Can NMN Improve Hair Growth: The New Rogaine in Town?

Hair loss or alopecia is a common condition that may affect the scalp of both men and women of any age group, temporarily or permanently. Alopecia can be the result of hormonal changes, heredity, or aging. 

Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) boosts nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels, which are vital for improving healthy hair follicles. Because NMN promotes cellular functions, it may reduce hair loss and enhance hair vitality and growth. 

Several studies showed its effectiveness in promoting blood flow to the scalp, creating an environment that promotes hair growth. Additionally, NMN’s antioxidative properties, which help protect and strengthen hair cells, are one of the many reasons it's referred to as the new rogaine in town. 

What is Hair Loss?

Hair loss or alopecia is a medical condition that causes an individual to lose hair on the head or other body parts. Although the average person may lose about 100 strands of hair daily, new strands grow to replace the lost ones. In alopecia, the rate of hair loss significantly exceeds the rate of hair growth, leading to visible thinning and even completely bald spots.

How NMN Promotes Hair Growth

Hair loss is the gradual thinning of hair follicles, which leads to less hair coverage. Besides the physical aspect of the matter, alopecia can have a major emotional and mental impact on the individual. Although some forms of hair loss may be temporary, many are permanent. Over the years, there has been an increase in the number of studies on NMN serving as a solution for hair loss.

NMN is a precursor to NAD+, an enzyme involved in the repair of DNA and cellular energy production. Improving NAD+ levels in the body can enhance hair follicles, reduce hair loss, and improve hair growth. Although NMN has a therapeutic effect, using it based on prescription is vital to ensure safety and efficiency. 

As the body ages, its ability to produce enough NAD+ declines. This can influence some age-related conditions like alopecia and other molecular events. However, with NMN supplements, you can boost your body's NAD+ levels, potentially reducing hair loss.   

To understand how NMN affects hair growth on a deeper level, more studies are needed. However, one of the vital roles of NMN is that it leads to improved mitochondrial function and cellular repair mechanisms. 

When NMN optimizes cellular metabolism, NMN may prolong the anagen growth phase of the hair cycle. This could help to promote thicker and healthier hair by minimizing follicular miniaturization (withering). 

Scientific Studies Supporting NMN's Role in Hair Loss Reversal

According to scientists from Guangxi University in China, NMN promotes hair growth. They researched human hair-regenerating cells that were exposed to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a vital hormone often associated with male-pattern baldness. When the DHT cells were exposed, they mimicked what happens during hair loss.

Exposure to DHT impairs the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a signal protein that promotes the growth of new blood vessels. A reduced level of VEGF leads to reduced blood flow and increased hair loss. Rogaine, known as minoxidil, is a hair growth treatment that increases blood flow to hair follicles. 

Both NMN and Rogaine effectively prevent VEGF decline, but NMN overall could be a safer and more effective supplement for growing thick hair. NMN also reduces the risks of hair follicle inflammation thanks to its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Based on the research results from Guangxi University on human hair-regenerating cells, NMN could improve hair growth.

Other studies suggest that NMN could help rejuvenate aging cells. Some of these studies further concluded that it stimulates hair follicle proliferation. Ongoing clinical trials still investigate the efficiency of NMN in addressing age-related hair loss and other NMN therapeutic effects for people living with hair thinning. 

NMN Vs. Rogaine

Researchers also assessed the effect of NMN on mouse hair growth. They removed a patch of fur, applied 0.5% NMN, and watched its growth. Another group of mice was being treated with 5% of minoxidil (rogaine). 

Both specimens were studied and checked after 15 days. The study noticed that both specimens showed the same fur regrowth levels. According to the study, the effects of NMN are comparable to those of rogaine.

Limitations and Challenges of Using NMN for Hair Loss Treatment

Although NMN appears to be effective for hair loss treatment, its use may have some limitations and challenges. Although NMN is considered to be fairly safe for long-term supplementation, it’s vital to reach out to your health professional if you have any underlying health condition. 

Another limitation of this compound is the lack of clinical data on its long-term effects in treating alopecia. Although the preliminary results from animal studies are encouraging, human trials are definitely needed to confirm the benefits.

Other Benefits of NMN Supplements for Hair Growth

As a universal supplement for vitality and longevity, NMN has a wide range of potential health benefits, some of which could further improve hair growth besides a direct effect on the blood supply to the hair follicles.

