
SeleniumIt benefits your hair as it supports antioxidant enzymes that make sure, including your hair cells, are damage free. Selenium maintains the proper activity of your thyroid glands. This is good for your immune system and it will enhance the healthy growth of your hair.
Vitamin AVitamin A together with zinc reduce the clogging and drying of sebaceous glands in your scalp. Nutrafol has beta-carotene type of Vitamin A.
Vitamin CTaken from the Amazonian fruit camu camu, it works as a natural stimulant in the synthesis of collagen. Vitamin C is rich in amino acids and antioxidants. Your body's collagen stores are preserved and protected from damage by Vitamin C.
Vitamin DIt is essential for your hair growth. Vitamin D deficiency is likely to make your hair weak and prone to damage. Nutrafol contains Vitamin D which helps reduce the damage to your hair caused by stress.
Organic KelpKelps are brown algae seaweeds that grow in shallow oceans. From the cleanest of Earth's kelp beds, organic kelp in Nutrafol has natural iodine and beneficial bioactive micronutrients. It is important in ensuring a healthy thyroid.
ZincYour body uses zinc for metabolic functions like cell reproduction, maintenance of hormonal balance and utilization of protein. Your body's synthesis process involved in the creation and use of collagen is highly dependent on zinc, which is also a useful antioxidant.
How to Take Nutrafol
Nutrafol comes in a bottle of 120 pills. You're required to take a pill orally four times per day. This comes to 120 pills per month. You can take it with other drugs since it is an herbal product (but only do so with your doctor's advice to avoid interactions).
For better absorption, you are encouraged to take it with meals as it is fat-soluble.
Nutrafol is an over-the-counter (OTC) supplement but you are encouraged to consult your doctor prior to purchasing the pills. It is advisable that you're 18 years and above to start using Nutrafol.
Sufficient studies are yet to be carried out to determine how safe it is for pregnant and nursing mothers to use it.
So How Does Nutrafol Work?
As a product that targets multiple pressure points at once, Nutrafol claims to work by getting to the root of the problem. And literally so - it works by rejuvenating your hair roots; effectively preventing dormancy.
The Saw Palmetto ingredient found in it goes a long way in inhibiting the production of DHT which leads to baldness.
Besides that, it contains Ashwagandha, an adaptogen that helps you cope with stress. As you might be aware, stress has a huge role to play in hair loss.
With levels of cortisol and DHT and cortisol (stress hormone) rebalanced, your hair follicles go through a longer phase of growth. This ensures your hair is restored into a thicker and fuller form.
Moving on, Nutrafol targets your thyroid glands to improve your immune system. This is achieved through kelp and selenium which are essential for the healthy function of the thyroid glands.
Ultimately, a stronger immunity translates into healthier cells and by extension leads to the production of a silkier mane.
The Zinc and Vitamin A contents in this hair loss product further ensure that Nutrafol supports the healthy function of your sebaceous glands. And that way, your scalp is kept well moisturized and free from dandruff.
Customer Reviews
The market is crowded with hair vitamins and supplements. To find the perfect product to restore your lost hair is a tough call as the market is crowded and largely unregulated.
Most customers who have used Nutrafol ascertain that they have experienced positive results. Their hair thickness increased and the growth was amazing. Their hair that was fragile got strengthened and their hair volume also increased. These changes occurred between the first and the third month of using the product.
However, we have customers who feel Nutrafol is very expensive. This is because we have other hair regrowth formulas that have almost similar ingredients and produce similar results at reasonable prices.
It's a fact that Nutrafol has its fair share of merits and demerits. But how exactly does it compare with its competitors? Here's a comparison on an apples to apples basis.
Nutrafol versus Viviscal
`Viviscal is a hair regrowth formula too that retails at $50 while Nutrafol retails at $79. Therefore, Viviscal is way cheaper and in this regard, pocket-friendly.
The dosage for Viviscal is two pills per day. On the other hand, you are required to take four pills of Nutrafol per day. For those who dislike taking pills, you will definitely prefer Viviscal to Nutrafol.
Viviscal has had more clinical trials as compared with Nutrafol. This is because Viviscal has been in the market longer than Nutrafol.
Viviscal has fewer ingredients as compared with Nutrafol. Viviscal's major ingredient is AminoMar, whereas Nutrafol has a variety of premium blends. This means you are able to determine the potency of each ingredient when using the former unlike the latter.
