How Long Does It Take For Hair, Skin, and Nail Vitamins To Work

Our skin, hair, and nails, are great at letting us know when we’re deficient in vitamins and minerals. When skin gets dry or blemished, when hair gets brittle, and when nails get discolored or weak, it’s a sign we need to take our health more seriously.

Of course, keeping a balanced, nutritious diet is one way to keep the body in good shape, but if you want an extra helping hand, supplementation is also an option.

But how long do vitamins take to work?  The answer won’t be the same for everyone, but there are a few things you should know.

What are vitamins and how do they work?

Vitamins are natural and organic compounds that are found in minuscule amounts in various foods. The human body requires a certain amount of different vitamins on a daily basis in order to operate at an optimum level of health.

There are 13 recognized vitamins. They are;

Vitamin A

Also called retinol, Vitamin A is essential for eye health. It can be found in foods such as liver, cod liver oil, carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, butter, kale, spinach, pumpkins, collard greens, some cheeses, eggs, apricots, cantaloupe melon, and milk.

It is also excellent at reducing the signs of aging, as it can smooth over lines and wrinkles.^[1]  It’s an essential ingredient in many anti-aging products and is great when used to treat and maintain healthy mature skin.

Vitamin B2

Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, is an important nutrient that plays a key role in maintaining healthy skin. Here are some of the benefits that vitamin B2 can provide for the skin:

• Promotes healthy skin function: Vitamin B2 is essential for maintaining healthy skin function, including the production of new skin cells and the repair of damaged skin.
• Fights free radicals: Vitamin B2 has antioxidant properties, which means it helps to neutralize free radicals that can damage skin cells and lead to premature aging.
• Reduces inflammation: Vitamin B2 has anti-inflammatory properties, which means it can help to reduce inflammation in the skin and soothe conditions such as acne, eczema, and rosacea.^[2]
• Boosts collagen production: Vitamin B2 is also important for the production of collagen, which is a key structural protein in the skin that helps to keep it firm and smooth.
• Improves overall skin health: By supporting healthy skin function, fighting free radicals, reducing inflammation, and boosting collagen production, vitamin B2 can help to improve overall skin health, leading to a more radiant, youthful-looking complexion.  If you’re looking to get gorgeous dewy skin, you should learn to love vitamin B2!

It is found in asparagus, bananas, cottage cheese, milk, yogurt, meat, eggs, fish, and green beans.

Vitamin B3

Vitamin B3, also known as niacinamide, is a water-soluble vitamin that has numerous benefits for the skin. Here are some of the ways that vitamin B3 can improve skin health:

1. Moisturizes and hydrates the skin: Vitamin B3 helps to improve the skin’s natural barrier function, which helps to lock in moisture and keep the skin hydrated.
2. Anti-aging and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles: Vitamin B3 can help to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, which are essential for maintaining the skin’s elasticity and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
3. Improves skin texture and tone: Vitamin B3 can help to reduce hyperpigmentation, redness, and blotchiness, resulting in a more even skin tone and texture.
4. Reduces inflammation: Vitamin B3 has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce redness, irritation, and acne breakouts.
5. Protects against environmental damage: Vitamin B3 has antioxidant properties, which means it can help to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals and environmental stressors.

Overall, vitamin B3 is a versatile and effective ingredient for improving skin health and is suitable for most skin types. Whether used in a serum, moisturizer, or other skincare product, incorporating vitamin B3 into your routine can help to hydrate, brighten, and protect your skin, leaving it looking and feeling its best.

Good sources include chicken, beef, tuna, salmon, milk, eggs, tomatoes, leafy vegetables, broccoli, carrots, nuts, and seeds.

Vitamin B5

Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for maintaining healthy skin. Here are some of the ways that vitamin B5 can improve skin health:

• Moisturizes and hydrates the skin: Vitamin B5 is a natural humectant, which means it helps to attract and retain moisture in the skin, leaving it hydrated and supple.^[3]
• Soothes and calms the skin: Vitamin B5 has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to soothe and calm irritated or sensitive skin.
• Promotes wound healing: Vitamin B5 can help to accelerate the healing process of the skin by promoting the production of new skin cells and collagen.
• Regulates oil production: Vitamin B5 can help to regulate sebum production in the skin, which can be helpful for those with oily or acne-prone skin.
• Improves skin texture and tone: By improving skin hydration, reducing inflammation, and promoting wound healing, vitamin B5 can help to improve the overall texture and tone of the skin.

