Use of Vitamins and Minerals in the Treatment of Hair Loss: A Cross-Sectional Survey Among Dermatologists in Saudi Arabia

In 2012, a survey of 177 dermatologists at a conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a response rate of 81%, revealed that 60% recommended vitamins and minerals for hair loss treatment, particularly for acute telogen effluvium. While 72% reported good knowledge of supplement toxicity, the use of vitamins and minerals was based more on personal experience than strong evidence, except for iron and zinc. Iron was prescribed for telogen effluvium and sometimes for androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata, with some evidence of low iron stores being linked to hair loss. Zinc's efficacy was inconsistent, especially for alopecia areata. Vitamin D and biotin were less commonly used due to limited evidence. The survey indicated a need for more evidence-based practice and research into the efficacy and safety of these treatments.