For anyone experiencing hair loss, it’s not just a cosmetic issue — it’s a visible signal of aging that can affect confidence and well-being. For some, it starts with a receding hairline or a widening part; for others, it’s a general awareness that their hair isn’t as full, thick, strong, or fast-growing as it used to be.
Both men and women experience age-related hair loss due to a range of factors, including hormones, genetics, and cellular decline. Now, longevity researchers are exploring whether targeting aging at the cellular level with compounds like nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) could also support healthier hair.
You may already know NMN as a powerful precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). But what does research say about NMN and hair loss? The science reveals some encouraging answers about NMN’s role in protecting hair and targeting the root causes of hair loss. To understand how NMN might help, it’s important to look at how it functions — and why NAD+, the molecule it helps produce, plays such a central role in healthy aging. Let’s explore the connection and how NOVOS Boost fits into the picture.
What Is NMN and How Does It Work?
NMN is a naturally occurring compound that helps your body produce NAD+, a molecule essential for generating cellular energy, repairing DNA, and maintaining overall metabolic health.
NAD+ is involved in hundreds of biological reactions that keep cells functioning properly. But as we age, NAD+ levels drop. A review in Experimental Gerontology points to several likely causes, including increased NAD+ consumption by enzymes like CD38 and PARPs, reduced synthesis, and shifts in the cellular environment.
This decline in NAD+ is linked with:
- Lower mitochondrial energy output
- Impaired DNA repair
- Greater oxidative stress and inflammation
- Reduced stem cell activity
As we discuss below, these shifts play a major role in age-related hair thinning.
How Aging Affects the Hair and Scalp
As with all skin, the skin of the scalp ages. Over time, it loses elasticity, accumulates damage, and undergoes structural changes that can interfere with the hair growth process.
Several biological processes contribute to hair loss with age:
- Hormonal changes, such as high levels of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), can lead to hair loss over time.
- Oxidative stress damages cellular structures within the follicles, leading to weaker hair and shorter growth cycles.
- Stem cell depletion limits the follicle’s ability to regenerate.
- Mitochondrial dysfunction reduces the energy available for follicular activity.
- Cellular senescence, where aging cells stop dividing but remain active, releases inflammatory signals that impair the surrounding tissue.
Together, these aging-related changes disrupt the natural hair growth cycle, leading to thinning, reduced density, and slower regrowth. As noted in a review published in Experimental Dermatology, the aging of scalp skin closely mirrors the aging seen in sun-exposed skin. Evidence suggests that as the scalp ages, so does the hair follicle, impacting its function and structure. With these changes come shorter growth cycles, weaker strands, and fewer active follicles.
Can NMN Reverse Hair Loss?
So, does NMN help with hair loss? Research suggests it may help, particularly by protecting the cellular environment of aging hair follicles.
In Vivo Findings
A 2024 study published in Molecules explored how NMN might protect against hair loss caused by DHT. Researchers applied NMN topically to mice whose hair had been thinned due to DHT exposure. Mice treated with NMN regrew fuller, healthier hair than untreated controls.
Researchers noted similar regrowth patterns to those seen with minoxidil, a common over-the-counter hair loss treatment, although the study didn’t directly compare how the two work at a molecular level.
In Vitro Findings
In lab-grown human hair follicle cells exposed to DHT, NMN demonstrated several protective effects:
- Reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, in NMN-treated cells
- Inhibited the NF-κB pathway, a major regulator of inflammation and cellular stress responses.
- Downregulated AR and DKK-1 expression, two DHT-responsive genes linked to hair follicle miniaturization
- Upregulated β-catenin and VEGF, both associated with hair follicle growth and angiogenesis
Key Takeaways
This study shows that NMN may do more than boost NAD+ — it could also help protect and support the health of hair follicles, especially when they’re under stress from aging or hormones. While the research so far includes mice and lab-grown cells, not large human trials, it gives us a good reason to keep exploring NMN’s role in hair health.
Choosing the Right NMN Supplement for Hair and Longevity
With NMN’s growing popularity, quality and formulation matter more than ever. Poorly manufactured NMN can degrade quickly or contain impurities that reduce its effectiveness.
NOVOS Boost stands out as a high-quality NMN supplement that is:
- Third-party tested for purity and potency
- Formulated by longevity researchers, with precise dosing
- Free from unnecessary additives or fillers
- Scientifically aligned with the latest NAD+ research
In short, NOVOS Boost supports mitochondrial health, stem cell function, and systemic aging pathways — all of which influence the health and activity of hair follicles.
The Holistic Approach
NMN may support follicular function, but for lasting results, it’s wise to pair supplements with a broader longevity lifestyle.
- Nutrition: Antioxidant-rich diets reduce oxidative stress and supply the nutrients follicles need to thrive.
- Sleep: Quality sleep promotes tissue repair and hormonal balance.
- Exercise: Regular cardiovascular and strength training boost circulation and stimulate mitochondrial activity.
- Stress management: Taking steps to reduce chronic stress can slow the aging process and regulate hair growth.
To understand how NMN fits into a more comprehensive longevity strategy, explore the NOVOS Webinar Series on Supplements, where experts break down the science of aging and prevention.
Final Thoughts on NMN and Hair Loss
Hair thinning may be a normal part of aging, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do about it. While the research is still evolving, NMN shows promise as a supplement that supports the systems your hair depends on — including cellular energy, inflammation control, and follicle regeneration.
Here’s what research suggests:
- Hair loss is often linked to age-related changes in hormones, inflammation, and stem cell exhaustion.
- NAD+ levels decline with age, and this drop can affect hair follicle health.
- NMN helps restore NAD+ and may support healthier, more resilient follicles, especially under stress from hormones like DHT.
- Studies in mice and lab-grown hair cells show that NMN may reduce inflammation, protect follicle structure, and promote growth signaling.
If you’re looking for a science-based way to support your hair — and your long-term health — NMN may be worth considering. But it’s most powerful when combined with a full longevity strategy.
Explore the full range of NOVOS longevity solutions designed to help you age better, inside and out, with supplements that target the root causes of aging.