Great sources of Vitamin B5 include meat, whole grains, and yogurt.

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for numerous bodily functions. It plays a key role in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, and is involved in the production of red blood cells, neurotransmitters, and hormones.

Vitamin B6 is found in a variety of foods, including meats, fish, whole grains, vegetables, and nuts. It can also be taken as a supplement in the form of tablets, capsules, or liquid.

A deficiency in vitamin B6 can lead to a range of health problems.  These include anemia, depression, and neurological disorders. However, taking too much vitamin B6 can also be harmful, so it’s important to follow the recommended daily intake guidelines.

Overall, vitamin B6 is an important nutrient that supports overall health and well-being.  It is involved in many processes in the body, including those related to skin health.

Vitamin B7

Known as biotin, it helps create keratin, which is an important structural protein for the skin, hair, and nails. Sourced in foods such as spinach, egg yolks, broccoli, cheese, and liver.

Vitamin B9

Also referred to as folic acid, it is essential for pregnant women as it can strengthen the fetus’s nervous system. Vitamin B9 can be supplemented, but can otherwise be found in leafy vegetables, peas, legumes, liver, some fortified grain products, and sunflower seeds.

Vitamin B12

Crucial to helping build a strong nervous system. Sourced in meat, fish, shellfish, dairy products, eggs, and poultry.

Vitamin C

Supports the immune system, helps collagen production, wound healing, strengthens blood vessels, and is an antioxidant. Mainly found in raw fruit and vegetables.

Vitamin D

Essential for strong bone health and mineralization. Best sourced from UV rays from the sun, but can also be found in beef liver, eggs, fatty fish like salmon, and mushrooms.

Vitamin E

Helps to minimize inflammation by preventing oxidative stress. Found in almonds, eggs, nuts, leafy greens, and vegetable oils.

Vitamin K

Essential for blood clotting, which stops wounds from bleeding and encourages healing. Good sources include pumpkins, parsley, and figs.

How long do vitamins for hair take to work?

While we’d always encourage your vitamin intake to mainly come from foods, there’s no denying that supplements can play a very helpful role in gifting us the nutrients we need quickly.

When it comes to hair vitamins, such as biotin (Vitamin B7), the time it takes to notice improvements may be slow and gradual. On average, our hair takes about a month to grow half an inch, and while vitamin supplements can’t magically make the hair grow faster, they can offer other benefits. For example, keratin will strengthen the hair, make the scalp more functional with sebum production, and give the hair a shinier and healthier appearance.

If taken consistently on a daily basis, hair vitamins can produce visible results after about 12 weeks. Of course, results may vary from person to person, but overall, your hair will thank you for feeding it what it needs to thrive.

How long do vitamins for the skin take to work?

Vitamin supplements work hand in hand with the skin’s natural exfoliation process. Everyone’s skin goes through a program of skin cell turnover, which replaces old cells with new healthy ones. For the average adult, this usually takes between 27 and 40 days.

Vitamins will aid this cell turnover along and ensure the skin heals correctly. They will also boost the immune system, help produce collagen, and reduce the chances of skin inflammation in the future. Typically, skin vitamin supplements can take between 4-6 months to produce good results.

How long do vitamins for nails take to work?

Nails, much like hair, rely on keratin (Vitamin B7) to retain strength and good health. Weak nails that break easily, discoloration, and thick toenails can often be a sign you are deficient in Vitamin B7.

After consistent use, nail vitamins can be expected to show results for fingernails in about 4-6 months, however, this time period will be extended to about 9 months in regards to toenails, as they grow at a slower rate.

Conclusion

Vitamins are essential for the body to remain in great health. They are super important in helping our hair, nails, and skin carry out their natural functions, and everyone should pay special attention to their vitamin intake.

Supplementing vitamins can only be a decent alternative to a nutritious diet, but impressive results can still be achieved.