I’ve typed “how to make my hair grow” into Google more than a couple of times. And if you’ve ever accidentally gotten an extreme haircut, you probably have too. (Maybe it's what brought you to this article.) You see, my hair grows really slowly. That's why I decided to try Viviscal for hair growth and write this review. I wanted to help people who were going through a similar experience.
About a year ago, I noticed that my hair no longer grew as steadily as it did when I was younger. It has always been on the thinner side, but it was staying on the shorter side too. It didn't seem to get any longer. For a while, I didn't even bother getting it cut. Feeling a bit defeated, I finally decided to try Viviscal hair growth pills for nine months to see what would happen.
Keep reading to learn the results of my experiment.
How Hair Growth Pills Work
Like the hair, skin, and nail pills you've probably already tried, Viviscal supplements contain biotin. But there are other ingredients mixed in as mentioned above, like vitamin C, apple extract, keratin, and a marine complex they call AminoMar (there's more of this in the Viviscal professional line than the Viviscal Extra Strength version). These ingredients help strengthen hair and promote growth.
At first thought, the hair growth pills seemed like the kind of product that a Kardashian would promote on Instagram. The bottle promised to "nourish" my hair follicles and "promote growth from within." I wasn't convinced, but I knew I'd be back in the salon in six months for another trim (because this kind of maintenance is also crucial for healthy hair growth), and if the pills worked, I could have longer, thicker hair by then.
How Much Viviscal Costs
One box of Viviscal Professional Supplements costs $60 in the salon for a month's supply of twice-daily pills, and my stylist let me know that it would take at least three months to see results. I have since found the pills on Amazon for less (about $30 for a month's supply), however, they are not the Professional strength.The company explainsthat the Professional version costs more because it contains a higher dose of the proprietary marine complex AminoMarC, as well as additional ingredients, including Apple Extract, L-Cysteine, and L-Methionine. Meaning, you may see results more quickly.
The Results
I started noticing a difference around two and a half months into taking my twice-daily hair growth pills. When I put my hair in a ponytail, it felt thicker to me. I also noticed it looked better and livelier after my usual morning shower and styling. So I pressed on and continued to buy more supplements when I ran out.
After nine months of taking the supplement, I noticed a change—but these pills aren't miracle workers. I noticed the biggest length difference in the back. I imagine that's because I favor the front part of my hair when straightening, so my face-framing hair endures more heat. Viviscal didn't solve that.
But after months of my hair stopping just above my breasts, no matter what, it started to go farther down my back. A few additional inches are undeniable. I have also been keeping up with regular trims, which I'm sure helps.
The Final Takeaway
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that consistency is key. If I forget to pick up a new box and miss a couple of days of pills, I pretty quickly notice that my hair feels less thick, and is less likely to cooperate when I style it. When I'm extremely loyal to the pills and focused on maintaining the twice-a-day regimen, my hair rewards me with some growth as well as a more bountiful feel and appearance.
So did these supplements give me the mermaid-meets-Rapunzel hair of my dreams? No. Did they make a difference instantly? Also no. But if you are willing to make a big commitment for a result that may only be noticeable to you, then go for it. Like I thought when I first swiped my credit card to buy a box: I'll be getting another hair trim in six months regardless; it would be cool if there were some more hair to trim. And, for me at least, there has been.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Viviscal safe?
Yes. Viviscal's literature says it's been clinically tested for 25 years. Note that the majority of its trials focus on older men who are balding or women who experience hair loss and are looking to increase their number of hair strands. However, the brand warns that their pill "is not suitable for those with an allergy to...fish and shellfish."
Does Viviscal work for all hair types?
Yes. According to Viviscal, the hair growth pills work on all hair types.
What happens when you stop taking Viviscal?
As we learned during our experiment, your hair stops growing as thick as it was during Viviscal intake. We didn't notice any other side effects and the brand doesn't call any out either.
