Vitamins For Teenage Hair Loss

Hair loss can occur from hereditary factors, health problems and using harsh chemical hair dyes. Teenagers who suffer from stress such as peer pressure and relationship problems may lose their hair. Stress affects the scalp's circulation, constricting blood flow to hair follicles, states Gale Malesky, author of "The Definitive Guide to Health Supplements." The hair then may die and falls out. A good diet and the right vitamins can help.

Biotin

Biotin, or vitamin B-7, a good vitamin source for healthy hair, is found in beans, lentils, and legumes, "Good Housekeeping" magazine reports. Your teenager can take 50 mg of biotin per day as an over-the-counter supplement to her diet. Some teenagers do not like beans, so if your teen doesn't get enough B-7 from that source, your doctor can advise you on how much your teenager needs from other sources.

Vitamin B-12 and Iron

You can find vitamin B-12 in salmon, a cold water fish. This fish contains omega-3-acid ethyl esters and provides a good deal of protein along with its vitamin B-12 content. Salmon also contains iron, a mineral that supports healthy red blood cells. Flax seed oil and primrose oil contain omega-6 fatty acids also help your teenager have healthy hair and skin. Malesky states that you can get flax seed in any grocery store and add it to cereal for ingestion. You will quickly notice the positive effects on your hair within a few weeks. Ask your doctor for advice on dosage.

Vitamin C

Ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, naturally found in citrus fruits as well as vegetables, provides your hair with the needed tools to produce sebum on your scalp, states Good Housekeeping Magazine. This vitamin, along with vitamin A, helps to support provide the good health of your scalp. New hair follicles need a healthy scalp in which to grow, and need nourishment as well. Sebum, or oil, will nourish and protect the new hairs as they grow.

Vitamin E

Malesky notes that your hair depends upon vitamin E for scalp blood circulation and re-growth of hair. Vitamin E is found in food sources such as wheat-germ oil, turnip greens, spinach, mustard greens, wheat germ, almonds, margarine, dandelion greens, soybean oil, sunflower oil and seeds. As a supplemental vitamin, you can take between 400 and 800 mg daily. Before starting this supplement, the teenager should be under the care of a doctor. It's good for parents to also obtain information regarding dosage and possible side effects.

Vitamin A

Good Housekeeping Magazine reports a good source of vitamin A is spinach. Other dark green vegetables also contain vitamin A and remain necessary for re-growth of your hair. A healthy scalp promotes re-growth of hair follicles. Your scalp depends on vitamin A for the natural oil produced by your scalp called sebum. Sebum naturally oils your hair, acting as a conditioner for new hair growth and your existing hair.