Zinc for Telogen Effluvium

Based on 32 studies (3 RCTs) with 30,246 total participants. Results are mixed across studies.

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The Bottom Line

Moderate evidence suggests that zinc deficiency may contribute to telogen effluvium, and supplementation may help if levels are low — but routine zinc supplementation for hair shedding is not clearly supported.

Lower zinc levels are frequently found in telogen effluvium patients
Some RCTs show benefits from zinc-containing supplement combinations
Difficult to isolate zinc's specific effect from multi-ingredient formulas
Testing zinc levels and supplementing only if deficient is a reasonable approach

Key Study Findings

Prospective Open-Label Interventional Study n=343 4 weeks Open-label

Effect of a Hydrolyzed Collagen, Vitamin, and Zinc Containing Nutritional Supplement on Telogen Effluvium.

Dose: Pilopeptan Intensive (hydrolyzed collagen, Group B vitamins, zinc); daily for 1 month vs: Placebo Effect: Significant improvements in all hair parameters at T1 and T2 (P < 0.001) p<0.001

Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study n=23975

Hair Loss and Zinc Deficiency: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Dose: None vs: Placebo Effect: Median zinc 96 µg/dL (hair loss) vs 99 µg/dL (control); statistically significant but clinically min p<0.001

cross-sectional study

Zinc Status in Kurdish Adults With Hair Loss.

Dose: None vs: Placebo Effect: None None

Case-Control Study n=100

Role of zinc in chronic telogen effluvium in serum and hair of patients with alopecia.

Dose: None vs: Placebo Effect: None 0.05

case-control study n=180

A comprehensive investigation of biochemical status in patients with telogen effluvium: Analysis of Hb, ferritin, …

Dose: not applicable vs: Placebo Effect: None None

Case-control n=100

Post Covid telogen effluvium: the diagnostic value of serum ferritin biomarker and the preventive value …

Dose: None vs: Placebo Effect: None None

Key Statistics

Studies

30246

Participants

↔

Mixed

Grade

Referenced Papers

Effect of a Hydrolyzed Collagen, Vitamin, and Zinc Containing Nutritional Supplement on Telogen Effluvium. Other

International journal of … 2025

Hair Loss and Zinc Deficiency: A Cross-Sectional Study. Other

Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) 2025

A comprehensive investigation of biochemical status in patients with telogen effluvium: Analysis of Hb, ferritin, vitamin B12, vitamin D, thyroid … Other

Journal of cosmetic … 2024 7 citations

Post Covid telogen effluvium: the diagnostic value of serum ferritin biomarker and the preventive value of dietary supplements. a case … Other

Archives of dermatological … 2024 5 citations

Role of zinc in chronic telogen effluvium in serum and hair of patients with alopecia. Other

JPMA. The Journal … 2024 2 citations

Cost-effectiveness analysis of laboratory monitoring in newly diagnosed telogen effluvium patients. Other

Archives of dermatological … 2024 1 citations

Zinc Status in Kurdish Adults With Hair Loss. Other

Cureus 2024 1 citations

"Shedding" low yield testing for telogen effluvium: A cross-sectional study of 16,381 laboratory results from newly diagnosed patients. Other

Journal of the … 2023 5 citations

Micronutrient Deficiencies and Digital Computerized Phototrichogram Analysis in Telogen Effluvium: a Retrospective Correlation Study in a Tertiary Medical Center. Other

Dermatology practical & … 2023 4 citations

Clinical study on the efficacy and tolerability of an oral supplement based on arginine, l-cystine, zinc and B6 vitamin (Cystiphane®) … Other

Italian journal of … 2023 4 citations

Oral supplementation in female telogen effluvium: a clinical and instrumental objective evidence of efficacy and tolerability of new oral cosmetic … Other

Italian journal of … 2023 3 citations

Telogen effluvium in daily practice: Patient characteristics, laboratory parameters, and treatment modalities of 3028 patients with telogen effluvium. Other

Journal of cosmetic … 2022 22 citations

The role of micronutrients in the management of COIVD-19 and optimizing vaccine efficacy. Review

Human nutrition & … 2022 9 citations

Supplementation and hair growth: A retrospective chart review of patients with alopecia and laboratory abnormalities. Other

JAAD international 2022 6 citations

Possible relationship between poor skin disorders prognosis and serum zinc level: A narrative review. Other

Dermatology reports 2022 4 citations

A new combination of molecules for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium: a double-blind randomized, monocentric, placebo-controlled study. RCT

Italian journal of … 2022 2 citations

Laboratory Testing in Telogen Effluvium. Other

Journal of drugs … 2021 3 citations

Comparative evaluation between two nutritional supplements in the improvement of telogen effluvium. Other