Viviscal has four kinds of products. It has shampoo and supplement for both men and women, plus elixir and conditioner for women. Nutrafol only has the supplement, an all-in-one comprehensive product, for both men and women.
Nutrafol versus Folexin
Folexin has more ingredients than Nutrafol. Therefore, Folexin is more likely to provide your hair with the necessary nutrients as compared with Nutrafol.
Nutrafol retails at $79 on its official website for a bottle of pills that lasts you a month whereas Folexin goes at $18 for a bottle to last you a month. For Folexin, when you purchase more bottles, you get a discount. This advantage isn't provided by Nutrafol.
Customers who have used Folexin reported faster hair growth within the first two months as compared with those who used Nutrafol and took up to three months to record visible results.
Folexin has one version that is for both men and women. On the other hand, Nutrafol has three versions for men, women, and women at the menopausal stage.
Where to Buy Nutrafol
You can get Nutrafol on its official website, http://nutrafol.com/ where it retails at $79. However, you first have to subscribe to auto-shipping. You can unsubscribe after the purchase but this makes the buying process tiresome.
Nutrafol is available on eBay where each seller determines the price to use. This is discouraging as you will need to compare prices to get the best deal.
On Walmart, it retails at $89 which is higher than on the official site.
It retails at pretty much the same price on Amazon plus you do not need to enroll for the subscription unlike when you shop from the official website.
Does Nutrafol Work?
Yes, Nutrafol works. In fact, the company spends a third of its capital on clinical tests which ensures that the product is of the highest level of quality possible.
And as the old saying goes - the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Customers who have used Nutrafol seem to agree that it works.
Some said they noticed baby hair on areas of the scalp they had lost hair. This was after using Nutrafol consistently for a period of one to three months.
Clinical trials carried out showed that those who were on Nutrafol supplements recorded positive changes in their hair and the whole body. They felt better, less stressed and slept better at night. They also said their skin was glowing more and their overall well-being improved.
Side Effects of Nutrafol
Despite Nutrafol being all-natural, unfortunately, it has side effects too. Some of the customers who have used Nutrafol have complained of mild stomach pains and cramping. They felt uncomfortable after starting on Nutrafol dosage.
Taking too many pills is unhealthy. The recommended daily dose for Nutrafol is four pills. In a month, you take 120 pills. This comes to 720 pills in six months which might be too rich for your blood.
Being fat-soluble, Nutrafol has to be taken with a healthy fat. This means if you fail to follow the instructions, you are unlikely to achieve maximum expected results.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nutrafol
Q: How safe is it to use Nutrafol?A: Nutrafol is made from a blend of herbs, vitamins and mineral extracts. Therefore, it is safe. Clinical trials have shown that those who have used it have had positive results.
Q: What hair type is this product suitable for?A: The type of hair you have is as a result of the inherited shape of the follicles your hair grows from. Flat or oval-shaped hair follicles produce curly hair. Circular follicles produce straight hair. The nutrients found in Nutrafol are for all types of hair and varying hair textures.
Q: Who can use Nutrafol?A: Nutrafol can be used by anyone but scientific studies are yet to prove whether those below the age of 18 years can use it.
Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and those on blood thinning and anticoagulant drugs are cautioned to consult their doctors before purchasing it.
Q: What results should I expect with Nutrafol?A: Your hair and body are different from everyone else's. So the time you expect results will definitely vary. It is therefore important that you be patient and give Nutrafol time to work on your hair. You also need to commit to consistent use of the supplement.
Q: What is likely to happen in case I miss to take the pill for a day?A: Consistency is important for positive results. In case a day is skipped, you can still continue with the normal dosage. Missing a single dose is unlikely to affect the progress negatively.
Complaints
So far this company enjoys a grade C rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) platform. That, in our view, is a below-par performance for a company that claims to produce high-quality products.
Two complaints have so far been filed about them on this third-party website. One has been posted by a user who complained that the company automatically enrolled them for a subscription to their vitamins and there was no way to cancel that.
The second complaint was made by a user who said that the company's phone and email lines are never answered. Their phone line redirects you to an answering machine. We don't know about you but that sounds like pathetic customer support to us.
Nutrafol Review - Final Thoughts
In our view, Nutrafol is great but far from perfect. At its price, we'd have expected a lot more from it. Plus the company's customer support is wanting.
To sum up this Nutrafol review, we'd say it's okay to try it. But while at it, it's worth keeping in mind the fact that there are other equally powerful but cheaper alternatives available out there.
