Does Nutrafol Work? The Science and What To Pair It With

If you’ve been researching solutions to thinning, shedding, or noticeable changes in hair density, you’ve likely stumbled upon Nutrafol. The popular hair wellness supplement has built a reputation for taking a multi-targeted approach to hair health.

So, does Nutrafol actually work, and is there anything else you can add to your routine to support healthier hair ? Nutrafol has clinical research supporting its benefits for hair growth and quality, and it may be possible to complement that approach with hair-growth peptides.

Here’s what the science says about Nutrafol, what it can and can’t do, and why peptides may be a complementary addition to your hair wellness routine.

Does Nutrafol Actually Work?

There’s meaningful evidence behind Nutrafol, but it’s important to understand what the research actually means. Nutrafol has conducted clinical studies on its finished formulations. The company reports more than 20 clinical studies, including randomized, placebo-controlled trials, evaluating different formulas and populations.

One randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated Nutrafol Women in women with self-perceived thinning hair. After six months, participants taking Nutrafol Women experienced a statistically significant increase in terminal and vellus hair counts in the target area versus placebo. Investigators also observed improvements in hair growth and overall hair quality.

More recent research has continued to examine Nutrafol’s effects. A 2024 clinical study of a vegan Nutrafol formulation found significant increases in total hair counts, as well as decreased shedding, after day 90 and 180 compared to baseline.

Nutrafol has also studied formulas specifically designed for women experiencing hormonal hair changes around menopause. In a six-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the Women’s Balance formula produced increases in terminal and total hair counts and a significant reduction in hair shedding compared with placebo.

In brief, there is clinical evidence suggesting that certain Nutrafol formulations can support hair growth, reduce shedding, and improve hair quality. That doesn’t mean Nutrafol is a universal solution for every type of hair loss. Hair thinning can have many causes , including genetics, hormonal changes, stress, nutritional deficiencies, and other underlying conditions. Nutrafol sometimes works best as part of a broader approach.

How Does Nutrafol Work?

One of Nutrafol’s defining characteristics is its multi-targeted approach. Rather than relying on a single ingredient, Nutrafol combines multiple standardized ingredients. Depending on the formula, this can include various vitamins, minerals, and botanical compounds such as palmetto, ashwagandha, curcumin, tocotrienols, and maca.

The idea is that hair thinning isn’t always caused by one isolated problem. Stress, nutrition, hormonal changes, and metabolic factors can all influence the hair growth cycle . Therefore, Nutrafol takes a whole-body hair wellness approach, providing nutrients and botanicals intended to support several biological pathways.

That multi-targeted strategy is one reason Nutrafol has become so popular, but there’s another piece of the equation worth considering: the structure and anchoring of the hair itself.

What Nutrafol Doesn’t Do

Even a well-designed hair supplement can’t address every biological factor involved in hair health. Hair growth depends on more than just the nutrients available to the body. The follicles and the structures surrounding the growing hair also play important roles in determining how long hair remains in the growth phase, how strongly it’s anchored, and how resilient the resulting strands can be.

This is where growth peptides can offer a complementary approach. Rather than thinking about peptides as a competitor to Nutrafol, think of them as another tool that supports a different part of the hair growth cycle.

What Are Hair Growth Peptides?

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that can play important roles in biological signaling and structural processes throughout the body. In hair, certain peptides are associated with the proteins that make up the hair fiber itself, including keratin.

At OMI, our formulas center around our patented IFP-131™ Hair Growth Peptides , which are clinically studied to support peptide production at the follicle, help anchor hair to the scalp, and strengthen the hair fiber from within. This is fundamentally different from simply adding more vitamins to your diet.

Our peptide-first approach is designed to support the structural side of hair health. In a 90-day placebo-controlled clinical study, women who used our peptide formula showed reduced hair shedding up to 47%, 18% stronger hair structure, and up to 10% more hairs in the growth phase.

Nutrafol vs. Hair Growth Peptides: What’s the Difference?

The easiest way to understand the difference between Nutrafol and hair growth peptides is to look at each product side by side and compare what they’re designed to support.

Nutrafol takes a whole-body approach to hair wellness. Its formula combines vitamins, minerals, botanicals, and other nutrients to target multiple factors associated with hair thinning, including nutritional, stress-related, metabolic, and hormonal influences. Its formulations are designed around the needs of different populations and life stages.

Hair growth peptides, on the other hand, take a more targeted, peptide-first approach. OMI patented IFP-131™ Hair Growth Peptides are clinically studied to support the hair follicle and hair structure, including keratin production and hair anchoring. Rather than focusing primarily on nutritional or whole-body factors, our technology is designed to support the relationship between the follicle and the growing hair itself.

In other words, Nutrafol supports the internal environment for healthy hair growth, while OMI peptides support the structural aspects of hair health. That doesn’t necessarily make one “better” than the other. In fact, their differences are what make them a potential duo.

Should You Take Nutrafol and OMI Together?

If you’re taking Nutrafol and want to add another hair wellness product, hair growth peptides are a complementary option to consider. The goal isn't to replace Nutrafol. Instead, the idea is to layer a peptide-focused approach alongside a whole-body hair wellness supplement.

Our IFP-131™ Hair Growth Peptides are available in targeted products designed to serve different wellness needs. For example, Harmonize is made for hormone-related thinning, while Nourish is tailored towards GLP-1-related hair shedding .

Complementary products like Nutrafol and OMI peptides can be a helpful strategy if you’re hoping to take a more comprehensive approach to hair wellness.

The Takeaway

Clinical evidence suggests that certain Nutrafol formulations can support hair growth, reduce shedding, and improve hair quality when taken consistently over several months. Nevertheless, healthy hair goes beyond nutrition alone.

For people looking to complement Nutrafol with another evidence-based approach, hair growth peptides like our IFP-131™ peptides at OMI can support keratin production and hair anchoring at the follicle. Ultimately, the best routine is the one that addresses your individual needs while supporting the biology of healthy hair from multiple angles.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Nutrafol take to work?

Nutrafol clinical studies generally evaluate its effects over several months. Some studies have reported measurable changes around 90 days, with additional improvements observed at six months.

What can I take with Nutrafol for hair growth?

Hair growth peptides may be a complementary option. At OMI, our IFP-131™ Hair Growth Peptides work through a different mechanism than Nutrafol, supporting the follicle, keratin production, and hair anchoring.

Is Nutrafol enough for hair thinning?

Nutrafol may be helpful for some people experiencing thinning or shedding, and several Nutrafol formulations have clinical evidence supporting improvements in hair growth and quality. That said, hair thinning can have many causes, so whether Nutrafol alone is enough for persistent or significant hair loss is worth discussing with a dermatologist or healthcare professional.