NMN Can Improve the Production of Cellular Energy

NMN is involved in the production of ATP, which is the body’s primary source of energy on a cellular level. As a result, this enhances the body's metabolism, which could promote hair maintenance and growth. 

NMN Helps to Slow Down Aging

One prominent feature of NMN is its anti-aging benefits. NMN increases NAD+ production, making it possible to improve cellular repair in the body. NMN slows down some age-related changes in the hair follicles, helping maintain youthful hair longer. 

With aging comes a reduction in the body's blood flow rate. Eventually, this contributes to dryness, loss of skin firmness, and a decrease in hair elasticity, which may lead to hair breakage. NMN increases the blood flow in the body by increasing nitric oxide levels, which helps promote blood circulation. 

NMN Can Help Fight Dandruff

NMN plays an active role in energy production and has also been shown to improve cancer treatments and promote hair growth. It may also help in treating seborrheic dermatitis, often caused by inflammation. Dandruff occurs due to a yeast overgrowth on the scalp, leading to irritation.  

Supports Collagen Production

Collagen is a structural protein that makes up to 30% of all the protein in the human body. Although it’s essential to maintain the proper structure of all organs, collagen is most often explored in the context of skin, tendon, and bone health. As you age, your body starts producing less collagen, but NMN supplements help trigger collagen production.

NMN Has Antioxidative Properties

NMN's antioxidative action makes it one of the best supplements for hair loss prevention. The stem cells in hair follicles are vital for producing new hair growth. However, these cells are highly susceptible to oxidative stress, which can lead to hair loss.

NMN supplements can reduce the oxidative stress levels in the hair follicles and help the body neutralize and eliminate free radicals that contribute to oxidative stress.

Optimal Dosage of NMN for Hair Growth

When taking NMN, it’s essential to maintain safety and maximize its beneficial effects. Some factors that may impact the dosage of NMN are weight, age, and health conditions. Healthcare practitioners can give specific dosage recommendations based on these factors and monitor the body's reaction to the supplements to avoid or minimize any potential side effects. Overall, the recommended daily dosage for individuals looking to improve their hair growth is 250 mg of NMN. It is often available as a capsule and should be taken with meals to ensure an effective absorption rate. 

Dietary Sources of NMN

NMN is naturally present in some foods, including:

• Cabbage
• Edamame
• Milk
• Cucumbers
• Broccoli

However, it's physically impossible to get enough NMN daily from dietary sources, because its content in even “rich” sources is quite low. The optimal way to get enough NMN or any potential benefits is to take a high-quality NMN supplement long-term.

Side Effects

Although NMN has multiple benefits for hair growth, it may have a few side effects. These are rare and usually mild, but it’s still recommended to keep an eye out for:

• Allergic reactions. Some people may experience signs of allergic reactions when taking NMN supplements, like itching, swelling, and rash. In most cases, this isn’t caused by NMN specifically, but rather by other additives included in the formula. To avoid these, look for a lab-tested supplement with purity certificates. If you experience any symptoms that could indicate an allergic reaction, stop taking your supplements immediately and reach out to a doctor for medical advice.
• Gastrointestinal issues: In some cases, people experience mild digestive discomfort when taking NMN supplements, specifically nausea or an upset stomach. These signs are usually the body’s way of telling you to adjust your dosage. In most people, digestive discomfort subsides on its own after some time of taking NMN. To avoid this effect altogether, taking NMN with food is usually enough.
• Interaction with prescription medications: Individuals with certain medical conditions, like liver disease and diabetes, should only take the prescribed dose of NMN supplements, ideally under medical supervision. NMN is extremely safe on its own, but it may interact with prescription medications.

Conclusion

Although several studies show the benefits of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) on hair growth, more studies are needed to reveal the full range of effects and safety markers. NMN helps to increase the production of NAD+ levels in the body and protects hair stem cells to promote their growth. NAD+ also plays a vital role in supporting the biological processes that contribute to hair health and development. 

NMN serves as a therapeutic agent for hair growth. It enhances cellular function, reducing hair loss and increasing hair vitality. Individuals with certain health conditions should seek medical advice before taking NMN supplements for hair growth. Medical practitioners can recommend an appropriate dosage of NMN that could lead to healthier and stronger hair.