Despite limited data to support their use, the sale of hair, skin and nail (HSN) supplements has nearly doubled in recent years, say US researchers, whose recent study found that there can, in fact, be significant risk to users.
Among the potential dangers are that:
• Biotin, one of the most common supplements, can interfere with thyroid and cardiac function testing.
• Heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, mercury and cadmium, have been found in best-selling collagen supplements.
In addition, there are numerous safety concerns, including nutrient “overdosing”, lack of warning labels and quality issues. The use of health-related claims without adequate evidence, such as “promotes younger looking skin”, may also mislead consumers, their findings showed.
Among the 40 959 participants in their study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, the supplement users were also more often younger (20-39 years-old) and female.
One of the co-authors, Dr Rebecca Hartman, from the Department of Dermatology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, said the supplements were becoming increasingly popular, despite limited evidence and lack of regulatory oversight.
The team had examined characteristics and temporal trends of hair, skin and nail supplement use using 2011-2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data.
Their outcome of interest was past-month HSN supplement use, defined as past 30-day self-reported consumption of vitamins, minerals, herbals and other dietary supplements for “healthy skin, hair and nails”.
Participant socio-demographic characteristics were examined and those with missing data were excluded. Multivariable logistic regression was performed, and odds ratios were calculated to investigate associations between socio-demographic characteristics and HSN supplement use.
Of the participants, 3.9% reported past-month HSN supplement use Adjusted odds of HSN supplementation were significantly higher in 20-39- year-olds (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28-2.17) compared with those ≥65 years-old.
Females (aOR 3.14; 95% CI, 2.64-3.75) were more likely than males to report HSN supplement use, as were black (aOR 1.56; 95% CI, 1.26-1.93) and Hispanic/Latino individuals (aOR 1.31; 95% CI, 1.09-1.58) compared to non-Hispanic white individuals.
Individuals with more than high school education (aOR 1.30; 95% CI, 1.05-1.61) were more likely to report HSN supplement use than those who did not finish high school.
The trend showed increasing HSN supplementation, nearly doubling from 2011-2012 to 2017-2020. This finding parallels projected global beauty supplement market growth from $3.5bn in 2016 to $6.8bn in 2024, said the team, adding that promotion by celebrities and social media influencers may be contributors to to this rise.
Biotin, one of the most common HSN supplements, can interfere with thyroid and cardiac function testing, prompting a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning, they added.
“The use of health-related claims without adequate evidence, such as ‘promotes younger looking skin’, may also mislead consumers.”
Study limitations included the use of self-reported data and inability to examine specific supplements and reason for use (e.g. hair loss).
As HSN supplementation has increased and may carry associated risks, dermatologists should recognise risk factors for HSN supplement use and advise on potential risks and benefits, they added.
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Skin-lightening cream puts woman in a coma
Uterine cancer risk linked to hair-straightening products – US study
UK launches probe into nail gel allergic reactions
Use of permanent hair dye and cancer risk