Análise de rótulos de suplementos disponíveis no e-commerce brasileiro para saúde capilar

Abstract

The hair follicle depends on micronutrientes such as vitamin A, C, B7 (biotin), zinc, iron and selenium to sustain hair growth and integrity throughout the hair cycle. Deficiencies or excesses of these micronutrientes can alter the cycle, leading to alopecia. Excessive consumption of vitamin A and selenium, as well as inadequate intake of biotin, vitamin C, iron, and zinc, are associated with toxicity and hair loss. Given this, the presente study aimed to analyze the labeling of the best selling hair health supplements available on Amazon. For this analysis, a product search was conducted using key terms between January 16 and February 9, 2025: hair loss supplements; hair health supplements; hair growth supplements; and alopecia supplements. Products that met the following criteria were included: those making claims related to the hair cycle, that had a nutritional table available in the product link, that were oral supplements, and were among the 10 most sold items. A total of 14 supplements were selected. Duplicates and products that did not meet the inclusion criteria were excluded. Among the analyzed products, there was significant variation in formulations: some supplements contained doses below recommendations, while others exceeded safe limits, especially for certain nutrientes. Considering that diet provides micronutrients significantly, it is essential to assess the necessity of prescribing hair health supplements, as the lack of standardization in formulations could independently contribute to toxicity events and, consequently, alopecia.