TLDR Vitamin D is important for skin health and may affect conditions like psoriasis and hair loss, but more research is needed to understand its role fully.
The 2015 review highlights the multifaceted role of vitamin D in skin health, including its importance in immune function, hair follicle cycling, sebaceous gland function, and protection against UV damage. It suggests that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to skin diseases such as psoriasis, acne, rosacea, and various forms of alopecia, and that vitamin D receptors are crucial for hair cycle regulation. While vitamin D analogs are used in treating conditions like psoriasis and vitiligo, the review acknowledges that the evidence linking vitamin D to the prevention of skin cancer and the treatment of hair loss is not conclusive. It emphasizes the need for further research to fully understand the relationship between vitamin D and skin disorders and to develop clear supplementation guidelines. The review also notes that maintaining an optimal 25-hydroxyvitamin D level of 75 nmol/L or higher is suggested for overall health and skin function.
62 citations,
January 2013 in “Skin Pharmacology and Physiology” Low iron and vitamin D levels are linked to hair loss in women.
185 citations,
December 2011 in “Molecular and cellular endocrinology” Skin cells produce and activate vitamin D, which regulates skin functions and supports hair growth.
53 citations,
May 2010 in “Journal of Cellular Physiology” Mice without Vitamin D receptors have hair growth problems because of issues in the hedgehog signaling pathway.
19 citations,
December 2008 in “Medical Journal of Australia” Baldness does not affect vitamin D levels in men.
97 citations,
September 2006 in “Pharmaceutical Research” No treatment fully prevents hair loss from chemotherapy yet.
81 citations,
January 2006 in “Journal of cellular physiology” Mice without the vitamin D receptor gene lose hair due to disrupted hair follicle cycles.
180 citations,
January 2002 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” Vitamin D Receptor is crucial for normal skin and hair growth.
January 2011 in “Springer eBooks” Eating a balanced diet with the right vitamins and minerals is important for healthy hair, but too many supplements can be harmful.
Skin stem cells are crucial for maintaining and repairing skin, with potential for treating skin disorders and improving wound healing.
1 citations,
September 2013 in “Elsevier eBooks” Hair ages and thins due to factors like inflammation and stress, and treatments like antioxidants and hormones might improve hair health.
11 citations,
November 2021 in “JBMR plus” The vitamin D receptor can act without its usual activating molecule, affecting hair growth and skin cancer, but its full range of actions is not well understood.
109 citations,
October 2007 in “Journal of pineal research” Melatonin helps regulate hair growth and protects the hair follicle from stress.
