Not that long ago, people started using retinol creams to treat acne. In recent years, retinol has also become part of many popular anti-aging creams. But some people are now reporting that the use of these creams can cause excessive hair loss. So, does retinol cause hair loss?
What Is Retinol?
Retinol is another name for vitamin A, an essential vitamin that’s important for your overall health. This vitamin is a very potent antioxidant that helps your body ward off the harmful free radicals. It also helps cell division and regeneration.
But vitamin A is important for your hair health, too. For one, it helps the scalp repair itself after sustaining environmental or chemical damage. Moreover, it helps keep your scalp moist and healthy.
Does Retinol Cause Hair Loss?
In theory, retinol shouldn’t have a negative effect on your hair. But as with all other vitamins, overdosing on vitamin A can lead to some unwanted side effects. Hair loss is sometimes one of them.
In normal amounts, vitamin A helps maintain the regular hair growth cycle. But when there’s too much of it, it can overstimulate the follicles. This, in turn, will speed up the growth cycle and cause hair to grow and fall out at a rapid pace. If your body can’t grow new hair at the same speed, your hair might start thinning out.
So, does retinol cause hair loss? It can, but only if you use too much of it. According to the NHS, your total daily intake of vitamin A shouldn’t exceed 1.5mg. This includes the amount you get from food, as well as other non-dietary sources.
Final Word
If retinol creams seem to be working for you, you don’t need to ditch them completely. Some creams aren’t designed for daily use, so you might try applying them less often. Whatever you do, make sure to always read the label first. If needed, adjust your diet too, so that you don’t go over the recommended daily limit of vitamin A.
