Viviscal vs Nutrafol: Which Should You Use For Hair Growth

A certain amount of hair naturally falls each day, and most people lose between 50 and 100 hairs each day as part of the hair growth cycle. But sometimes people lose more than this, and thinning or slow-growing hair is a problem for as many as 50% of women.

Hair loss has many causes, from chemotherapy treatment and stress to sudden weight loss and vitamin deficiency. Women may also experience postpartum hair loss after the birth of a baby or experience hair loss during perimenopause and after menopause.

But it can be possible to regrow hair, especially if you start hair growth treatments quickly. Nutrafol and Viviscal are two popular hair growth supplements containing essential vitamins and other nutrients that support good hair health. Both have excellent results in treating thinning or slow-growing hair. 

If you’re considering a hair growth supplement but aren’t sure which one is best for you, this comparison of Nutrafol vs Viviscal will help you choose.

Disclaimer

This guide is a summary of information from trustworthy sources. However, we are not doctors and cannot provide medical advice. We recommend consulting a healthcare professional before taking any supplements. 

Viviscal vs Nutrafol: Which Is Better for Hair Growth?

Nutrafol and Viviscal are excellent hair growth supplements that have been thoroughly tested and clinically proven to support hair growth. Whichever hair growth supplement you choose, you should see thicker hair after 3-6 months of regular use. But which is the right supplement for you?

Nutrafol has a more diverse list of ingredients, which means it can take a broader approach to the causes of thinning hair. It’s also the best choice if you want an all-natural supplement. However, it is more expensive than Viviscal, and you have to take more tablets each day.

Viviscal is cheaper than Nutrafol, and you only need to take two pills per day. However, it does contain some artificial additives and doesn’t help with the hormonal imbalances that can lead to hair shedding. 

That’s just a quick summary of the differences between these two hair growth supplements, so now, let’s look at Nutrafol vs Viviscal in more detail. 

What Is Viviscal?

Viviscal is a leading brand of hair growth supplements for men and women formulated using vitamins, minerals, and Viviscal’s exclusive AminoMar® complex. Viviscal hair supplements are designed to reduce hair thinning, nourish each hair follicle, and extend the growth phase of the hair cycle. 

The Viviscal product range includes:

• Viviscal: For women experiencing hair thinning, slow hair growth, or hair damage.
• Viviscal Man: For men experiencing thinning or slow growth of hair
• Viviscal Professional: A higher dosage supplement for men and women experiencing thinning hair or slow hair growth. 

Viviscal also produces topical hair growth products, including a shampoo, conditioner, scrub, and hair serum for promoting hair growth. These are 100% drug-free and made with natural ingredients. 

How Does Viviscal Help Hair Growth?

Viviscal focuses on nourishing hair follicles, supporting scalp health, and creating an optimal environment for hair growth. 

The vitamins and minerals in the Viviscal range of hair supplements provide a steady supply of nutrients for healthy hair. 

Viviscal Ingredients

Although not 100% natural, each Viviscal hair growth pill contains mostly natural ingredients that reduce hair thinning, promote existing hair growth, and boost the volume of your hair. The key ingredients include:

AminoMar® complex: A unique formulation exclusive to Viviscal, containing a blend of fatty acids and marine collagen proteins from shark cartilage and oyster extract powder. This has been clinically proven to boost hair volume and support healthy hair growth.

Horsetail extract: Stabilizes the levels of calcium and magnesium in the body, which balances hormones. It also improves hair elasticity and reduces scalp inflammation.

Niacin (Vitamin B3): This vitamin supports blood circulation, which helps deliver more nutrients to your hair follicles, stimulating hair growth and improving hair’s fullness. 

Biotin (Vitamin B7): Increases keratin production, which boosts your hair’s shine and volume and supports hair growth. 

Vitamin C: This vitamin has anti inflammatory properties that support a healthy scalp, strengthens hair and enhances shine. It also makes it easier for your body to absorb iron.

Iron: Boosts red blood cells and blood flow to the scalp, which nourishes hair follicles and boosts hair growth. It also helps reverse hair shedding in people with iron deficiency anemia.

Viviscal Man also contains zinc to strengthen hair follicles, increase hair growth, and reduce shedding. 

Benefits of Viviscal

The cost of Viviscal is much cheaper than Nutrafol, and you can receive discounts on bulk purchases. Subscribers also receive free gifts and naturopathic consultations.

You take fewer tablets each day compared to Nutrafol, so the bottle will last longer. 

The product range includes several hair products, including shampoos, scalp scrubs, and serums. 

The AminoMar® blend of marine collagen and nutrients is exclusive to Viviscal. It has been clinically proven to support hair growth and fullness. 

There have been many clinical studies that have proven the effectiveness of Viviscal. It has been shown to reduce shedding and increase hair thickness within 3-6 months of regular use.

