

Do Hair Growth Vitamins Actually Work?
We are not our hair, but we still want it to be healthy. U-parts and goddess braids are protective styles that give our natural hair a chance to grow and thrive (because sometimes we just need to leave it alone), but there's another step that could help your tresses live their best life, shining from beneath your wig cap and beyond.
I remember swearing by Biotin vitamins a few years ago. I took them faithfully and even started using shampoo and conditioner that was infused with it. I must say, I was a fan of the fullness and volume my natural hair had in the rare moments it was bouncing and behaving. But I can't honestly say it was because of Biotin. I haven't taken them in quite a while, and haven't seen any regression since.
What I can say is I was loyal to prenatal vitamins when I was pregnant, and my hair has never been so healthy. I literally kept taking them after my little one arrived just to maintain the growth. For me, that was the way to go and I refuse to look back. But that's just my testimony. If you've ever wondered if hair vitamins actually work, keep reading.The Truth About Hair Growth Vitamins
Plenty of women are swearing by their favorite hair vitamins, and for some, they work absolute wonders on their strands and edges. So what does science say? I don't want to burst your bubble, but according to a few experts, even though hair supplement vitamins have ingredients that promote hair growth (like biotin, and vitamins A, C, D, and E), the impact isn't always inevitable. Many also haven't been proven to be effective via the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Dermatologist Dhaval G. Bhanusali of Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery told Cosmopolitan:
"A lot of the studies you find in support of hair supplements are actually funded by the brands themselves. The literature is sketchy at best, and most derms agree that supplements are not very impressive."
But are we falling for the okie doke? Maybe not.
A second dermatologist, Michelle Henry, a clinical instructor at Weill Cornell Medical College, also gave the lowdown to Yahoo! Lifestyle.She noted that Vitamin D deficiencies and a lack of iron are typically reasons people experience hair loss, so many successfully take a vitamin to supplement and promote hair growth. And it works for them.
Dendy Engelman, M.D., and board-certified dermatologic surgeon echoed similar sentiments and told Prevention:
"Hair growth supplements are helpful for anyone who is experiencing hair loss, hair thinning, or for those who just want thicker or longer hair."
So, What's Really Legit? Here Are The Best Vitamins For Hair Growth
Most dermatologists seem to agree that it's best to find hair growth vitamins that include biotin, iron, zinc, and/or Vitamin B12, especially if you aren't getting enough in your daily diet. Vitamin A, magnesium, and vitamin D are also ingredients that promote healthy hair. Here are a few hair growth vitamins that are said to be the best in the game.
1. Nature's Bounty Biotin
Amazon
While I can't say that biotin was a key reason I experienced healthy hair, it's boasted as one of the best vitamin supplements out there for a reason, and many nutrition companies sell it. It's a water-soluble vitamin, and we all know water is the not-so-secret ingredient that leads to healthy hair, skin, and nails. So you might flourish in more ways than one with this vitamin.
2. VitaFusion PreNatal Multivitamin Gummy
Walmart
I can go on and on about this prenatal multivitamin and what it can do for hair growth. But I think it's all about what works best for your hair. FYI: You can still take it even if you're not pregnant. It has plenty of vitamins A, C, D, E, B6, B12, and zinc -- pretty much all of the supplements you need that promote healthy hair. I must say they don't taste too bad either.
3. Hairfinity Healthy Hair Vitamins
Hairfinity
Hairfinity Healthy Hair Vitamins has only grown in popularity since it launched a few years ago. And if you're looking to support a black female business owner on your hair journey, look no further. Tai Lawrence Brock launched Brock Beauty after having her own struggles with her hair from overusing products and heat damage. I think we can relate to that. As for what's in it, Hairfinity Vitamins include vitamins A, C, D, B6, B12, and biotin.
4. Love, Beauty and Planet Berry Extraordinary Vegan Hair & Nails Supplement
Target
Not only do these vitamins have lots of vitamin D, B12, iodine, and folic acid, they're vegan! Each bottle is made from recycled plastic, so they're also eco-friendly. They're also not too expensive either.
5. Movita Women's Multivitamin
Movita
This vitamin is full of fermented superfoods, so your empty stomach won't have too hard of a time digesting it. It has plenty of antioxidants and other products like biotin and turmeric that encourage hair growth. This is also black-owned!
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Charmaine Patterson is a journalist, lifestyle blogger, and a lover of all things pop culture. While she has much experience in covering top entertainment news stories, she aims to share her everyday life experiences, old and new, with other women who can relate, laugh, and love along with her. Follow Char on Twitter @charjpatterson, Instagram @charpatterson, and keep up with her journey at CharJPatterson.com .
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
Blac Chyna Opens Up About Her Initial Fear To Share Her Spiritual Journey With Others
Watching Angela “Blac Chyna” White’s transformation in real-time has truly been a sight to see. It wasn’t that long ago that she announced that she was reversing her cosmetic surgeries in an effort to go back to who she was before the world came to know her as Blac Chyna. In previous interviews, she stated that she was dissolving her facial and lip fillers, removing her breast implants, and getting a butt reduction, as well as removing the dimple piercings that enhanced her fame and controversial tattoos.
In a recent Tamron Hall interview, the mother of two said that she has “fully recovered” from the procedures. She is also celebrating one year of sobriety and opened up about being worried about how her new journey would be received by others.
“I’ve been in the entertainment industry for so long, right, and of course, like, you know, coming out, I’m like young, I’m gonna do wild things as we all have,” she said.
“...I feel like by me being vocal and showing everybody you can change your life and things can get better, like through myself, that right there is an accomplishment, and that’s a part of freedom, too.”
But as she started on her journey, many people have shown her grace, which is something she’s grateful for. “And then the fact that people have been showing me grace, it’s like amazing,” she said. “And I feel like when I did it, I just did it. It was more so like spiritual thing and I feel like people see that, and I’ve always been like my authentic self, so what you see is kinda what you get with me, and that’s just kinda what it is.”
Chyna, who recently received an honorary doctorate from Sacramento Theology Seminary and Bible College, has also repaired her relationship with her mom, Tokyo Toni. The social media celebrity surprised her daughter on the Tamron Hall Show. Prior to the sentimental surprise, Chyna dished on the reconciliation and having a better understanding of her mom.
“I must say, some of the things I have to take accountability for because, like my actions. As a mother, you don’t want to see your daughter doing certain things ‘cause it’s like it doesn’t matter what my past was or what we’re going through, I didn’t raise you that way,” she admitted. “So, it’s like, okay, maybe I was a little bit wrong. Maybe I was acting out a little bit. But I feel like as we grow older, I kinda see more, and I understand more.”
Chyna will be starring in season two of Fox's reality competition show Special Forces: World's Toughest Test.
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