How long can you take silica for? Your comprehensive guide

November 25, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research published by the National Institutes of Health, the body efficiently eliminates excess water-soluble silica within hours, making it unlikely to accumulate in healthy individuals. This fact helps clarify the crucial question of how long can you take silica for and whether long-term supplementation is safe.

Quick Summary

Oral silica supplementation is generally safe for healthy individuals and can be taken long-term to maintain benefits for hair, skin, and nails. Results often appear after several months of consistent use. Certain groups should exercise caution.

Key Points

Long-term Safety: Oral silica supplements are generally considered safe for long-term use in healthy individuals, as the body efficiently excretes excess amounts.
Time to See Benefits: Visible improvements in hair, skin, and nails typically require consistent supplementation for several months, with studies noting results after 3 to 9 months.
Oral vs. Inhaled Silica: Significant health risks like silicosis are associated with inhaling crystalline silica dust in industrial settings, not with ingesting food-grade oral silica.
Collagen and Keratin Support: Silica helps support the body's production of collagen and keratin, which are essential for the strength and elasticity of hair, skin, and nails.
Precautions for Certain Groups: Individuals with kidney disease, pregnant women, and children should avoid silica supplements due to potential accumulation or lack of safety data.
Consistency is Key: To maintain the benefits of silica, ongoing, consistent supplementation is needed, as the effects will cease if you stop taking it.

Understanding the Duration of Silica Supplementation

For many, silica supplements are a part of a daily regimen for healthier hair, skin, and nails. Unlike a medication taken for a short-term illness, silica is a mineral, and its benefits are often cumulative and sustained through ongoing use. The question of how long can you take silica for is best answered by considering your health goals and individual circumstances.

The Relationship Between Silica and Body Renewal

Silica, or silicon dioxide, is a trace mineral that supports the body's production of collagen and keratin. Since these proteins are continuously produced and repaired, maintaining a consistent intake of silica allows for the sustained structural support of connective tissues, hair, and nails. As your body does not store silica, the benefits you experience from supplementation will diminish if you stop taking it, much like with beneficial vitamins.

Skin: Collagen production declines with age. Continuous silica intake helps provide the building blocks for collagen, improving skin elasticity and texture.
Hair: Silica contributes to the strength of hair strands by supporting keratin production and nutrient delivery to hair follicles. Consistent supplementation over several months can lead to thicker hair and reduced breakage.
Nails: Those with soft or brittle nails may see improvements in strength over time, as silica helps fortify nail beds.

Timeframe for Visible Results

Scientific studies provide insight into the duration needed to see meaningful results from silica supplementation. Patience and consistency are key, as body renewal processes take time.

Skin improvements: One study showed women with sun-damaged skin experienced positive changes in skin surface and elasticity after 20 weeks (about 5 months) of daily silicon supplementation.
Hair strengthening: Another study found women with fine hair had stronger, thicker hair after taking a bioavailable form of silica for nine months.
Nail health: Similar to hair, improvements in nail brittleness were noted in the same 20-week study that focused on skin health.
Bone health: Combining silica with calcium and vitamin D showed beneficial effects on bone collagen after 12 months in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Most brand protocols and study timelines suggest committing to a period of 3 to 9 months to assess the full benefits, with ongoing supplementation recommended for maintenance.

Long-Term Safety of Oral Silica Supplements

For healthy individuals, the oral intake of silica supplements is generally considered safe for long-term use.

Water-Soluble Forms: The most commonly used silica supplements contain water-soluble forms of silicon, such as orthosilicic acid (OSA). These are efficiently absorbed and any excess is naturally eliminated by the kidneys within 4 to 8 hours.
Low Toxicity: Animal and human studies have shown no significant toxic effects from oral silicon intake, even at levels far exceeding normal dietary intake.
FDA Regulation: In the United States, the FDA regulates silicon dioxide as a food additive, with specific limits to ensure its safety for consumption.

It is crucial to distinguish between oral silica supplements and the occupational hazard of inhaling crystalline silica dust, which is linked to severe and irreversible lung diseases like silicosis. This risk is not associated with ingesting high-purity, food-grade silica supplements.

Important Considerations and Cautions

While generally safe, silica supplements are not suitable for everyone. Certain individuals should exercise caution or avoid them altogether:

Kidney Disease: Those with compromised kidney function should avoid silica supplements, as their kidneys may not be able to excrete excess silica effectively, leading to accumulation.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: A lack of robust safety data means pregnant and breastfeeding women should typically avoid silica supplements unless directed by a healthcare provider.
Children: Silica supplements, particularly those derived from horsetail, should be avoided by children due to potential safety concerns and lack of data.
Type 2 Diabetes: Horsetail-based silica supplements may cause hypoglycemia in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Allergies: Allergic reactions, such as skin rashes or upset stomach, may occur with horsetail supplements.

Consulting a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement is always recommended, especially for those with pre-existing medical conditions.

Comparison Table: Oral Silica Sources


Feature	Silica Supplements	Silica-Rich Foods	Horsetail Extract (Supplement)
Bioavailability	Often formulated for high absorption (e.g., OSA, colloidal silica).	Variable depending on the food source.	Can provide a bioavailable form of silica but may contain other compounds.
Concentration	Standardized doses for consistent intake.	Natural concentrations vary.	Can have high concentrations, but potential for side effects exists.
Safety Profile	Generally very safe for healthy individuals orally.	Extremely safe, no known risk from dietary intake.	Potential for minor side effects and contraindications.
Intake Method	Capsules, tablets, or liquid drops.	Incorporating foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables.	Capsules or liquids.
Speed of Results	May show results more quickly due to higher, consistent dosage.	Slower, with more gradual benefits.	Results comparable to other supplements but with more caution needed.

Conclusion: A Long-Term Beauty Mineral

For most healthy adults, supplementing with oral silica is a safe practice for the long term. The body does not build up a reserve of the mineral, so consistent, daily intake is the strategy for maintaining benefits related to collagen and keratin production. Expect to commit to at least 3 to 9 months before observing noticeable improvements in hair, skin, and nails. Always differentiate the safety of food-grade, oral silica from the severe dangers of inhaling industrial crystalline silica dust. If you have any underlying health issues, particularly kidney disease, or are pregnant, a conversation with a doctor is essential before beginning supplementation. For those with a clean bill of health, silica can serve as a supportive 'beauty mineral' for years to come.

For more detailed scientific information on the role of silicon in human health, you can refer to review articles available from reputable medical sources such as the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, for most healthy individuals, taking oral silica supplements daily over a long period is considered safe. The body does not store excess silica, and it is efficiently excreted by the kidneys.

If you stop taking silica, you will slowly cease to experience the benefits as your body’s levels return to where they were before supplementation began. The improvements to hair, skin, and nails are not permanent.

Based on clinical studies, it can take anywhere from 20 weeks to 9 months of consistent supplementation to see noticeable results for hair strength and thickness, and for reduced nail brittleness.

Yes, there is a major difference. The serious health risks like silicosis come from inhaling crystalline silica dust in occupational settings. Oral silica supplements are a safe, food-grade form of the mineral.

Silica supplements should be avoided by individuals with kidney disease, pregnant women, and children. Those taking horsetail-based silica should be aware of potential side effects and interactions.

Yes, you can obtain silica from dietary sources like whole grains, leafy greens, and vegetables. However, the concentration can be inconsistent, and supplements are often formulated for higher bioavailability.

Oral silica has a very low risk of toxicity and overdose, as excess amounts are simply flushed from the body. Studies have shown no adverse effects from high doses in healthy subjects.