The few side effects reported are mostly nausea due to the fishy smell and taste of the supplement.

Disadvantages of Viviscal

This hair growth supplement contains some artificial additives, so it isn’t suitable if you want a 100% natural supplement.

Viviscal contains biotin, which can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, bloating and cramping. Taking the supplement with food is the best way to reduce these unwanted side effects of Viviscal.

Viviscal doesn’t contain as wide a range of nutrients compared to Nutrafol. 

Although the men’s formula contains zinc, this vital mineral is missing from the women’s supplement. Zinc has been proven effective against hair thinning in women, so this omission is surprising.

It can take several months before you see the results. The manufacturer recommends using Viviscal for at least three months and, ideally, for six months to see the best results. If you stop taking Viviscal, the condition of your hair will return to how it was before you started taking the supplement. 

What Is Nutrafol?

Nutrafol is a range of drug-free hair supplements designed to target several causes of hair loss. 

One of Nutrafol’s significant advantages is its personalized approach to hair growth treatment. The online Hair Wellness Quiz helps you identify the causes of your thinning hair and recommends the appropriate hair supplement to suit your needs. 

The Nutrafol product range includes:

• Nutrafol Men: Suitable for men aged 18+ who are experiencing thinning hair
• Nutrafol Women: Targets the root causes of hair loss in women aged 18-44, such as stress, lifestyle, and nutrition
• Nutrafol Women’s Vegan: A version of Nutrafol Women that’s suitable for vegan diets
• Nutrafol Women’s Balance: Designed for women aged 45+ who are experiencing perimenopausal or postmenopausal hair loss
• Nutrafol Postpartum: Designed to target postpartum hair loss

You can use Nutrafol’s targeted boosters to increase hair growth further, and they also offer their subscribers access to free hair mineral analysis. This helps you learn how your overall health is impacting your tresses. 

How Does Nutrafol Help Hair Growth?

The Nutrafol range of hair growth supplements contains ingredients specifically chosen to help prolong the hair’s anagen phase (growth phase). They also delay the telogen phase, when the strand stops growing, thins, and hair naturally falls out.

Nutrafol also helps reduce oxidative stress and balances the body’s levels of hormones to give improved hair growth.

In addition, Nutrafol hair supplements contain key ingredients that will hydrate your existing hair and encourage sebum production to grow healthy hair. 

Nutrafol Ingredients

Nutrafol contains a rich blend of 100% natural ingredients clinically proven or shown to support healthy hair growth and reduce shedding. Vitally, it also contains specific nutrients that make it easier for your body to absorb these vitamins and minerals more efficiently. 

Some of Nutrafol’s key vitamins, minerals and clinically tested plant extracts include:

Ashwagandha: Also known as Indian ginseng, this medicinal herb balances cortisol levels, which can help with hair thinning.

Saw Palmetto: This anti-inflammatory is a clinically proven natural DHT blocker that can help with various types of hair loss, including female or male pattern hair loss and telogen effluvium. 

Resveratrol: Reduces oxidative stress and stimulates your hair to shift from the telogen or resting phase into the anagen or growth phase of the cycle.

Marine Collagen: Provides the hair protein keratin essential for good overall hair health. 

Curcumin: Another anti-inflammatory that can boost metabolic function, support the immune system, and improve hair growth. 

Kelp: This seaweed is packed with hair-nourishing vitamins and minerals including vitamin E, zinc, and iodine.

Horsetail Extract: This can improve your scalp’s blood circulation and contains silicon to enhance the strength and quality of your hair strands. 

Hyaluronic acid: This ingredient will moisturize your dry, itchy scalp and lock hydration into your strands to fight frizz.

Vitamin A: Supports sebum production for a healthy, moisturized scalp and hydrated strands. 

Vitamin C: This antioxidant vitamin supports hair and scalp health and enhances your hair’s shine.

Zinc: Strengthens hair follicles to prevent hair loss and can also increase hair thickness. 

Vitamin D: Supports hair follicles to stimulate hair growth.

Biotin: Boosts keratin production to improve hair growth and give your strands added shine and volume.

The Nutrafol Women’s Balance formula also contains Maca root, which supports hormone regulation during perimenopause and post-menopause.

Benefits of Nutrafol

Nutrafol has a broader nutrient profile than Viviscal. It contains many of the same ingredients as Viviscal, plus others that will help improve hair health. The Nutrafol website also features details of clinical research showing how each ingredient supports healthy hair.

Nutrafol contains 100% natural ingredients, and the company is transparent about where they source their ingredients. 

The Nutrafol range includes specific product formulations for men and women and booster supplements that target specific causes of thinning hair. 

Taking out a Nutrafol subscription will give you access to a targeted strategy to treat the root causes of thinning hair. You will receive ongoing support and personalized naturopathic recommendations. 

Discounts are available on bulk purchases, and you can sign up for auto-delivery, saving you money and ensuring you never run out of supplements. They also offer free shipping within the United States. 

