MSM is short for Methylsulfonylmethane. It is a sulphuric compound found in plants and some foods. MSM is a dietary supplement often marketed to treat or prevent join pain. It’s popular in the hair care community because sulphur is important to hair and skin health.

I’ve taken MSM and MSM blends for years. I have a lot of knee pain most likely due to playing sports growing up. My worst nightmare used to be sitting on a plane for hours with my knees locked in one position. I took Osteo Bi-Flex for a while then switched to 1000 mg of MSM. I don’t take them often, nor did I take them for hair growth or health.

For a few months, I took 1- 1000mg pill a day consistently. I did notice huge differences in my hair. My body hair specifically was much less coarse. When my leg hair grew in, for instance, it was soft and I did not feel the hard stumble I normally have. I also noticed regrowth (of my leg hair) very quickly- within 24 hours. When I noticed how fine my body hair was growing in, I cut back on the MSM. If it had those effects on my body hair it would have done the same to the hair on my head. I already have extremely fine hair and I don’t need it to grow in any finer. If you have coarse hair maybe the effects wouldn’t worry you. I do think it’s a great supplement for joint pain but I won’t be taking this for hair or skin health.