MSM for hair, skin and nails

Article authored by: Yvette Selinder

The forgotten nutrient

What is MSM (Methyl Sulfonyl Methane)?

MSM is the biologically active form of sulphur – MSM contains about 34% pure sulphur – and it is found naturally in plankton, animals, plants and humans. So we need MSM, we are partly made of it!

MSM evaporates from plankton in the oceans, rises into the atmosphere and then falls into soils where it is taken up by plants eaten by grazing animals. As long as we didn’t destroy the soil with pesticides, fertilizers and lock up our animals in large production facilities, we got it with our diet and both humans and animals were healthier 100-150 years ago than they are today.

Sulphur is present in all body tissues and MSM is an important component in the production of amino acids and proteins and in a variety of other processes which are discussed below. For example, all horse owners know to give their horses MSM and it is added to both horse and dog feed. Veterinarians recommend it as they know it is very important for their joints, coat, digestion and immune system – but I have never, ever heard of a doctor in Sweden recommending MSM to their patients.

As I said, it used to occur naturally in our soils and therefore in everything that grew there – MSM is (or was) found in the meat and milk of grass-fed cows, sheep and goats. Unpasteurized milk from grass-fed cows is the largest source of natural MSM, but as we know, that kind of milk is not easy to come by anymore…. What little MSM is left in our food is destroyed by heating, freezing and microwaving!

MSM and your health

A lack of MSM can also lead to a lack of other substances in the body as MSM increases the absorption and metabolism of amino acids and B vitamins, including biotin, which is particularly important for stopping hair loss and increasing growth. MSM is a building block for protein and is important for making the collagen needed for mucous membranes, skin, hair and nails and everything that holds us together – joints, cartilage, ligaments and muscles. MSM also helps the body get rid of excess calcium – very important for keeping our vessels and arteries clean and elastic so the heart doesn’t have to work twice as hard.

Many people who have started taking MSM as a dietary supplement have seen their hair and skin regain its luster and their nails stop breaking and splitting. It is also one of the most effective supplements for increasing mobility and softening stiff, aching joints.
MSM is anti-inflammatory (all disease starts with inflammation…) and acts as a powerful antioxidant. It can also reduce scar tissue and, as mentioned, contribute to healthier blood vessels and arteries and support blood circulation.

MSM for hair

Our hair, skin and nails are made up of keratin, which contains cysteine, a sulphur-containing amino acid. MSM is an important source of sulphur, potentially strengthening hair.

You can use MSM powder directly on your scalp by mixing it with shampoo, hair creams or conditioners.

Your body may not be getting enough sulphur or MSM from your diet, so MSM supplements may be a good idea.

Premature gray hair and hair loss

MSM is also said to prevent premature graying of hair. Many years ago when I discovered MSM myself, I had an elderly colleague who told me that her gray hair regained its original color after taking MSM supplements for a few months! Another woman who underwent cancer treatment got her beautiful, thick hair back afterwards with the help of MSM supplements.

Immune defense/detoxification

MSM also increases our own production of the super antioxidant Glutathione – a substance needed for our immune system when we are exposed to bacteria, viruses, candida or parasitic infestations or if we have ingested toxic food, fungi or other toxic substances. Glutathione in tablet or capsule form is not absorbed very efficiently, so increasing the body’s own production by using another substance, MSM, which is really easily absorbed is much more effective! In severe cases of poisoning, glutathione is used intravenously in emergency care, at least in other countries, proving its importance in detoxification.

Skin problems, irritated eyes

A few years ago I also discovered the benefits of using MSM topically, for example in eye rinses for irritated, foggy and red eyes (filtered boiled water, MSM and unrefined sea salt) and in skin care products. That it is used in other parts of the world in eye rinses has been confirmed recently when I found a lot of information explaining how good MSM works for the eyes and also found ready-made eye drops with MSM online. For skin care, you can also dissolve MSM in Aloe Veragelé (which consists of water to a large extent) and apply to wounds, burns, itchy eczema and in an irritated scalp. It is also possible to mix the various MSM solutions into your favorite cream or body lotion – something I have recommended to customers with various skin problems for several years and they have been super happy with the results!

Some researchers claim that MSM topically on the scalp can also reduce hair loss so maybe a good idea to take it both internally and externally if you want to keep your hair!

MSM benefits the whole body, good for detox and detoxifies the liver!

