MSM, which stands for methylsulfonylmethane, is a compound that is rich in sulfur.
The chemical formula for methylsulfonylmethane is (CH3)2SO2. The compound occurs naturally and is found in a variety of foods, such as green vegetables, garlic, seafood, onions, and milk.
MSM for Hair Growth: How It Works
Many women take MSM for hair growth because the chemical compound contains sulfur, which is one of the primary building blocks for your hair. But, will methylsulfonylmethane actually make your hair grow?
Some medical professionals suggest that methylsulfonylmethane can be used as a supplement for increasing hair growth.
It is also believed by many people that MSM can increase the rate of hair growth since it elongates the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle.
The anagen phase of the hair growth cycle is commonly referred to as the growth phase. Note that hair generally grows at roughly ½ inch per month.
If the supplement can significantly increase the rate of hair growth, this would be a scientific breakthrough. Unfortunately, scientific evidence is inconclusive at the moment.
My current opinion on using MSM for hair growth was derived mostly from reading a recent study from the College of Pharmacy at Yeungnam University in South Korea (Republic of Korea).
The objective of this study was to understand the effect of methylsulfonylmethane on increasing hair growth of magnesium ascorbyl phosphate for the treatment of alopecia.
Even though the results of the study are inconclusive, most people who read the study will come away with only marginal hope that future studies will demonstrate conclusive evidence.
It’s unlikely that you’ll see significant results using MSM for hair growth, however minimal increases in hair growth may be possible.
Even if it only helps a little, that’s worth something. Right?
Where Can You Buy Methylsulfonylmethane?
Methylsulfonylmethane supplements are available in almost every health food store, grocery store, pharmacy, and several online retailers.
Methylsulfonylmethane is present in many foods. However, the content level of MSM reduces while foods are cooking.
So you can ingest it without taking over-the-counter supplements, but most women will want to increase their overall intake of the chemical compound.
So, unless you eat most of your food raw, taking a supplement is likely the preferred option.
Other Uses of MSM Supplements
MSM is possibly effective for treating various ailments such as hemorrhoids, osteoarthritis, and rosacea. There are many other potential uses of MSM, but we can’t currently substantiate the other uses due to insufficient evidence.
It is true that the human body uses sulfur to build things other than just hair. Sulfur is also used to develop bones and form cartilage for the joints. MSM is not only beneficial to your hair but also good for your whole body.
What You Should Know Before Taking MSM
Before I conclude, it’s important for you to understand that using MSM also comes with several potential side effects. The National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements, hasn’t established a recommended daily allowance (RDA) of methylsulfonylmethane intake.
Note that RDA is defined as the average intake necessary to satisfy the nutritional requirements of nearly all healthy people.
High doses can lead to negative symptoms such as itching, insomnia, fatigue, headaches, kidney problems, nausea, and diarrhea in some people.
MSM is generally considered safe for many people if taken in the appropriate doses. However, we always suggest that ladies speak with their medical doctor prior to taking any new supplements.
This is particularly the case for women who are pregnant or currently breastfeeding.
Sammie says
Yes and I also applied it to my scalp as well and I noticed growth in my alopecia spot.
Nicole says
You used the Crystal’s in your hair???
Cathy Slawter says
Maybe she mixed MSM powder into her shampoo or conditioner. Or you could mix in distilled water and spray on scalp. Since MSM works better with acidic environment (it is recommended you take Vitamin C with your MSM for best results) , I would add a tablespoon of ACV..apple cider vinegar.. to 2 cups of warm distilled water and 6,000 mg of MSM. shake well and spray on scalp and rub in. You can also spray this on face, body, feet or hands to soften skin and provide anti-aging effects. If you don’t like vinegar smell add a tablespoon of Vitamin C powder instead of vinegar. (But for scalp, I would use the vinegar)
Suzanne says
I started taking MSM some months ago as an aid to help arthritis in my wrist. Over the past month, I noticed my hair seemed to have a growth spurt. I thought it was just wishful thinking until several people commented on it. I have just googled whether it can affect hair growth and came across this article. It looks like it can work!!
Tammie says
Hello, are you still taking MSM? I just started taking it this morning for Osteoarthritis but i was not aware of all the other health benefits and uses.
Liz says
I’ve have significant hair growth but at a price….I’m African American and I relax my hair…At first I started to notice the new growth coming in thicker, I didn’t change how I relaxed my hair, usually 14-16 weeks before I need a touch-up…over a period of several months I started to notice my hair had become very dry, if I used a moisturizer or oil it would drink it up…because my hair was so dry I decided to relax my entire head thinking that would help, big mistake!!! now my hair is worst, very tangle and every time I comb it it’s a struggle and more hair comes out…I’ve since stop taking MSM, which is unfortunate because my skin and nails have never been better…
Nosytee says
Was it the perm or MSM?
