Hair-Care

Healthy hair is grown from the inside, then protected from the outside.

Hair grows in cycles: anagen (growth, 2 to 7 years), catagen (transition), and telogen (rest and shed). At any moment, about 85 percent of your hair is in anagen. Stress, illness, post-pregnancy hormone shifts, crash diets, thyroid issues, and iron or protein shortfalls push more follicles into telogen at once. Three months later, that shows up as a sudden shed in the shower.

Supplements work on the follicle while it is still growing. They cannot resurrect a follicle that has already shed; they can only support the next cycle. That is why hair products take 3 to 6 months to show, and why an inside-out approach (nutrition first, topicals second) outperforms a topical-only routine almost every time. SA water hardness and heat-styling habits add a second layer worth thinking about.

What is actually happening

The Growth Cycle Sets The Ceiling
A long anagen phase means more growth before a hair sheds. Genetics set the ceiling, but nutrition, stress, and hormones decide how close you get to it.
Hair Is Protein, Built From Amino Acids
Keratin is the structural protein of hair. Without enough dietary protein, biotin, zinc, and the amino acid L-lysine, the building blocks run short before the follicle does.
Iron And Ferritin Drive Shedding
Low ferritin (your iron store) is one of the most-missed causes of diffuse shedding in women. Hair sheds before bloodwork tips into full anaemia, so test ferritin specifically.
South African Water Is Hard On Hair
Hard water mineral build-up and chlorinated municipal water dull the cuticle and worsen breakage. Filtered shower water and oil-based protectants help the outside while supplements help the inside.

How we think about it

STEP 1

Foundation, daily

A daily protein and micronutrient base: marine collagen and biotin, plus a balanced multi or specific hair vitamin. The non-negotiable starting point for at least 3 months.

STEP 2

Build, after 8 to 12 weeks

Add targeted nutrients based on your pattern. L-lysine for breakage, extra zinc for shedding, or a hair-specific gummy stack. Check ferritin and vitamin D bloods and fix what is low.

STEP 3

Topical, alongside

Use a nourishing oil like batana or castor oil 1 to 3 times a week, focused on the scalp and ends. Pair with gentle, sulphate-free wash days and less heat.

Our top picks for this concern

Curated by what works, ranked by what sells. The handful we reach for first.

Nutrigums Hair Vits Gummies 60s

R279.00

A daily hair-specific gummy with biotin and supporting nutrients. Easy to stay consistent with, which matters more than any single ingredient when growth takes months.
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Viridian L-Lysin 500mg 30 capsules

R167.00

L-lysine is an essential amino acid for keratin and collagen synthesis. Add it when breakage or thinning is the main concern, not slow growth.
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Angelycia Organic Batana Oil 112ml

R669.00

Batana oil is rich in fatty acids and vitamin E for scalp conditioning, breakage reduction, and shine. The topical layer of an inside-out routine.
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Herbatint Permanent Colour - 7N Blonde

R219.00

An ammonia-free permanent colour formulated to be gentler on the hair shaft and scalp. A better-built colour reduces the cumulative damage that worsens breakage.
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Herbatint Permanent Colour- 4C Ash Chestnut

R249.00

Same Herbatint formulation in a cool brunette tone. Choose your shade and treat colour as part of the long-term hair health picture, not against it.
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Herbatint

Herbatint Permanent Colour - 7N Blonde

~~R 249.00~~R 219.00

Herbatint Permanent Colour - 7N Blonde is a natural, ammonia-free hair dye designed for long-lasting coverage. It contains a minimum level of PPDs and includes plant extracts like Aloe Vera...

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Angelycia

Angelycia Organic Batana Oil 112ml

~~R 799.00~~R 669.00

100% raw, unrefined batana oil sourced from Honduras, rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins. Deeply nourishes hair and skin , helping strengthen strands, reduce breakage, and enhance moisture and...

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Wellnesstree

Nutrigums Hair Vits Gummies 60s

~~R 329.00~~R 279.00

Vegan cherry-flavoured gummies with 12 essential vitamins and minerals including Biotin, A, C, D, E, B vitamins, zinc and iodine. Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair and skin,...

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Viridian

Viridian L-Lysin 500mg 30 capsules

R 167.00

Essential Amino Acid : L-Lysine supports immune function and helps manage cold sores and herpes. Vegan-Friendly : The supplement is made from vegan sources and is free from animal products....

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Herbatint

Herbatint Permanent Colour- 4C Ash Chestnut

R 249.00

Herbatint Permanent Colour- 4C Ash Chestnut is a natural, ammonia-free hair dye designed for long-lasting coverage. It contains a minimum level of PPDs and includes plant extracts like Aloe Vera...

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Build your stack

Three tiers, not 12. Start with one, add the next when you are ready.

1
FOUNDATION
Daily hair vitamin

Nutrigums covers biotin, zinc, and the basics in a form that's easy to stick to for the full 3 to 6 months a hair cycle needs.
Nutrigums Hair Vits Gummies 60s R279.00 View →
2
BUILD
Targeted amino acid

Add L-lysine if you're seeing breakage, brittle ends, or a slow-growing rate. It supports keratin and collagen at the structural level.
Viridian L-Lysin 500mg 30 capsules R167.00 View →
3
TOPICAL
Scalp and length conditioning

Batana oil 1 to 3 times a week feeds the scalp microbiome and protects the cuticle. The outside-in complement to the inside-out work.
Angelycia Organic Batana Oil 112ml R669.00 View →

Common questions

How long until I see a difference?

Hair grows roughly 1 to 1.5 cm a month, and the supplement supports the follicle while it's already in the growth phase. Most people notice texture and shed-rate change at 8 to 12 weeks, with visible new growth at 4 to 6 months. Stick with it.

Why am I shedding suddenly months after a stressful event?

That's classic telogen effluvium. A stressor (illness, surgery, postpartum, crash diet, big life event) pushes follicles into rest, and they shed about 3 months later. It typically self-corrects in 6 to 9 months with good nutrition.

Should I take biotin if my levels are normal?

Biotin deficiency is rare. Mega-dosing biotin doesn't grow more hair, but a moderate dose (around 1000 to 5000 mcg) as part of a hair stack is reasonable. Note: high-dose biotin can interfere with thyroid blood tests, so stop it 3 to 7 days before testing.

Should I test anything before I start?

For sudden or stubborn shedding, ask your GP for ferritin, full thyroid panel (TSH, free T4, free T3, TPO antibodies), vitamin D, B12, and zinc. Fixing a deficiency does more than any supplement stack.

Will collagen help my hair?

Marine collagen provides amino acids (especially glycine and proline) that support keratin synthesis. It's a useful base for hair, skin, and nails. The effect is more about supplying raw materials than triggering growth specifically.

When should I see a trichologist or dermatologist?

If you have a visibly widening parting, patchy hair loss, scalp pain or burning, sudden eyebrow loss, or shedding that's lasted more than 9 months without improvement. Conditions like androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, and scarring alopecia need medical, not supplemental, treatment.

What pairs well with a hair stack?

Omega 3 for scalp inflammation and shine, vitamin D for follicle cycling, and stress support (magnesium, ashwagandha) since chronic stress is one of the biggest hidden drivers of shedding.

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Hair-Care

What is actually happening

The Growth Cycle Sets The Ceiling

Hair Is Protein, Built From Amino Acids

Iron And Ferritin Drive Shedding

South African Water Is Hard On Hair