MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is a sulfur-rich compound that occurs naturally in fruits, vegetables, grains, and beverages such as tea, coffee, and cow’s milk. MSM has become a popular supplement for its anti-inflammatory properties which can aid in treating arthritis, joint pain, skin problems, gastrointestinal problems, and other inflammatory conditions that cause hair loss.
MSM is known by a few other names: methyl sulfone, DMSO2, dimethyl sulfone, organic sulfide, and dimethyl crystalline dimethyl sulfoxide. It is used in different industries, including health and wellness, beauty, pharmaceuticals, and food.
While MSM has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there is substantial evidence that it can be used to treat pain and allergies. According to some studies, MSM significantly reduces inflammation in the body, particularly in the scalp and hair follicles which can cause dandruff, itchiness, and other conditions resulting in hair loss or stunted hair growth. MSM may help relieve scalp irritation and promote healthy hair growth.
Here, I’ll review how to use MSM powder for hair growth and also provide which MSM supplement brands offer the best MSM powder for hair growth.
MSM Powder For Hair Growth
When it comes to vitamins and nutrients for your hair, the best source is the food you eat. However, it is challenging to meet the daily recommended dose without consuming excessive amounts. As a result, taking MSM as a supplement may help you get the recommended daily dose to support hair growth.
Hair growth has three stages of hair growth: anagen (growing), catagen (intermediate), and telogen (resting or shredding). MSM is thought to either promote telogen to anagen conversion or lengthen anagen by delivering sulfur to the hair’s middle layer, strengthening the strand and encouraging further growth. MSM powder contains a high concentration of sulfur that may support healthy hair by contributing sulfur to keratin. It strengthens the connections between keratin molecules in the hair and nails and makes them look healthier.
Studies in animals showed that MSM could contribute to hair growth. A recent study found that mice treated with kombucha and black tea containing MSM had higher hair density compared to mice who did not receive any MSM. Furthermore, mice treated with this solution also had longer hair. According to the researchers, black tea and kombucha with MSM could be used as a natural alternative therapy for hair loss and cost-effective treatment with fewer side effects than synthetic drugs.
Researchers investigated whether MSM combined with Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP) could effectively treat alopecia in mice in a 2009 study. The researchers shaved the mice’s backs before applying thioglycolic acid 80 percent cream to remove the hair altogether. The researchers then prepared several solutions to be used. The mice given a solution containing a 10% concentration of MSM received the highest overall score, indicating more hair growth over time.
Another study found that taking MSM supplements for a certain period will result in significant improvements in hair and nails after four months of administration. Furthermore, the study showed that a higher concentration of MSM appears to provide faster and stronger benefits to hair follicle growth rate than a lower concentration.
Even at low doses, oral ingestion of MSM effectively reduces signs of aging, such as facial wrinkles and skin roughness. Participants in this study who took 1-3 grams of MSM per day saw a significant improvement in facial wrinkles and improved skin firmness, elasticity, and hydration.
How To Use MSM Powder For Hair Growth
MSM supplements are available in various forms, the most common of which are capsules, powders, and tablets.
Powder supplements can be mixed into smoothies or plain water, whereas capsules and tablets can be taken with food.
There are also readily available topical creams and serums that can be applied to the scalp to promote hair growth and reduce thinning or balding hair.
MSM Dosage For Hair
The effect of taking MSM as a supplement on hair growth is still being studied. MSM itself is still not FDA-approved. Anecdotally, however, MSM is recognized as safe and well-tolerated by people at serving sizes ranging from 500 milligrams to 3 grams orally per day.
Some manufacturers recommend taking the dose with breakfast in the mornings, but It’s also recommended to take 2-3 doses throughout the day.
For the topical application of MSM, daily use of a 5 to 10% concentration MSM solution may help prevent hair loss. A study found that positive results were obtained within 20 days of starting treatment.
Best MSM Supplement Brands – Best MSM Powder And Best MSM Capsules
MSM supplements have flooded the market due to their benefits in treating skin, gastrointestinal, and inflammatory conditions. It will be difficult to find brands that meet your needs so we decided to research the best MSM supplement brands on the market.
To ensure that the products are high quality, we researched each brand’s history, manufacturing process, labels, certificates, and third-party reports. The following products include the best MSM powder and the best MSM capsules that are available today.
Best MSM Powder
MSM Powder By Bulk Supplements
Bulk Supplements’ MSM Powder is by far the most affordable on the market. The essential chemical that promotes hair growth is available in a 250g pack for $14.96. The manufacturer suggests taking 1500 mg, or about 1/2 teaspoon, 1 to 3 times per day.
Bulk Supplements’ MSM powder has an impressive 5-star average. According to one reviewer, their hair has grown, and their nails have become much stronger after taking this.
Best MSM Capsules
Doctor’s Best MSM Capsules
Doctor’s Best offers 360 gelatin capsules of MSM for $21.44. Each capsule provides 1,000 mg of OptiMSM and it is recommended to take 3 capsules daily.
OptiMSM is one of the highest quality forms of MSM available today and is backed by an ample amount of clinical studies in regards to its efficacy and overall safety.
Best Vegetarian-Friendly MSM Capsules
NOW MSM Capsules
NOW offers 240 veggie capsules of MSM for $16.28. Each capsule provides 1,000 mg of MSM and it is recommended to take 2 capsules 1-2 times daily.
NOW is the best option for MSM capsules available to those who prefer to avoid gelatin.
Best MSM Tablets
Source Naturals MSM
This MSM powder from Source Naturals contains 60 tablets with 1,000 mg of MSM. It’s recommended to take 2 to 3 tablets daily, but we suggest taking a higher dosage for best results. Each container contains 30 servings and comes with 250 mg of vitamin C and 160 mcg of molybdenum.
This MSM supplement is suitable for vegetarians as it doesn’t contain yeast‚ dairy‚ egg‚ gluten‚ soy‚ wheat‚ sugar‚ starch‚ salt‚ preservatives‚ artificial color‚ flavor, or fragrance. It has the highest purity MSM available at an extremely low price, earning it a 5-star rating.
Studies And Research You Can Read About MSM For Hair Growth
- The Effect of Methylsulfonylmethane on Hair Growth Promotion of Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate for the Treatment of Alopecia (Biomolecules and Therapeutics, 2009)
- Methylsulfonylmethane: Applications and Safety of a Novel Dietary Supplement (Nutrients, 2017)
- Beauty from within: Oral administration of a sulfur-containing supplement methylsulfonylmethane improves signs of skin ageing (Vitamin and Nutrition Research, 2020)
- Beneficial Effects of a Sulfur-Containing Supplement on Hair and Nail Condition (Natural Medicine Journal, 2019)
- Evaluation of hair growth properties of topical kombucha tea extracts (Advances in Traditional Medicine, 2020)
Editor’s note: we are regularly updating this review. If you see any problems, weird interpretations of the data, or just want to say hi, please reach out to hello@the-unwinder.com.
Photo by Audrey Fretz on Unsplash