Danielle says
Yeah it doesn’t seem like MSM was the culprit..
Mj says
The sulfur in the MSM and the chemicals in the relaxer are a huge no no. It’s like making Hair.
Mj says
Huge typo, I wanted to say like making Nair.
gold says
hahahaha.
Cathy Slawter says
Shampoo then do a vinegar rinse on your hair, then rub blackstrap molasses into hair as a mask and put shower cap on for at least an hour. Rinse out molasses in shower or sink with warm to cool water. Use whatever conditioner you normally use. The molasses puts the sugar bond back in your hair that the chemicals from relaxing takes out. MSM makes our cells, skin, hair more permeable, so we absorb nutrients better. If you have been taking MSM it probably made your hair more permeable so chemicals from hair treatment got deeper into hair structure and affected hair more. With MSM you needed LESS curl relaxer, not more. I would keep taking MSM. It did not harm your hair..the chemical did. MSM will soften hair..just use less of the chemicals while taking MSM.
Cathy Slawter says
MSM has Sulphur in it..and molasses does do. Its aazung for overprocessed hair.
Chris says
Don’t stop taking the MSM! It will help regrow your hair. The relaxer that you put over already relaxed hair caused/is causing the breakage. That is why only new growth is relaxed. MSM is drying on hair, so if using it topically, only apply it to your roots (which is why i don’t add it to shampoo or moisturizer). I dilute mine in distilled water, put it in an applicator bottle and use that on my scalp.
Chris says
correction: only apply the MSM solution to your SCALP, not roots.
Gelil says
Hi,
I am African and my hair is totally damaged initially due to postpartum then heat/flat iron damage on my edges abs throughout. I recently applied ‘let me be brand- protein soothing treatment as my hair dresser recommended it. Can I still take mcm to help regrow my edges and thinning hair and will it be a problem since I have protein treatment?
Please help. Totally desperate!
Thanks
Empy says
The MSM didn’t do that. The relaxer did. If you would’ve stopped relaxing, there would not have been an issue. Could’ve put your hair in braids or protective styling.
Reese says
Hi Liz, I hate to hear that. Sounds like you over processed your hair by putting relaxer from new growth to the ends. The previously relaxed hair was broken down twice. That is chemical damage not from the MSM. You now need rice water, Aphogee or Olaplex to bond, heal or strengthen your hair. Research which would be best for you.
You should also try a pre-poo treatment on your damaged hair if you don’t want to get it cut off. Try mixing 2 -4 tablespoons of olive oil, almond oil, jojoba oil or hemp oil with in your conditioner. Make sure it is a thick deep masque conditioner in a jar not a bottle. Massage the mixture on your scalp, new growth and all over your hair before shampooing. Cover your hair with a deep conditioning bag. Let it sit for 10 -20 minutes then shampoo . This will help the shampoo and conditioners not strip so much from your hair. Kind of like how we used to try to protect our hair from chlorine in the pool. Momma would slap Vaseline and Cholesterol cream in our hair. LOL!
Please check the labels on your shampoo and conditioner. See if they are sulfate free as well. Signed, A Cosmetology School Dropout.
Nancy says
Has anybody notice weight gain I’ve only started about 1 month Gain some bit sure if it’s msm.i take powder with vitamin c ?
Gibson Dana says
Yes.. every time I start on msm I gain weight so I won’t take it orally. Maybe if I put it in my conditioner I won’t experience the weight game
Kyla says
I learned that some capsulated MSM doses contain fillers that contribute to weight gain so it’s best to take it in crystal form. The pills are sometimes cheaper because it’s not the pure. Also, it’s best to take with Vitamin C & lots of water! I also recommend looking at some reviews on YouTube there’s some good testimonials on there with loads of helpful information!
Cathy Slawter says
Great answer! Thx.
Jamie says
I been taking MSM with Vitamin C for about a month now and haven’t had any issues with weight gain. In fact, I notice my stomach is less bloated, flatter and my skin is smoother, brighter. I put it in a 16 oz bottle of water and found it curbs my appetite as well, plus I’m actually drinking more water than usual. I even read somewhere that it curbs alcohol cravings, not sure about that yet and I’m still unsure about noticeable hair growth. But I’ve yet to increase my dosage so it may come in time.
Whitney Moore says
I’ve noticed some weight gain and it’s been two weeks now. I’m not mad at a little weight will not hurt.
Angel says
There is msm in this new hair product I’m trying. I love the product but the only bad part is it makes my scalp itch like crazy!!!! Is it possible I could be allergic or is it my hair growing?
Lauren says
Sulphur can burn ur scalo making it itch. I learned that wen i tried an onion juice treatment. It may have irritated ur scalp, causing the itch
Twist says
Itching is a side effect of msm. Some people itch, some don’t.
