Encyclopedia · supplement
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
A sulfur supplement sold for hair growth with no human hair data behind it.
Supplement
Cost $
Safety: minor
What it is
MSM is a sulfur compound sold as a joint and hair supplement. Hair keratin contains a lot of sulfur, which is the basis for the claim.
How it works
The idea is that MSM donates sulfur for keratin. This is a hypothesis; your protein intake already supplies the sulfur amino acids.
What the studies show
- We found no human trial of MSM for hair. The only hair-related work is in animals such as mice, kittens and dogs, and we did not verify those results.
Side effects and safety
Usually well tolerated in people; long-term hair safety is not studied.
Bottom line
No human evidence for hair, so we do not recommend it as a hair supplement. Discuss with a doctor.
Studies 0
No studies are listed for this page yet.
Related
- BiotinA B vitamin that restores hair only in the rare people who are deficient, and that can scramble thyroid and heart blood tests at the doses sold for hair.
- L-cysteineAn amino acid that makes up much of hair keratin, with no controlled hair trial on its own.
- Hair supplement blends (Nutrafol, Viviscal and similar)Branded multi-ingredient hair vitamins that beat placebo in small, mostly company-linked trials.