Estimated reading time: 8–10 minutes
When we think about healthy hair, it's easy to focus on what we put on it. Shampoos, conditioners, serums and styling products all play an important role in protecting the hair we already have. But healthy hair begins long before it reaches the surface of the scalp.
Every strand of hair starts its journey beneath the skin, where it is influenced by the nutrients your body receives, your overall health and the condition of your scalp. In other words, the hair you see today is the result of the choices your body has been making for weeks—and often months.
At Laura Simmons, we believe healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. But a healthy scalp doesn't exist in isolation. It's influenced by your overall health, your lifestyle and the nutrients your body receives every day.
While no single food or supplement can transform your hair overnight, providing your body with the nutrients it needs can help support normal hair health as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
Why Nutrition Matters for Healthy Hair
For many of us, our hair is closely connected to our confidence, identity and sense of self. That's one of the reasons changes to our hair can have such a profound effect on how we feel.
Yet despite how important our hair is to us, our bodies don't see it the same way.
Although hair is incredibly important to us, biologically it isn't one of the body's top priorities.
Your body is remarkably efficient. Every day, it prioritises nutrients for the organs and systems that are essential for survival, such as your brain, heart, lungs and immune system. Hair, although emotionally and cosmetically important, isn't considered essential for survival.
This means that when your body is under pressure—whether through illness, stress, hormonal changes, restrictive dieting or poor nutrition—it may divert nutrients away from hair production in favour of supporting more vital functions.
As a result, your hair can often become one of the first places where changes begin to show.
You might notice:
- Increased hair shedding.
- Hair that feels finer or less full.
- Increased breakage.
- Hair that appears dull or lacks vitality.
- Hair that takes longer to recover following periods of stress or illness.
These changes don't necessarily mean you're lacking one specific vitamin. Instead, they often reflect the complex relationship between nutrition, overall health, hormones, lifestyle and the natural hair growth cycle.
How Hair Grows – And Why It Reflects Your Health
One of the biggest misconceptions about hair health is expecting immediate results.
Hair grows in cycles rather than continuously. Each individual hair follicle moves through three main stages.
Anagen – The Growth Phase
This is the active growing stage and can last anywhere from two to seven years. Around 85–90% of your hairs are usually in this phase at any one time.
Catagen – The Transition Phase
A short stage lasting just a few weeks, where the hair follicle gradually shrinks and prepares for its resting phase.
Telogen – The Resting Phase
During this stage, the hair rests before naturally shedding, making way for a new hair to begin growing from the same follicle.
Because of this natural cycle, changes in nutrition, illness, stress or hormonal shifts often don't become visible for several weeks—or even months.
Likewise, improving your nutrition today doesn't instantly change the hair you already have. Instead, it supports the healthy hair your body will produce in the future.
This is why consistency matters. Healthy hair is built over time, not overnight.
Healthy Hair Is Never About Just One Thing
Biotin often receives most of the attention when people talk about hair supplements, but healthy hair depends on far more than one vitamin.
Hair itself is primarily made from keratin, a structural protein. To produce keratin efficiently, your body requires adequate protein, vitamins, minerals and energy from a balanced diet.
Think of it like building a house.
Protein provides the bricks.
Vitamins and minerals provide the tools.
Your scalp provides the foundations.
Without strong foundations, it's much harder to build something that lasts.
Healthy hair is influenced by the health of your scalp, the nutrients available to your body, your genetics, hormones, lifestyle and your overall wellbeing. Each of these factors works together to create the best possible environment for healthy hair.
That's why focusing on just one nutrient rarely tells the whole story.
The Nutrients That Support Healthy Hair
No single nutrient is responsible for healthy hair. Instead, your body relies on a combination of vitamins, minerals, protein and healthy fats to support normal hair and scalp health.
Protein
Hair is made primarily from keratin, a protein produced within the hair follicle. Without adequate protein in your diet, your body may prioritise other essential functions before supporting hair production.
Including good-quality protein sources as part of a balanced diet provides the amino acids your body needs to produce healthy hair.
Biotin (Vitamin B7)
Biotin is one of the best-known nutrients associated with healthy hair.
It has an authorised UK health claim stating that biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair and skin.
While biotin doesn't make hair grow faster, it helps support normal hair health and may be particularly important for people with low biotin intake or certain nutritional deficiencies.
Iron
Iron contributes to the normal formation of red blood cells and haemoglobin, helping transport oxygen throughout the body, including to rapidly dividing cells such as those found within the hair follicle.
Low iron stores have been associated with certain types of hair shedding, particularly in women. If you suspect low iron levels, it's important to speak with your GP before taking supplements, as excessive iron intake can also be harmful.
Zinc
Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal hair, skin and nails and supports many of the body's normal biological processes involved in cell growth and repair.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system and helps maintain normal bones, teeth and muscle function.