E. Woodall says
I started losing my hair 15 years ago after an operation to remove a noncancerous brain tumor on the top of my head. My hair began to get thinner and thinner. I wore wigs all these years until this year (2019). I went on the internet and learned that sulphur is the backbone of hair growth and started taking it. In three months I had more and more hair on my head and do not wear my drawer full of wigs anymore. I simply could not believe that my head is covered with hair and I have hair to wash. My hair is very fine but my head is covered with hair. What a blessing! I have told everyone about this that I meet anywhere that is losing their hair. So far, everyone has been really interested. I also noted on the internet the other day that sulphur had the word keratin out by the side of it. You may recognize the word keratin from the shampoo that is being sold over the counter in stores for hair loss. Anyway, it is almost October and I still have my hair. I will have my 89 year birthday on the 30th. I still take my 2 tablets of sulphur ever day. I wish all of you my good luck.
Gin says
What brand of MSM did you use and how many milligrams?
Autumn says
God bless you E.
Lovely story
Cheryl says
I would like to use it topically for my hair. Do I necessarily need to mix the bit c for it to be effective?
Sho_Goddess says
I wouldn’t recommend applying Vitamin C directly to hair, I did it & resulted in my hair being dry and matted feeling. I would either drop in some conditioner or take in orally.
Cathy Slawter says
Or use vinegar instead of vitamin c on hair.
nj says
can anyone tell me how to take msm at beginnin, iam really lost..your useful tips will be helpful
key says
Look up “Curly Proverbz” on Youtube -search her channel for MSM. She has very long hair and she uses MSM. When you start using MSM do not start with the recommended serving size; start with about an eighth or a quarter of what they state as the serving size then build up using more each week. Also, use equal parts vitamin C to boost the benefits of vitamin C. It’s important to start with a low dosage of MSM because too much at once may cause a headache, nausea and whatever side effects that are known. Also, drink plenty of water and stay away from alcohol – many people say they seem to get drunk faster when taking MSM. I usually just take mine in the evening before bed, but you may split it up by taking some first thing in the morning and some before bed. MSM powder tastes horrible.
Christine Barnes says
Thank you for the information. I watched her YouTube video but wasn’t sure of the timeframe to increase the dosage and when to combine the dosages into one. Do you have any suggestions?
Chris says
If I didn’t have any side effects, then I increased my dosage because that’s my body telling me that it can handle that dosage. If I had a migraine at a particular dosage, I kept that dosage until the migraines went away. Remember to drink plenty of liquids.
Therese says
I had been talking Adderall for ADHD. Recently It was changed over to Vivanse . I noticed about 3 months after starting Vivanse, huge amounts of hair began coming out in the shower. I mean I didn’t even lose this much hair during my cancer treatments. I was and am still horrified. I had a hell of a head full of hair. I can feel areas in the back of my head where I just have a few strands of hair are actually covering my scalp. The hair on my pillow could be donated for wig making, the hair on my sweaters and coats, send that too. The hair in the shower could coat two medium sized dogs. My hair is dry, and brittle even though I use oil. The strands are more than significantly thinner and weaker. I can go 2 or more weeks without shampooing, and I do, I’ve stopped brushing or coming my hair altogether to avoid losing any more. Will MSM help to grow my hair back? Or should I start wig shopping now??
Eman says
wow cant imagine how you must be feeling losing all that hair! i think you should start taking MSM, it has totally changed my hair growth game infact I cant even believe that my hair could actually this much in such a short period of time since I started taking it two months ago. you should definitely check out “curly proverbz” video sbout MSM on youtube, very informative. I wish you the best of luck
Diane says
Sounds like you may have some form of Alopecia which can be treated. Find a good Dermotologist that understands our hair. There are also a few you-tubers that beat alopecia naturally by treating the inflamation in the scalp.
Ayana says
Same here! Started taking adderall in September 2019 for my ADHD (10mg) anywhere from 3-5 days a week. I’ve noticed significant hair loss since then and have stopped taking it to regrow back the hair. Also noticed scalp inflammation too. I’ve been using Mielle’s Rosemary and Mint scalp oil and doing green tea rinses every other Sunday which has helped with the shedding but now I’m trying to regrow back the hair. Going to buy MSM tomorrow and put it in my green smoothies.
Adam says
This is not a good way to take it. Sulfur bonds very easily to anything around it, which is why filtered water is recommended, as well as taking on an empty stomach for best absorption. Get the crystals off Amazon, $40 for 1 lb ($65/2lbs, better deal). They dissolve completely in filtered water in seconds and are practically tasteless, especially after the first few days.
Niema says
Hi
I’m interested in using msm topically in my hair for hair growth. I did see curly proverbz however I don’t want to take it eternally because when I was a kid I had a good reaction to sulfur. Will this still
Be affective topically by spraying it in my scalp?