Disadvantages of Nutrafol

Nutrafol is more expensive than Viviscal, and because you take four pills daily, you’ll go through a bottle quickly. However, discounts are available for larger purchases.

Nutrafol contains more biotin than Viviscal, so you may experience side effects like nausea and stomach cramps. Taking the supplement with food can help reduce these side effects.

The booster supplements can only be purchased in bundles with the Women, Women’s Balance, or Men supplements, which will increase your overall cost.

Nutrafol hair supplement is not suitable for use during pregnancy or if you are on blood thinners. It contains marine proteins, so it will not be suitable if you are allergic to shellfish or other marine proteins.

It can take a long time to see any effects from taking Nutrafol. The manufacturer recommends taking it for three to six months before deciding if it doesn’t suit your needs.

If you stop taking Nutrafol, your locks will gradually return to the condition they were in before you started taking the supplement.

Nutrafol vs Viviscal: A comparison

Here’s a summary of the main differences between Nutrafol and Viviscal to help you choose the right supplement for your needs.

Side Effects

Both Nutrafol and Viviscal are dietary supplements and don’t have many side effects. You may find that the biotin in them can make your stomach gassy or crampy, and because you take more Nutrafol tablets, this side effect can be stronger.

As with any supplement, if you experience any allergic reaction, such as itching or swelling, you should stop taking the supplement and seek emergency medical attention.

Effectiveness

Viviscal and Nutrafol have both undergone clinical testing, proving their effectiveness in improving hair growth and reducing hair shedding. 

Whichever brand you choose, you will need to take the supplement for 3-6 months to see optimal results. Nutrafol recommends taking their supplements for at least six months.

Ingredients and Formulation

Viviscal and Nutrafol are both high-quality supplements containing naturally sourced ingredients from reliable sources. If natural ingredients are a priority for you, you may prefer Nutrafol as it has 100% natural ingredients. Viviscal does contain some artificial fillers and additives.

Nutrafol is only available in pill form, while the Viviscal range also includes shampoos, conditioners, and an elixir. 

Cost and Affordability

If budget is an important factor in your decision, Viviscal is a clear winner. It costs $40 for a single purchase compared to $88 for a single purchase of Nutrafol. 

Both products offer monthly delivery options that save you money on regular purchases. 

User Feedback and Reviews

At the time of writing, Viviscal and Nutrafol both have a 4.3-star average rating on Amazon. However, Viviscal for Women has over 17,000 ratings, while Nutrafol Women has around 15,000 ratings. 

Both products have a similar proportion of 1-star ratings (7% for Viviscal, 8% for Nutrafol). So, they are very evenly matched regarding user feedback, but Viviscal has slightly more ratings. 

Viviscal vs Nutrafol: FAQs

If you’re still confused about which supplement to choose, these frequently asked questions may help:

Are Viviscal and Nutrafol Available Without a Prescription?

Both of these supplements can be bought online or from local retailers without a prescription. 

Can You Take Viviscal and Nutrafol Together for Better Results?

Viviscal and Nutrafol do not interact with each other, so you could take both supplements together. However, this would be expensive and could overload your body with nutrients, so it’s better to choose one supplement and stick with it for at least 3-6 months.

Is It Necessary To Continue Using Viviscal or Nutrafol Once I Achieve My Desired Hair Growth?

If you stop taking Nutrafol or Viviscal, your tresses will likely return to how they were before you began treatment. The stimulation from the ingredients will slow down, and you’re likely to experience a shedding phase around 1-5 months later.

Is Viviscal or Nutrafol FDA Approved?

Viviscal and Nutrafol aren’t eligible for FDA approval because they are classed as dietary supplements rather than medications. 

Does Nutrafol Affect Eyelashes?

Yes, Nutrafol can help with eyelash growth as well as improving scalp coverage.

Do Nutrafol or Viviscal Cause Weight Gain?

Although there are some anecdotal stories about people gaining or losing weight while taking Nutrafol or Viviscal, there’s no clinical evidence that either supplement causes weight gain.

Is Nutrafol or Viviscal Vegan?

Viviscal is not vegan as it includes shellfish extract. The standard Nutrafol products are not vegan, but they have a Nutrafol Vegan supplement suitable for vegan diets.

Viviscal vs Nutrafol: The Bottom Line

Viviscal and Nutrifol are two highly effective supplements that can help boost the health of your hair. They have both been clinically tested, contain natural ingredients, and have minimal side effects. 

There are several factors to consider when comparing Nutrafol vs Viviscal, including the price, ingredients, and dosage. This guide has given you all the details you’ll need to make an informed choice between them. 

While there isn’t a miracle cure for hair loss, supporting your body with good nutrition is an important step towards treating it. And with three to six months of regular use, both of these supplements can give you healthier, fuller, thicker hair with more scalp coverage.