A new six-month study of 180 women found tailored hair growth nutraceuticals significantly increased linear hair growth rate, anagen hair counts, and scalp coverage.
A new study published in Dermatology and Therapy on July 14, 2026, reports statistically significant improvements in linear hair growth rate (LHGR) among women using one of four tailored hair growth nutraceuticals (HGNs).1 The six-month, prospective, open-label study enrolled 180 women aged 18 to 70, with 150 completing the protocol. Participants were assigned to one of four commercially available Nutrafol formulations matched to their life stage: an original formula, a plant-based "advanced" formula, a menopause-focused "balance" formula, and a postpartum formula (evaluated in non-postpartum women to allow for a stable baseline). The research was funded by Nutraceutical Wellness, Inc. (Nutrafol's parent company), and several authors are company employees or paid consultants.
Rather than relying on self-report alone, researchers used standardized hair clipping followed by Canfield HairMetrix phototrichogram analysis at baseline, day 90, and day 180 to objectively quantify LHGR, hair counts, and anagen/telogen phase distribution. The primary endpoint was change in LHGR at day 180 versus baseline.
All four HGN groups showed statistically significant LHGR increases at both day 90 and day 180 (p<0.0001), with relative gains of roughly 18.6% to 37% above baseline. Anagen (actively growing) hair counts rose significantly across all groups, telogen counts declined, and total scalp coverage increased significantly by day 180 in every group. Self-reported questionnaires aligned with the objective measures: 89–97% of participants agreed that "my hair is growing faster" by day 180. Twenty-nine adverse events considered possibly or probably related to the products were reported, most mild, with gastrointestinal upset and acne cited most frequently; nine participants withdrew due to adverse events.
The study's authors acknowledge that its open-label, non-placebo-controlled design cannot rule out placebo effects or natural fluctuation in hair growth, and that the postpartum formula was tested in non-postpartum women to establish a stable baseline rather than in its intended population. Though men were not included in the study population, the researchers noted that future studies that include men could offer more insights into hair growth.
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In a press release, the company highlighted several aspects of LHGR as an endpoint.2 "Measuring linear hair growth rate is rarely done in clinical hair research because the technical demands are significant, you need to have the right type of validated equipment, and many therapies simply don't measure or report it,” said Raja Sivamani, MD, MS, AP, board-certified dermatologist and principal investigator. “That's what makes this data stand out – it is the kind of finding that should shift how the field evaluates approaches to assess hair thinning and hair health. The speed of hair growth is something patients notice and care about deeply, and it's exciting to see a multitargeting nutraceutical approach validated on this dimension alongside the other improvements we've seen."
Isabelle Raymond, PhD, Nutrafol's Senior Vice President of Global Medical and Clinical Affairs, characterized the study as reinforcing formulation efficacy across life stages. "We don't just invest in clinical research – we invest in studying the endpoints that matter most to physicians and consumers, even when they're technically challenging to measure," Raymond stated. "This study strengthens the clinical evidence supporting our Hair Growth Nutraceuticals, reinforcing the efficacy of our final formulations in helping women across life stages achieve healthier, faster-growing hair. It also reflects our continued commitment to advancing the science of hair health through meaningful, objective endpoints that help set a higher standard for the category."
The release also notes that the findings were first presented at the 2026 World Congress for Hair Research in South Korea before undergoing peer review. The study is one of 26 clinical studies Nutrafol has conducted on its formulations, including three randomized, placebo-controlled trials.
Separately, in an interview with Nutritional Outlook,
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