Cathy Slawter says
Are you sure Sulphur was what you reacted to as a child? I have severe allergy reaction to SULPHA drugs…which is not the same as the SULPHUR in MSM. Take a little MSM powder and mix it with water and rub on wrist..if no reaction, you should be ok..but start out with tiny dose to be sure. MSM actually HELPS allergic reactions.
Pam says
I once had very thick, healthy hair until I began to mistreat it about 20 years ago. Now it’s noticeably thinner and my edges are fading away. Of course, some of my most recent hair loss may be attributable to having had half of my thyroid removed 4 years ago. (No, thankfully, no cancer found.) So, I thought I’d give msm a try after finding curly proverbz on youtube. She speaks so enthusiastically of this supplement as an effective hair growth remedy in her youtube videos that the makers should pay her!! Anyway, my very 1st jar of msm powder arrived today. (I ordered it online via Amazon.) I just took 1 scoop of the recommended 3 scoop dosage. And, will probably take it only every other day to minimize the risk of headaches. I’m also thinking of looking up my old friend sulfur 8 to apply externally on my edges since sulfur is said to be the beneficial hair growth ingredient in msm. Maybe teaming its use with the msm will promote even more growth. Will report back around 3 months from now, bi’ithni.
Humna says
As per study I read MSM is really helpful for hair growth and I also ordered for me. Now what will be happened I’ll share soon In Shaa Allah. Hopefully it will be great for me
Catherine says
Where can I buy msm for my hair?
Cathy Slawter says
Just about any health store carries it. I buy mine on Amazon. Most brands are good Just avoid capsules that contain magnesium stearate and other harmful fillers. The MSM powder is much less expensive, lasts longer and has no fillers. It has a bit of a bitter taste. Mix it in orange juice…disguises flavor and absorbs better with the acidic juice that contains Vitsmin C. Easy to give to kids this way too.
Cathy Slawter says
I have taken MSM everyday for 25 years. In 25 years I have not had a single cold or flu. Its not a coincidence.
Dana says
I’ve used both MSM internally and externally. I mixed it in warm water and added essential oils on spray it on my scalp 4 times a week. It has changed the texture of my hair and made it more easier to comb. I’m a 4D if there ever was one. Now, my hair texture is a 3 b/c. I have seen growth, even in areas where I have spots. Perms are naturally drying chemicals, so you really have to moisturize and seal. I also put my hair in a plastic cap while I am in the shower.
Jee says
how can your hair texture change ? That’s not even possible
Angela Speed says
My hair texture has changed chemical free.
Pam Mack says
Jee, a relaxer or other chemicals such as using bonding glue for a long period of time, can indeed change the texture of your hair…When a person stop using those toxic chemicals that I mentioned above in their hair, the hair will gradually return to its normal texture. P.S. I stopped relaxing my hair years ago, and my curl pattern has return to its normal state.
Arun says
It is interesting to know more about MSM. There are benefits of using sulphur in your body. It is good for hair growth and bone. I started taking MSM a few months back. It had very good benefits for my hair. I am happy to know that it reduces arthritis, as well.
Geli says
Hi,
I am African and my hair is totally damaged initially due to postpartum then heat/flat iron damage on my edges abs throughout. I recently applied ‘let me be brand- protein soothing treatment as my hair dresser recommended it. Can I still take mcm to help regrow my edges and thinning hair and will it be a problem since I have protein treatment?
Please help. Totally desperate!
Thanks
j smith says
hi I’m taking msm for hair growth I take 1 teaspoon with vitamin c once a day but not sure if this is enough as I’m not seeing much hair growth. I also rub my hair with oils mixed with msm. Can I do this twice a day. I hve traction alopecia I have afro hair.
Toni Lynn Duke says
Can you just mix the msm crystals with plain tap water and place it on your scalp for hair growth? I have bleached blonde hair and am trying to repair the damage from it and just want to try something that might help regrow the hair I have lost from the bleaching.
Pam Mack says
Liz, please make it make sense sweetie, because what you stated is very confusing. This article is about MSM, but you’re talking about a relaxer which more than likely made your hair extremely dry, not the MSM supplement!…From what you stated earlier in your comment, seems like the MSM supplement is aiding in your hair growth, but you have to stop using the relaxer on your hair, because that’s the true culprit that’s damaging your hair.
Keeks says
I take the crystals, It purest versus the powered. $40 as mentioned above – it’s call Gold Standard Organic Sulfur sold on Amazon.
I melt in down in hair oil and quickly apply to my scalp as the crystals will form once the oil cool. I take it internally as well ( mix in bottle water sometimes twice a day) directions on packaging.
It’s been 3 mths and the crown of my head is filling in and I’ve notice strands are doubling in size.
I hope this was helpful.