The cheap-as-chips hair loss supplements that can turn your wispy hair into thick, healthy locks - as chosen by top experts

There's a new hero pill in the world of hair supplements - 'natural' tablets that claim to restore thinning, wispy hair.Nutrafol - which contains a host of vitamins, minerals and other natural compounds - is one of very few products to be based on clinical evidence.According to a peer reviewed study involving 180 women published in July, taking the daily supplement for six months can increase the rate of hair growth by up to 37 per cent - and boost the number of individual strands on a woman's scalp.The brand say its 'evidence-based innovation' helps users 'achieve healthier hair from within'. But does it? While the studies sound promising, experts told the Daily Mail that the trials showing a benefit are 'still very small'. Nutritionist Amy Burgess says the individual ingredients within the supplement have offered 'mixed results' in studies. Importantly, the July trial was funded entirely by the company.But are there any hair supplements that can boost your quantity of full, shiny locks? Here, leading experts reveal the affordable nutrients that could actually work. Can a daily supplement really be the key to thicker, fuller and shinier hair? Experts reveal allVitamin D could work if you're among the third of Britons who are deficientKnown as sunshine in a bottle, vitamin D is best known for keeping bones healthy but it also plays a vital role in contributing to the production of keratin, the protein that gives hair its strength and structure.The nutrient also binds to specific receptors in hair follicles to stimulate the active growth phase.Studies have found that women suffering from certain types of hair loss - such as non-scarring alopecia - are more likely to have low vitamin D levels.Amy Burgess, a registered nutritionist, points to a 2021 study in which 82.5 percent of patients with telogen effluvium – a condition where a large amount of hair sheds all at the same time – showed improvement after taking vitamin D.But it is not a catch-all fix. 'Although there is evidence that vitamin D contributes to improving hair regrowth in cases, there is a lack of convincing and consistent evidence to suggest it can improve hair growth in other female populations,' she explained.She also added that it depends on individual factors, such as iron levels, caffeine intake and pre-existing health conditions.Trichologist Samantha Stewart who works with Hair Gain agrees that correcting a deficiency may help but warns that taking extra vitamin D is unlikely to make any difference if levels are already healthy.However, studies estimate that up to a third of Britons may be deficient in the winter months.In the UK, adults are advised to consider taking 10 micrograms (400 IU) daily during autumn and winter, with some needing supplements throughout the year.Women with heavy periods could benefit from iron pills If you're noticing more hair than usual clogging the shower drain or collecting in your hairbrush, low iron levels could be to blame.Iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen around the body, including to the hair follicles meaning a deficiency can trigger excessive shedding.Women with heavy periods or restrictive diets are particularly at risk as iron stores can run low even before anaemia develops. Some 20 per cent of women aged 18-49 are thought to be iron deficient, according to a 2024 nationwide analysis.Amy Burgess explains: 'Iron is probably one of the most common causes of hair thinning and may lead to hair loss if unmanaged.'A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis of 36 studies involving more than 10,000 participants found that women with hair loss had significantly lower iron stores than women without hair loss. The authors concluded that women with hair loss may benefit from increasing their levels via supplementation.Another Israeli review from the same year found patients reporting higher doses of iron and better adherence to supplementation were more likely to report improvement in hair loss - particularly if they were deficient.However, experts warn that taking too much is risky, and can potentially cause constipation, nausea and stomach pain, among other, more serious complications.A simple blood test can help identify whether low iron is contributing to the problem and supplements - priced as little as £4.50 for a month's supply - may help restore healthy hair growth over several months.Try MSM...or a probioticVitamins B2, B12 and folate are important for healthy hair, while zinc helps support the normal functioning of hair follicles.Nutritionist Amy Burgess says deficiencies in these nutrients have been linked to hair loss. But rather than splashing out on expensive supplements, she recommends eating plenty of wholegrains, eggs, meat and leafy greens for B vitamins, alongside zinc-rich nuts and seeds.Other ingredients being investigated include methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), a sulphur-containing compound naturally found in plants that may help improve hair condition.The substance is one of the building blocks of keratin.One recent trial of the supplement - which can be found at high street health stores for £10 for 120 pills - found that taking 1000-3000mg daily could improve hair volume and shine over several months in women without diagnosed hair loss.Another small study in people with telogen effluvium (stress-related hair shedding) reported improvements in hair growth, volume and brittleness after MSM-containing supplementation. However, an important caveat is that the studies were not large-scale - involving small numbers of participants - and most were funded by the companies behind the supplement.Probiotics are another emerging contender. Amy Burgess highlighted a 2024 analysis which suggests certain strains of beneficial bacteria could support hair growth by influencing proteins involved in maintaining healthy hair follicles.She said: 'Some live bacteria strains may boost vascular endothelial growth factor, which is a protein that can support the health of hair follicles and growth phases. However, more exploration is needed in this area of research.'The one solution that's proven to work...but be wary of swallowing it Unlike many supplements promising thicker, fuller locks, topical minoxidil is one of the few hair loss treatments backed by strong scientific evidence.Available via a prescription as a lotion or foam, it is applied directly to the scalp and can help slow hair loss and stimulate regrowth in women suffering from female pattern baldness.Amy Burgess explains that it works by opening potassium channels in hair follicles, helping stimulate the processes involved in hair growth.Trichologist Samantha Stewart added: 'Topical minoxidil is one of the best established treatments for female pattern hair loss. 'It can help maintain existing hair and improve growth, although it does not work for everyone or restore every woman's previous density.'But don't expect overnight miracles. Some women notice improvements within a few months, although it can take six to 12 months to properly judge the results, the experts say.There is also a catch - stop using it and the hair you've regained or maintained will gradually be lost.Side effects can include scalp irritation, unwanted facial hair and even increased shedding during the first few weeks.Low-dose oral minoxidil is another option but it can also cause dizziness, fluid retention and heart palpitations, with potentially serious cardiovascular effects in some patients.And the supplement that won't work... Also known as vitamin B7, it helps the body make keratin and can fuel the dividing of hair follicles, promoting growth. Deficiency is known to leave strands thin, brittle and prone to breaking.But genuine biotin deficiency is rare and there is little evidence that taking extra will boost hair growth if you're already getting enough.Amy Burgess said: 'Biotin supplements don't directly accelerate or stimulate growth but it plays an important function in hair composition and structure.'Most people get sufficient amounts from a balanced diet, making expensive supplements largely unnecessary.'Samantha adds: 'The fact that a nutrient is necessary for healthy hair does not mean that taking more of it will make hair grow faster or thicker.'High doses also come with a surprising risk. Biotin can interfere with blood tests, including those used to diagnose thyroid problems and heart attacks, potentially producing dangerously misleading results.