Chlorophyll and Chlorella for Hair: What the Research Shows

Chlorophyll water and green supplements are everywhere, and many people take them hoping for healthier skin and hair. The green pigment itself has limited hair research. But the greens that are richest in it, especially the algae chlorella, are some of the most nutrient-dense supplements you can take, and several of those nutrients matter for hair.

Here's what chlorophyll and chlorella can and can't do for your hair, based on the research.

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Key Takeaways

• Chlorophyll is the green pigment in plants. Supplements usually contain chlorophyllin, a water-soluble form made from chlorophyll that is bound to copper.
• Topical copper chlorophyllin improved acne-prone skin in a small pilot study, but it hasn't been tested on hair growth.
• Chlorella, a chlorophyll-rich green alga, provides vitamin B12, folate, iron and vitamin D, nutrients that are hard to get from plants.
• Low vitamin B12 and low iron stores have been linked to premature graying.

What Is Chlorophyll?

Chlorophyll is the pigment that makes plants green and lets them capture energy from sunlight. Most chlorophyll supplements actually contain sodium copper chlorophyllin, a water-soluble form.

How Can Chlorophyll Benefit Your Hair And Scalp?

Chlorophyll itself hasn't been tested on hair growth. What exists is skin research on chlorophyllin, and nutrient research on chlorella, the chlorophyll-rich alga. Neither is a hair trial, and we've labelled each below.

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How To Add Chlorophyll And Chlorella To Your Routine

• Eat your greens. Leafy green vegetables are naturally rich in chlorophyll, along with fiber and antioxidants.
• Chlorella tablets or powder: an easy way to add B12, iron and folate.
• Liquid chlorophyll (chlorophyllin): popular in drinks. It's mainly an antioxidant, not a significant source of hair nutrients.
• Scalp care: topical chlorophyllin is promising for skin. Patch-test any new product first.

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What The Research Shows

Skin Research On Chlorophyllin

In a three-week pilot study, 10 adults with mild to moderate acne and large pores applied a gel containing 0.1% sodium copper chlorophyllin twice a day. Every measure of skin improvement got significantly better, and the product was well tolerated. Chlorophyllin has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing activity (Stephens et al., 2015).

The scalp is skin too, so this is encouraging for scalp-care uses. Keep in mind that it was a small study without a placebo group, and chlorophyllin hasn't been studied for hair growth.

Chlorella: The Chlorophyll-Rich Superfood

Chlorella is a single-celled green alga packed with chlorophyll and sold worldwide as a supplement. It contains nutrients that are normally missing from plant foods, including vitamins D and B12, and it has more folate and iron than other plant-derived foods (Bito et al., 2020).

Why Those Nutrients Matter For Hair

In a study of young adults, people with premature graying had lower vitamin B12 and lower ferritin, the body's iron store, than people without early graying (Chakrabarty et al., 2016). That makes chlorella especially interesting for vegetarians and vegans, who are more likely to run low on B12 and iron.

Are There Side Effects?

Topical chlorophyllin was well tolerated in the skin study above. As with any supplement, check with your doctor before taking chlorella or chlorophyll if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, take prescription medication such as blood thinners, or have an immune condition.

See also: Copper for Hair: Gray Hair, Hair Growth & Copper Peptides · N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) for Hair: Glutathione, Oxidative Stress & What to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

Does chlorophyll help hair growth?

Chlorophyll itself hasn't been tested on hair growth. Chlorella, a chlorophyll-rich alga, provides iron, folate and vitamin B12, nutrients linked to healthy hair.

Is chlorella good for hair?

Chlorella supplies nutrients that matter for hair. Low B12 and iron have been linked to premature graying.

Chlorophyll vs chlorella: which is better for hair?

For hair nutrition, chlorella. It's a whole food that delivers vitamins and minerals. Liquid chlorophyll is mainly a pigment extract with antioxidant activity.

References

1. Stephens TJ, McCook JP, Herndon JH Jr. Pilot Study of Topical Copper Chlorophyllin Complex in Subjects With Facial Acne and Large Pores. J Drugs Dermatol. 2015. PubMed
2. Bito T, Okumura E, Fujishima M, et al. Potential of Chlorella as a Dietary Supplement to Promote Human Health. Nutrients. 2020. PubMed
3. Chakrabarty S, Krishnappa PG, Gowda DG, et al. Factors Associated with Premature Hair Graying in a Young Indian Population. Int J Trichology. 2016. PubMed