MSM is of great benefit to the whole person – through its ability to increase the permeability of our cells, it also increases nutrient absorption and thus well-being! The same “softening” effect in the cell wall also helps the cells to get rid of unwanted waste products, toxins and heavy metals – a constant process that can otherwise be stressful for the whole organism. With MSM, the cells work more efficiently, and we feel and look better.
MSM has been shown to make a big difference in various liver diseases and can help repair a damaged liver both by detoxifying, building new healthy tissue and also preventing hardening of the liver as MSM softens the cell tissue. MSM can be used together with the most well-known plants for a healthy and well-functioning liver:

Milk thistle
Artichoke
Turmeric

The recommended dose for liver disease is significantly higher than those we recommend here and should of course be followed up by a knowledgeable doctor/naturopath. Approximately 10,000 mg or more/day divided into two doses. A case mentioned in the book “MSM Uncovered” tells of a man who suffered from Hepatitis C for 25 years who repaired his liver to 100% in 15 months by taking two tablespoons of MSM/day. Anyone who wants and needs high doses should always start low and increase the dose slowly. The same dose and the same plants that are recommended for the liver are also used to prevent other diseased cells from multiplying and causing problems in the body.

Allergies and Histamine

If you are hypersensitive to histamine and suffer from allergies, it is well worth trying MSM as it is both histamine suppressive and anti-inflammatory. Many people cope much better with the pollen season after adding MSM to their daily routine. A dietary supplement like Hairforce, which contains several synergists (C, B, Magnesium and Zinc for example) to MSM, benefits in many more ways than boosting hair growth, beautiful skin and strong nails!

MSM is an excellent supplement for strengthening hair, skin and nails. If you want to read more about how MSM can help your hair, check out our article on hair loss and supplements.

Some tips on how you can use pure MSM (powder)

Simple eye wash

Bring 3.5 dl of filtered or spring water to the boil, leave to cool slightly and pour into a well-cleaned glass jar (rinse it first with boiling water to remove any detergent residue). First stir in 1 level teaspoon of unrefined sea salt, such as Tiefen Salz from Germany or Celtic Sea Salt. When the solution has cooled further, stir in 1½ tsp of MSM powder. When everything is dissolved, the solution is ready to use – either directly from the jar or pour into a glass bottle with a pipette, bathe or rinse your eyes morning and evening or as needed. I myself pour the solution over two organic cotton pads and bathe my eyes with it, in the refrigerator it keeps for many days. IF you have the opportunity to add 1 tbsp of pure Xylitol to the solution, it can feel even better for irritated eyes. Birch sugar cuts the biofilm around bacteria, fungi and viruses that we are exposed to daily – more about Xylitol (Birch sugar) in another article!

Simple solution for skin care

Boil 5 dl of filtered water or spring water, pour it into a well-cleaned glass jar as above – let cool a little and first stir in 1msp sea salt until it dissolves. When it has cooled further, stir in 1½-2msk MSM powder and a good dollop of Aloe Veragelé – ready to use in, for example, a spray bottle to spray over the skin / scalp after showering or use to dilute your body lotion (about 1 part solution and 5 parts lotion).

MSM in a food supplement – Hairforce – how do I start?

One tablet of Hairforce contains 320 mg MSM, which is a good dose to start with if you are sensitive or burdened by, for example, medication and/or long periods of poor diet or constipation. Gradually increase to 4 tablets daily, preferably divided into two occasions and always in connection with meals. Then you can advantageously buy MSM powder and add to your daily routines together with Hairforce to give yourself a real beauty boost – about 1500mg (1-2 spice measures) 2-3 times a day dissolved in water together with C-vit as described below.

Synergists, how to increase the effect of MSM?

To optimize the effect of MSM, you can rinse down your MSM supplement with a glass of water where you have added vitamin C in some natural form, such as freshly squeezed lemon or Camu-Camu powder, as it increases the oxygen to the cells even more effectively. MSM works very well with vitamin C and basic minerals (all found in Hairforce), it is water soluble and completely non-toxic!

Hairforce contains MSM (and much more)

Hairforce contains 1280 mg of MSM per daily dose (if you take all four tablets per day as normally recommended). This is a good and adequate dose for most people, and more than this is rarely needed.

No other dietary supplement for hair, skin and nails contains so much MSM.
Hairforce contains not only MSM, but a combination of minerals and vitamins, including vitamin C and other substances that increase the effect of MSM.

You can find Hairforce here.