Researchers continue to investigate the relationship between vitamin D and hair health, although more evidence is needed to fully understand this connection.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation, helps increase iron absorption from food and contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
Essential Fatty Acids
Healthy fats help support the skin's natural barrier, including the scalp.
Although research into their direct effect on hair continues, essential fatty acids remain an important part of a balanced diet and overall skin health.
Other B Vitamins
B vitamins work together to support normal energy-yielding metabolism and many everyday processes within the body.
Rather than acting alone, they work as part of a team to support overall wellbeing, which is one reason they are often included together in nutritional supplements.
Healthy hair is rarely the result of one single nutrient. Instead, it's supported by a combination of good nutrition, overall health, consistent lifestyle habits and a healthy scalp.
Understanding how these nutrients work together provides the foundation for making informed choices about your hair. Whether that means focusing on your diet, reviewing your lifestyle or considering additional nutritional support, healthy hair is always about looking at the bigger picture—not searching for a single solution.
Can Supplements Support Healthy Hair?
Food should always be the foundation of good nutrition.
A varied, balanced diet provides your body with the vitamins, minerals, protein and healthy fats it needs to function at its best—including supporting normal hair and scalp health.
But life isn't always perfect.
Busy lifestyles, periods of stress, changing nutritional needs, restrictive diets and certain health conditions can all make it more challenging to consistently obtain every nutrient your body needs.
This doesn't automatically mean everyone needs a supplement. However, for some people, nutritional supplements can provide additional support alongside a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
The important thing to remember is that supplements are exactly that—a supplement to your diet, not a replacement for it.
Like healthy hair itself, nutritional support is about consistency rather than quick fixes.
The Thinking Behind Our Hair Gummies
When I created the Laura Simmons Hair Gummies, my goal wasn't simply to launch another hair supplement.
After almost 30 years caring for people's hair, I've seen first-hand how emotionally challenging hair changes can be. I've also seen how confusing the supplement industry has become, with exaggerated claims, unnecessarily high doses and products that promise far more than they can realistically deliver.
I wanted to create something different.
Something honest.
Something that reflected the same philosophy as the rest of the Laura Simmons range.
Rather than chasing trends, I focused on creating a carefully considered formula using vitamins that play recognised roles within the body and complement a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
Just as importantly, I wanted to create something people would genuinely enjoy taking every day, because healthy habits are far easier to maintain when they become part of your routine rather than another task on your to-do list.
Even the most thoughtfully formulated supplement can't become part of your routine if it sits forgotten at the back of a cupboard.
A Thoughtfully Chosen Formula
Every ingredient in our Hair Gummies has been chosen for a reason.
Rather than adding ingredients simply because they're popular, we've selected vitamins that complement one another and support overall wellbeing alongside normal hair and skin health.
Biotin (Vitamin B7)
Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair and skin, making it one of the few nutrients with an authorised UK health claim relating to hair.
Each daily serving provides 2,000 micrograms of biotin, a level commonly found in hair supplements and suitable for daily use by most healthy adults.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation, helps increase iron absorption and contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system and helps maintain normal bones, teeth and muscle function.
Research continues to explore its relationship with hair health, although more evidence is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.
Vitamins B5, B6, B12 and Folic Acid
These B vitamins contribute to normal energy-yielding metabolism and support many of the body's everyday biological processes.
Rather than working independently, they work together to support overall wellbeing.
Vitamins A and E
Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal skin, while Vitamin E contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
Together, they help support healthy skin, including the scalp.
Vitamin K
Although Vitamin K isn't specifically associated with hair health, it complements the overall nutritional profile of the formula and contributes to normal blood clotting and the maintenance of normal bones.
Transparency Matters
One of the values at the heart of Laura Simmons is transparency.
That doesn't just apply to the active ingredients—it applies to every ingredient in the product.
Like all gummies, our Hair Gummies contain ingredients that provide structure, flavour and stability.
We use small amounts of sugar and glucose syrup to create a pleasant taste and texture, with approximately 15 calories per gummy.
Natural raspberry flavour gives the gummies their subtle fruity taste, making them enjoyable to take every day.
Every other ingredient has been carefully selected to help maintain the quality, consistency and shelf life of the product.
As our formulations continue to evolve, we remain committed to reviewing every ingredient to ensure it continues to meet our standards for quality, safety and transparency.
Quality Without Compromise
Quality has always been one of my priorities.
Our Hair Gummies are manufactured in GMP-certified UK facilities, where every stage of production follows strict quality standards for food supplements.
They are also:
- Suitable for vegans.
- Never tested on animals.
- Manufactured using carefully selected ingredients.
- Produced in accordance with UK food supplement regulations.
