Niacin - essential vitamin that no one heard about.
Niacin is a star ingredient in our Scalp Serum formula. Don’t be surprised if you’ve never heard of it as a hair growth aid - it is a secret weapon that has been, well, kept in secret. But before we talk about why Niacin is amazing for hair growth, let’s do a quick overview of what it actually is.
The name “niacin” was derived from the phrase “nicotinic acid + vitamin.” It actually refers to a family of organic compounds that all possess the same biochemical activity. Other names for Niacin include Vitamin B3, Vitamin PP, nicotinic acid and nicotinamide.
Niacin is a water-soluble vitamin and member of the B-vitamin family. Overall, B vitamins are famous for having positive effects on the nervous system and in activating energy reserves in the body. Every B vitamin, including Biotin or Folic acid, serves its own specific purpose, and Niacin is no exception. Niacin’s specialty lies in releasing energy from the metabolism of glucose, fat and alcohol.
Niacin can be found in a variety of foods, including fish, lean red meat, shrimps, beans, almonds, and carrots among others.
Why is Niacin good for hair?
Niacin increases and promotes hair growth in several interesting ways.
Perhaps the most significant way in which Niacin helps with hair growth is by improving blood circulation and nutrient flow in hair follicles. When applied topically, Niacin causes blood vessels near the skin to open up, with the application zone feeling warm and tingly for a couple of minutes (called “Niacin flush”). Poor blood circulation is a huge factor in hair thinning and hair loss. Thus, by promoting the blood circulation to the scalp, Niacin helps bring additional oxygen and nutrients to hair follicles and aid in faster and thicker hair growth.
Niacin also facilitates the removal of waste products from skin. This means that Niacin creates a double advantage by bringing in good nutrients, and taking out bad waste products. A Recent study of topical Niacin application demonstrated a significant increase in hair growth, highlighting the benefits of niacin in promoting thick, full hair for women experiencing hair loss.
All in all, Niacin promotes your own body to start growing healthier hair, which is a pretty neat concept if you think about it. For those concerned about product buildup, and additional chemicals in their hair routine - using Niacin rich products (like our Scalp Serum) is a perfect balance between effectiveness and clean beauty.
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