Ask The Dermatologist What Really is Medical-Grade Skincare and What Makes it Better

Wellbel Alternatives for Hair Growth and Density

If you’re suffering from hair loss—whether due to hormonal fluctuations during menopause or after pregnancy, stress, illness, diet, genetics, or any number of other reasons—you’ve undoubtedly come across countless products that promise to make your hair fuller, shinier, and more gorgeous—with a style built around more gorgeous hair.

One product on the market, Wellbel®, is a vegan dietary supplement designed to promote healthy hair, skin, and nails. It consists of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, delivered in capsule form.

However, Wellbel is expensive, costing $204 for a three-month supply, and is only available in oral form, with no topical gels or creams. 1

So today we’re going to look at some alternatives to Wellbel.

Understanding Hair Growth and Loss

To understand how these products work, it’s important to first understand what causes hair growth and loss. The hair growth cycle consists of three phases: anagen, catagen, and telogen2:

Anagen: The active growth phase that can last for several years.

Catagen: The transition phase where hair stops growing and separates from the follicle. This phase lasts about 10 days.

Telogen: The resting phase where the follicle rests for two to three months before the hair falls out.

Most people lose 50 to 100 hairs a day as part of this natural cycle. 2 If this cycle is disrupted or the follicles become damaged, hair can fall out faster than it can grow back, which can cause thinning hair. 2 This can be due to genetics, disease, hormones, lifestyle, stress, and other factors. 3

Luckily, there are things you can do to manage hair loss.

Vitamins and Minerals

According to Harvard Health, the most important vitamins and minerals for supporting hair growth include:

Vitamin A

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

Vitamin B7 (Biotin)

Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)

Vitamin B12

Vitamin C

Vitamin D

Vitamin E

Iron

Selenium

Zinc

Wellbel contains vitamins A, D, B12, selenium, folic acid, and biotin. It also contains MSM, horsetail powder, saw palmetto fruit extract, nettle leaf, PABA, and betaine HCl.

Let’s compare it to Foundation Skincare’s Untangled supplement. It contains some similar ingredients:

Vitamin A: 1,500 mcg in Wellbel/900 mcg in Untangled

Vitamin D: 25 mcg in Wellbel/20 mcg in Untangled

Selenium: 25 mcg in Wellbel/55 mcg in Untangled

Folic acid: 667 mcg in Wellbel/400 mcg in Untangled

Biotin: 500 mcg in Wellbel/30 mcg in Untangled

Plus, both contain proprietary blends that include saw palmetto powder and horsetail powder, among others.

However, there are also some notable differences between the two products:

Unlike Wellbel, Untangled also contains zinc, iron, pantothenic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, collagen, L-arginine, L-cysteine, L-methionine, and L-tyrosine—other ingredients that have been shown to promote healthy hair. 4,5,6 ,7 Additionally, the amounts of each ingredient in UnTangled are scientifically selected based on optimal levels to help achieve the best results. It’s also very important to be mindful of the amount of biotin you consume each day, as too much biotin may have adverse side effects. Lastly, a two-month supply of Wellbel costs $136, while a two-month supply of Untangled costs just $65.1. It’s also worth noting that the serving size for Wellbel is three capsules per day, but the serving size for Untangled is only two capsules per day, which may be easier for some people who have trouble taking supplements.

Detangled Hair Supplement

• 2-month supply

• Reduces hair loss and thinning

• Strengthens hair follicles

Original price $65

Add to cart

Topical treatments

In addition to oral supplements, topical treatments applied directly to the scalp can also promote hair growth. Like supplements, these products often contain vitamins, minerals, herbs, and acids. These products directly stimulate the hair follicles and can be a great addition to supplements to improve results.

Wellbel does not offer topical treatments.

However, Foundation Skincare’s Hair Serum is a great complement to the Foundation Untangled supplement. This serum contains similar ingredients to the supplement, including saw palmetto. In addition, it contains Capixyl (a biomimetic peptide that helps shrink hair follicles), apple stem cells to promote regeneration, and cayenne pepper extract to stimulate blood circulation to the scalp.

Prescription and OTC Drugs

In addition to supplements and topical treatments, there are prescription and over-the-counter medications. The most well-known hair growth products include Rogaine® and Ketoconazole.

Rogaine is the brand name for the drug minoxidil. It was originally developed as a blood pressure medication and acts as a vasodilator (it widens blood vessels). Therefore, when applied topically, it can promote hair growth by increasing blood flow to the scalp. When using the product for the first time, side effects may include scalp irritation or hair loss. High doses can cause irregular heartbeats and hot flashes, so a prescription is required and it must be used with caution. 8

Ketoconazole is also a medication. It was originally used to treat fungal infections, but when used topically or in shampoo, ketoconazole is thought to block the effects of DHT, a hormone that, when there is too much DHT in the body, causes hair follicles to shrink. 9.10 This is similar to how the herbal ingredient saw palmetto in Wellbel and UnTangled works.

Lifestyle Adjustments

In addition to taking supplements, medications, or topical treatments, making certain lifestyle changes can improve hair health. Studies have shown that low-calorie crash diets can lead to excessive hair loss, as can excessive exercise. Excessive stress, excessive alcohol consumption, and an unhealthy diet can all contribute to hair loss, as can certain hair care habits. 11

For example, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing oily hair more often, color-treated hair less often, focusing shampoo on the scalp and conditioner on the ends, choosing shampoo and conditioner based on your specific hair type, and protecting your hair when swimming. 12 All of these things can have a significant impact on the health and growth of your hair and should become part of your new routine, as these lifestyle changes can significantly improve your overall results.

When to See a Professional

You should see a doctor if your hair loss is sudden, patchy, or more severe than usual. Sudden hair loss can sometimes be a sign of an underlying condition that needs treatment.

As mentioned above, shedding about 50 to 100 hairs a day is considered normal—it’s part of your hair’s natural growth and shedding cycle. 2 However, if you’re self-conscious about thinning hair or simply want thicker hair, there’s no shame in getting a little extra support.

Wellbel is a great product with great ingredients, but it can be a little pricey for some and doesn’t offer topical options. To combat hair loss from the inside out, we recommend combining Foundation Skincare’s UnTangled supplement and hair serum, which costs just $124 for a two-month supply, or even less if you love it and opt for a subscription.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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