Because when it comes to supporting your hair and scalp, quality should never be an afterthought.
Honest Advice Matters Too
I believe that responsible education is just as important as creating good products.
That's why I also want people to understand that high-dose biotin supplements can interfere with certain laboratory blood tests, including some used to assess thyroid and heart health.
Although this doesn't affect the safety of biotin itself, it can affect the accuracy of some blood test results.
If you're due to have blood tests, always let your healthcare professional know you're taking a supplement containing biotin. They may advise stopping it for around 48–72 hours beforehand, depending on the test being carried out.
Providing honest information like this is part of my commitment to helping people make informed choices about their health—not simply selling a product.
When Hair Changes May Need Medical Advice
While nutrition plays an important role in supporting healthy hair, it's important to remember that not every hair concern is caused by diet alone.
Hair is often a reflection of what's happening inside the body, and changes in your hair can sometimes be one of the first signs that something else needs attention.
Persistent or sudden hair shedding, noticeable thinning or changes in hair quality can occasionally be linked to:
- Iron deficiency or other nutritional deficiencies.
- Hormonal changes, including menopause or postpartum hair shedding.
- Thyroid disorders.
- Significant physical or emotional stress.
- Illness, surgery or certain medications.
- Medical conditions that affect the scalp or hair follicles.
If you've noticed excessive shedding, bald patches, ongoing thinning or changes that don't seem to improve over time, it's always worth speaking with your GP or another qualified healthcare professional. They can help identify whether further investigation or blood tests may be appropriate.
You may also benefit from consulting a qualified trichologist. Trichologists specialise in the health of the hair and scalp and can assess factors such as your scalp condition, hair growth patterns, lifestyle and nutritional influences.
A qualified trichologist can also work alongside your GP or other healthcare professionals where appropriate, helping to build a clearer picture of what may be contributing to your hair concerns and advising on the most suitable course of action.
Understanding the underlying cause is often the first step towards finding the right solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can nutrition really affect my hair?
Yes.
Hair is produced by rapidly dividing cells within the hair follicle, and those cells rely on a steady supply of nutrients to function normally. While nutrition isn't the only factor that influences hair health, a balanced diet provides the building blocks your body needs to produce healthy hair.
How long does it take to notice a difference?
Hair grows slowly, so changes in nutrition aren't reflected immediately.
Because hair grows in cycles, improvements generally take several months rather than weeks. Consistency is far more important than expecting quick results.
Can a supplement replace a healthy diet?
No.
Food should always be your primary source of nutrition. Supplements are designed to complement a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle—not replace them.
Are Hair Gummies suitable for everyone?
Most healthy adults can include Hair Gummies as part of their daily routine.
However, if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, under the age of 18 or have a medical condition, it's always advisable to speak with your GP or another healthcare professional before taking any food supplement.
Should I take Hair Gummies forever?
Not necessarily.
Some people choose to include supplements as part of their long-term wellness routine, while others use them during periods when they're paying closer attention to their nutrition or hair health.
The most important thing is that any supplement complements a healthy lifestyle rather than replacing it.
Our Philosophy
At Laura Simmons, we believe healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp.
Healthy hair begins long before you see it in the mirror. It starts with caring for your body, supporting your scalp and giving your hair the best possible environment to thrive.
Nutrition provides the building blocks your body needs to produce healthy hair.
A healthy scalp provides the environment where that hair can grow.
Gentle haircare helps protect both your scalp and the hair you already have.
Each of these elements works together, and none should be viewed in isolation.
Our goal has never been to promise quick fixes or miracle ingredients. Instead, we want to help you better understand your hair and scalp so you can make informed choices with confidence.
Whether that's through education, carefully developed products or honest advice, everything we create is built around one simple belief:
Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp.
Final Thoughts
Healthy hair is influenced by many different factors, including nutrition, hormones, genetics, lifestyle and the condition of your scalp.
No single vitamin, food or supplement can guarantee healthier hair on its own. Instead, long-term hair health comes from supporting your body consistently, nourishing your scalp and creating the best possible environment for healthy hair to grow.
Small, consistent habits often have the greatest impact over time.
Whether you're just beginning your hair health journey or looking to better understand the changes you're experiencing, remember that healthy hair is never about just one thing. It's about understanding your body, caring for your scalp and giving your hair the support it needs to thrive.
Healthy Hair Starts with a Healthy Scalp
At Laura Simmons, we're passionate about helping you understand the connection between scalp health, haircare, nutrition and overall wellbeing.
Our Journal is here to provide honest, evidence-informed education, empowering you to make confident decisions about your hair and scalp. Alongside our thoughtfully developed products, our aim is to support you with practical advice that fits into everyday life.
Healthy hair isn't created overnight. It's nurtured through knowledge, consistency and understanding what your hair and scalp truly need.