Each hair on the head of your child grows from a follicle embedded in the layers of skin of the scalp. Cells inside the follicle produce the cells that make the hair shaft, the part you see as hair. As cells are made, your child's hair grows longer. Although the follicle is living tissue, the hair shaft is not. Vitamins may promote healthy and strong hair in children, but check with your doctor first.
Vitamin A
The scalp contains and nourishes the follicles that grow your child's hair. A healthy scalp normally is indicative of healthy hair. According to Ohio State University, vitamin A, also called retinol, plays a key role in the development of healthy skin and hair. Vitamin A is also called the anti-infective drug, needed for the proper functioning of the immune system. Inadequate amounts of vitamin A may leave your child more susceptible to colds and bacterial infections that may affect hair growth. The recommended dietary allowance, RDA, varies according to the age of the child. The RDA for a child between 4 and 8 is 400 IU per day.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C plays an integral part in the production of collagen, states the Linus Pauling Institute. Collagen forms part of the structure that makes up blood vessels. A scalp that is well-nourished by an adequate blood supply produces healthy follicles that may promote your child's hair growth. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, protecting the proteins that make up your child's hair, and fighting free radicals that may cause disease. The RDA for vitamin C for children 4 to 8 years old is 45mg per day.
Biotin
Biotin is part of the B-complex family of drugs. It is also known as vitamin H. Biotin is responsible for the metabolizing of fats and proteins, necessary to keep your child's hair strong and growing. The University of Maryland Medical Center says that biotin is often the choice for strengthening hair. Deficiency in biotin may cause hair loss and a scaling scalp. The adequate daily intake for biotin is 12mcg per day for children between the ages of 4 and 8.
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