Want shinier and thicker hair? Expert explains how to use vitamin E for a healthy hair growth

Apart from chemical-based hair growth serums and treatments, vitamin E is a traditionally used, natural nutrient known for improving hair health.

Due to factors such as a busy lifestyle, pollution, poor dietary habits, and changing lifestyle patterns, hair often becomes weaker and loses its natural shine over time. While vitamin E has recently gained attention for its hair-health benefits, it has been used traditionally for years to nourish hair and improve its texture. From helping reduce hair fall to improving shine and managing split ends, vitamin E is a powerful nutrient often recommended as a natural option before opting for chemical-based hair treatments.

Vitamin e for hair growth: Healthy ways to use it for stronger, shinier hair (Freepik)

By Ishika Narang

Ishika Narang is a Multimedia Writer at the Hindustan Times, with over three years of experience in digital journalism, specialising in health, lifestyle, beauty, and consumer-focused reporting. Her primary coverage areas include evidence-based health journalism, preventive care, wellness trends, and affiliate-driven consumer guides tailored for digital audiences. She began her professional journey in digital media, where she developed expertise in multimedia storytelling and platform-optimised editorial strategies. Over the years, she has worked with reputed organisations such as Park+, Jagran, and Wavel.ai, steadily building credibility in health and consumer journalism. Her work reflects a strong progression in editorial responsibility, combining research-backed reporting with audience-focused content formats. At Hindustan Times, she produces in-depth health and lifestyle features, expert-led explainers, and data-informed consumer stories. She also focuses extensively on affiliate articles, creating well-researched buying guides, product comparisons, and recommendation-based content that balances commercial intent with editorial integrity. Alongside writing, she conceptualises and manages social media storytelling, ensuring content is informative, engaging, and optimised for platform-specific consumption. Her subject expertise includes preventive healthcare, nutrition, supplements, women’s health, beauty trends, consumer awareness, and affiliate commerce content. She integrates expert consultations, peer-reviewed research, verified product analysis, and transparent sourcing. Her strengths lie in evidence-based storytelling, simplifying complex information, and producing reader-first affiliate content that prioritises trust and value. Ishika holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) in Marketing from Guru Gobind Indraprastha University, which enhances her understanding of consumer behaviour, digital commerce, and audience engagement, skills that complement her specialisation in consumer and affiliate journalism. She is committed to ethical reporting, transparent affiliate disclosures, rigorous fact-checking, and maintaining editorial credibility, ensuring every story upholds reader trust and journalistic standards.

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Dermatologist Dr Shareefa Chause of Shareefa Skin Care Clinic tells Health Shots: “Vitamin E is crucial for your hair. It is a fat-soluble antioxidant that is important when it comes to protecting hair follicles from oxidative stress and is necessary for a healthy scalp. It improves blood circulation to the scalp, promoting stronger, shinier hair and reducing breakage.”

What does research say?

Hair loss (alopecia) is associated with increased oxidative stress and lower antioxidant levels in the scalp. Tocotrienols, a powerful antioxidant form of vitamin E, were investigated for their influence on hair growth. PubMed cites an eight-month clinical trial on volunteers with hair loss who took 100 mg of tocotrienols daily. The results showed a significant increase in hair count (34.5%) compared to a slight decrease in the placebo group. While their hair thickness did not change significantly, the study concluded that tocotrienol supplementation can aid in hair growth, most likely by lowering oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the scalp.

How vitamin E may support hair health

• Vitamin E may support hair health in many ways. They feed your hair with nutrients and take care of your scalp.
• Stimulates Hair Growth: Vitamin E promotes hair growth. It can help strengthen weak hair roots and improve blood flow to your scalp, so your hair gets more oxygen and nutrients. This helps your hair grow stronger and healthier.
• Improves Scalp Health: Vitamin E helps maintain the oil balance on the scalp, preventing it from becoming too dry or too oily. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce irritation, itchiness, or flakiness.
• Prevents Hair Breakage: Dry, brittle hair is more prone to breakage and split ends. Vitamin E possesses moisturising properties, which improve hair elasticity and reduce damage.
• Adds Natural Shine: Vitamin E restores the natural shine of dull, damaged hair by repairing the hair cuticle and improving hydration.

Safety tips and best practices

Use vitamin E in moderation, says the dermatologist. Excessive topical or oral use may result in scalp irritation and vitamin toxicity. Before using it on your scalp, you should perform a patch test. Supplements should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor, especially if you have a medical condition or are taking another medication. So, according to the dermatologist, don't try anything on your own and instead follow the doctor's guidelines.

Ways to use vitamin E

Dr Sneha Sood, Dermatologist at Aster RV Hospital, suggests primarily two ways to use vitamin E topically and orally. Both methods have advantages, and combining them may offer better results over time. Topical use allows direct delivery of nutrients to the scalp and hair. However, vitamin E oil is quite thick, so diluting it before application is essential. Nuts (almonds, hazelnuts), seeds, spinach, sunflower oil, and avocados are rich natural sources. Consuming vitamin E through food ensures better absorption and safety. Taking vitamin E capsules for hair orally can provide nourishment from within. These supplements help improve your overall Vitamin E levels, indirectly benefiting your scalp and hair.

(Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.)