Clinical, cosmetic and … 2018 16 citations

Assessment of Heavy Metal and Trace Element Levels in Patients with Telogen Effluvium. Other

Indian journal of … 2018 14 citations

Prevalence of Nutritional Deficiencies in Hair Loss among Indian Participants: Results of a Cross-sectional Study. Other

International journal of … 2017 43 citations

Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies in Patients With Telogen Effluvium: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study. Other

Journal of drugs … 2016 56 citations

Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Retrospective Study in a Tertiary Referral Center. Other

International journal of … 2016 28 citations

Trichotillomania: Bizzare Patern of Hair Loss at 11-Year-old Girl. Case Report

Acta dermatovenerologica Croatica … 2016 6 citations

Possible Relationship between Chronic Telogen Effluvium and Changes in Lead, Cadmium, Zinc, and Iron Total Blood Levels in Females: A … Other

International journal of … 2015 18 citations

Use of Vitamins and Minerals in the Treatment of Hair Loss: A Cross-Sectional Survey among Dermatologists in Saudi Arabia. Other

Journal of cutaneous … 2014 10 citations

Analysis of serum zinc and copper concentrations in hair loss. Other

Annals of dermatology 2013 114 citations

Hair loss in children: common and uncommon causes; clinical and epidemiological study in jordan. Other

International journal of … 2013 37 citations

Oral zinc therapy for zinc deficiency-related telogen effluvium. Case Report

Dermatologic therapy 2012 31 citations

The role of psychological factors and serum zinc, folate and vitamin B12 levels in the aetiology of trichodynia: a case-control … Other

Clinical and experimental … 2009 34 citations

The diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency and its potential relationship to hair loss. Review

Journal of the … 2006 255 citations

Dermatologic signs in patients with eating disorders. Review

American journal of … 2005 140 citations

Nudging hair shedding by antidandruff shampoos. A comparison of 1% ketoconazole, 1% piroctone olamine and 1% zinc pyrithione formulations. Other

International journal of … 2002 53 citations

Dosage & Usage

mg = milligrams · mcg = micrograms (1,000× smaller) · IU = International Units

Commonly Used Dosages

general:: 8-11 mg/day
hairloss:: 15-30 mg/day

Upper limit: 40 mg/day

Dosages Studied in Research

Dosage	Duration	Effect	N
Pilopeptan Intensive (hydrolyzed collagen, Group B vitamins, zinc); daily for 1 month	4 weeks	Positive	343
None	--	Neutral	23975
None	--	Neutral	--
None	--	Negative	100
not applicable	--	Mixed	180
None	--	Mixed	100
None	--	Mixed	--
4 tablets daily (arginine, l-cystine, zinc, vitamin B6)	12 weeks	Positive	20

Best taken: With meals to minimize stomach upset; separate from iron and calcium by 2 hours

Safety & Side Effects

Reported Side Effects

⚠ Nausea and vomiting (especially on an empty stomach)
⚠ Metallic taste in the mouth
⚠ Copper depletion with chronic high-dose use
⚠ Headache and diarrhea

Known Interactions

● Copper supplements (zinc inhibits copper absorption at doses >40 mg/day)
● Tetracycline and quinolone antibiotics (mutual absorption reduction)
● Penicillamine (zinc reduces absorption of this rheumatoid arthritis drug)

Tolerable upper intake: 40 mg/day

Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Zinc help with Telogen Effluvium?

Based on 32 studies with 30,246 participants, there is insufficient evidence at this time that Zinc may support Telogen Effluvium management. Our evidence grade is F (Evidence Against).

How much Zinc should I take for Telogen Effluvium?

Studies have used various dosages. A commonly studied range is 8-11 mg/day. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.

Are there side effects of Zinc?

Reported side effects may include Nausea and vomiting (especially on an empty stomach), Metallic taste in the mouth, Copper depletion with chronic high-dose use, Headache and diarrhea. Most side effects are mild and dose-dependent. Consult your doctor if you experience any adverse reactions.

How strong is the evidence for Zinc and Telogen Effluvium?

We rate the evidence as Grade F (Evidence Against). This rating is based on 32 peer-reviewed studies with 30,246 total participants. The overall direction of effect is mixed.

Related Evidence

Other ingredients for Telogen Effluvium

Minoxidil A Black Seed Oil A Viviscal A Iron B Keratin B Omega-3 Fatty Acids B

Zinc for other conditions

Androgenetic Alopecia A Alopecia Areata F

Quick Verdict

Based on 32 studies (3 RCTs) with 30,246 total participants. Results are mixed across studies.

Evidence Strength10%

Low confidence

Study Breakdown

RCT (1)Meta (0)Other (31)

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FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products and information on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The evidence grades presented are based on our analysis of published peer-reviewed research and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.