Since vitamin D can reduce inflammation and boost the immune system, studies suggest it may also benefit hair and skin health. Many brands add vitamin D to creams, lotions, and shampoos, along with other vitamins. Some people take vitamin D supplements, while others notice beneficial effects from sun exposure. Read on to find out if the research backs them up.

Vitamin D for skin and hair

• Reduces inflammation (strong evidence)
• May improve eczema and psoriasis (limited evidence)
• May reduce hair loss (limited evidence)
• Early research suggests a role in wound healing (low evidence)

The body naturally produces it when exposed to sunlight. Regular, moderate sun exposure during the summer months is a safe way to maintain normal levels.

It is also found in certain foods, such as fatty fish like salmon and sardines, and there are many vitamin D supplements on the market.

Vitamin D supplements are considered safe when taken in recommended doses. However, taking too much can be harmful. Vitamin D supplements may also interact with prescription medications. Remember to talk to your doctor before supplementing!

Vitamin D helps reduce inflammation in the body. Maintaining healthy levels may help support healthy skin and hair. Make sure you get enough of this vitamin through sun exposure and food.

CDoes it Improve Skin Problems?

Vitamin D levels and skin diseases

A recent scientific review highlights the role it in skin health. In the review, which was targeted at dermatologists, scientists state that maintaining normal blood levels of vitamin D is important for people with the following skin conditions:

• eczema
• psoriasis
• Vitiligo
• Polymorphous light eruption (a rash caused by sunlight)
• Mycosis fungoides (lymphoma of the skin)
• Alopecia areata (autoimmune hair loss)
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Melanoma (a type of cancer)

Nonetheless, further large-scale studies are needed to determine the benefits of monitoring vitamin D levels in patients with different skin conditions.

Some scientists believe that people with skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and hair loss need to be monitored to make sure they are not deficient in vitamin D. More evidence is needed to support this practice.

May Help Psoriasis

According to some studies, vitamin D levels are significantly lower in people with psoriasis, an autoimmune disease.

This vitamin may be important for psoriasis because it regulates the production of skin keratinocytes and immune cells. Scientists believe that psoriasis begins when overactive keratinocytes trigger an autoimmune response. Each time this reaction occurs, people with psoriasis may experience a flare-up.

In a pilot study, high-dose vitamin D of 35,000 IU per day was safe and effective for people with psoriasis. However, this study included only 25 patients. High-quality, large-scale studies are needed to replicate these findings before we can draw any conclusions from them.

Creams and lotions containing synthetic vitamin D analogs (calcipotriol and/or tacalcitol) are considered first-line treatments for mild to moderate psoriasis. In more severe cases of disease, these treatments are sometimes combined with other systemic therapies.

It is important to remember that research suggests topical applications are beneficial, but data on oral supplements are mixed.

Creams containing vitamin D analogs may improve psoriasis symptoms. There is no solid evidence to support oral supplementation, although it shows some promise. More research is needed.

May Improve Eczema

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) affects up to 20% of children and up to 3% of adults.

Studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency is associated with atopic dermatitis. However, there is a lack of data to show whether vitamin D deficiency causes psoriasis or increases the risk of this disease.

Some scientists believe that this vitamin supplementation may improve disease symptoms and severity. It is also considered a safe and well-tolerated therapy when used at recommended doses.

In cell-based studies, it increased the production of antimicrobial peptides, antimicrobial agents that are deficient in atopic dermatitis. More research is needed to explore its mechanism of action and efficacy.

According to limited research, people with eczema are often deficient in vitamin D. Vitamin D supplementation may improve some symptoms .

Effects on acne

In people with acne, inflammation is the result of an immune response to bacteria in the skin: P. acnes. As one study, P. acnes activated Th17 cells, and it blocked this response. In studies of skin cells, it also reduced inflammation. Based on these mechanisms, scientists have concluded that it may have promise in fighting acne. Further research is needed.

Role in wound healing

A cell-based study showed that it increases the activity of an antimicrobial skin protein called cathelicidin. This protein appears to balance skin immunity by promoting wound healing and tissue repair.

In one human study, cathelicidin expression increased during the early stages of normal wound healing. Other studies have shown that cathelicidin helps regenerate and strengthen the skin barrier, increasing so-called reepithelization.

However, more research is needed to determine whether it, either as an oral supplement or in creams and other topical preparations, affects wound healing.

Despite some promising findings, the effects of vitamin D on acne and wound healing are still uncertain.

Can it Boost Hair Strength?

Effects on hair loss

Studies have shown that it receptors play an important role in hair loss.

Scientists believe that it receptor function is essential for maintaining a normal hair cycle . Animal and cell-based studies have shown that defective vitamin D receptor function may lead to defective and lost hair follicle growth.

Additionally, limited research has linked hair loss in both men and women to reduced blood levels of vitamin D. In some studies, lower blood levels have been associate with more severe hair loss.

Based on this, some scientists advocate screening patients with hair loss for this deficiency. They believe that these patients may benefit from supplementation, which shows promise in helping hair regrowth.

Although the findings give many people hope, it’s too early to say whether it can help regrow hair in people who are deficient in the vitamin.

Vitamin D can support normal hair growth. Limited evidence suggests that deficiency is associated with hair loss, although the benefits of supplementation have not been established.

Summarize

Normal blood levels of vitamin D help balance the skin’s immune response. Some researchers believe that people with higher levels — such as those who get a lot of natural sunlight and eat a lot of oily fish — have better protection against autoimmune and inflammatory skin diseases, as well as hair loss. Studies show that vitamin D deficiency is more common in people with eczema and psoriasis. Limited research suggests that people with skin conditions tend to be deficient in vitamin D and may benefit from supplements. Research is also currently looking at the effects of this vitamin on acne and wound healing. However, in most cases, solid evidence to support vitamin D supplementation is lacking. Topical creams prescribed by a doctor may benefit people with psoriasis.