Name Ingredients:
Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is a water-soluble vitamin naturally found in many foods and added to foods and supplements. Vitamin B6 must be obtained from the diet because humans cannot synthesize it, and it is thought to enhance circulation, the immune system, and mood, as well as reduce morning sickness for pregnant women. B6 is commonly used as an ingredient in multivitamins and supplements, including those targeted for hair health and growth.
Key insights:
- The in vitro evidence suggests that vitamin B6 can increase cell proliferation of dermal papilla cells (specialized cells involved in hair follicle growth and cycling), as well as reduce cell death.
- The ex vivo evidence suggests that supplementation with a combination of vitamin B6, panthenyl ethyl ether, and tocopherol acetate can significantly enhance hair follicle growth and increase hair matrix cell proliferation. However, because this was a combination treatment, it is not possible to know if the positive effects were due to vitamin B6 or the other ingredients.
- The in vivo evidence suggests that rabbits that were supplemented through the diet containing vitamin B6 showed increased hair follicle density (the total number of hair follicles) as well as enhanced growth, leading to longer hairs than that of the control treated group.
- The clinical evidence suggests that vitamin B6 injections may reduce hair loss in women with diffuse alopecia.
- Our experience tracking members: by itself, vitamin B6 alone is not enough to improve hair loss outcomes.
Additional links:
- Vitamin B6: Evidence Quality (Rubric)
- Evaluation of vitamin B6 and calcium pantothenate effectiveness on hair growth from clinical and trichographic aspects for treatment of diffuse alopecia in women.
- Pyridoxine regulates hair follicle development via the P13K/Akt, Wnt, and Notch signaling pathways in rex rabbits