How & Why You Should use Biotin for Hair Growth

Table Of Content

• The Scientific Evidence Supporting Biotin for Hair Growth
• What are the benefits of biotin?
• The Only Dry Shampoo That Revives My Hair After A 10-Mile Run (& Doesn’t Add A Gritty Texture)
• The Healthiest Thyroid Patients Have These 11 Things In Common
• Proceed with Caution: Biotin Side Effects and Considerations

“Apply the serum to a small spot on the scalp for a few days to ensure that there is no irritation before applying it more broadly,” says Dr. Mirmirani. “A measured approach is best.” To that end, get comfortable with the fact that you’ll need to be both consistent and patient in your usage, as the results can take time. I’ve spent the last 8 years of my life reading, researching, and helping people with thyroid problems, hormone imbalances, and weight loss resistance.

The Scientific Evidence Supporting Biotin for Hair Growth

However, due to the rarity of this deficiency, the authors concluded that these supplements aren’t effective for the general population (9). As board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, explains, biotin is a B complex vitamin that’s thought to be involved in hair and nail growth. You can find biotin in a wide variety of foods—from chicken, eggs, seafood, soy products, and seeds to beans, peas, lentils, and many nuts. According to Mount Sinai dermatology, biotin is needed in order to metabolize carbohydrates, fats, and amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. Food is one of several factors that can contribute to hair loss and regrowth.

What are the benefits of biotin?

Whether you got a haircut you think is a little too short, are dealing with damage from bleach and hair dye, or your hair has just thinned with age, you might be looking for ways to boost hair growth. Biotin has been promised to help with hair loss, thinning hair, and all around hair health. Let us help you separate fact from fiction so you achieve healthier hair right at home. A study published in 2015 found that women with thinning hair experienced some reduction in shedding after taking an oral marine protein supplement for 90 days. However, biotin was only one ingredient in this supplement, and the research was sponsored by a company that sells health and beauty products. "You could have hypothyroidism, you could have lupus, you could have iron deficiency, you could have zinc deficiency, you could have vitamin D deficiency," says Samolitis.

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The Only Dry Shampoo That Revives My Hair After A 10-Mile Run (& Doesn’t Add A Gritty Texture)

In an older 2012 study, women with self-perceived thinning hair were randomized to receive either a multi-ingredient hair growth supplement that contained biotin or a placebo for 6 months (4). Despite these claims, though, there’s limited evidence to suggest that supplementing with biotin or lathering it through your hair promotes hair growth in non-deficient people. While studies such as these may be a starting point for further research, there is not enough evidence to show collagen supplementation promotes hair growth in humans. Besides this review, there appear to be no clinical studies on biotin supplements and male hair thinning, though there are some studies in women (12).

However, keep in mind that dietary supplements are not regulated the way drugs are in the United States. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Biotin's greatest claim to fame is its purported ability to strengthen hair and nails. Most support for these claims is anecdotal, but there is some promising scientific evidence, too. One potential risk of taking biotin supplements is that it may interfere with getting accurate results from blood tests. Some biotin supplements contain 2,500 mcg or more, which is significantly higher than the suggested dose for most adults.

In some participants, a high dose taken three times daily reduced symptoms after 9 months of use. Medical professionals need more studies before they can confirm biotin’s effects on blood sugar. Several studies have tested biotin’s ability to lower blood glucose in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. If you have any unusual symptoms while taking a supplement, stop using it immediately and be sure to make an appointment with your doctor ASAP. Additionally, biotin has been shown to interfere with some lab results, so be sure to tell your physician you're taking the supplement before getting any bloodwork done.

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It’s important to understand what’s causing your hair loss, but this can take some detective work. Dr. Bergfeld says dermatologists start with a thorough physical exam. They consider not just your diet, but your exercise habits and family history as well. Then, they review your medications (because some can cause hair loss) and bloodwork.

Believe it or not, you may be already getting a decent dose without knowing it. For now, there isn’t enough research to definitively state that biotin can help grow hair. This content is strictly the opinion of Dr. Westin Childs and is for educational and information purposes only.

May support nervous system function

However, additional supplementation may be necessary during pregnancy or if a person has a biotin deficiency. If you plan to take a supplement with biotin, let your doctor know before having any blood tests done since the vitamin can interfere with certain lab test results. Yet, some conditions, lifestyle habits, and medications can cause low levels. Therefore, always let your doctor know of any supplements you take or plan to take that contain biotin. People who take certain classes of medications like antiepileptics and retinoids are also at risk of a biotin deficiency (9).

Energy drinks and sugary snacks may be louder, sweeter, and faster-acting than natural sources of sugar, but rarely are those benefits conferred without some form of reckoning down the road. However, there is evidence that taking biotin can be beneficial for those experiencing a biotin deficiency. The FDA reported an increase in adverse effects due to falsely high or low results. A high concentration of biotin in samples can compromise diagnostic tests in which biotin is a key component.

Collagen supplements contain amino acids (the building blocks of protein). They may also contain additional nutrients such as vitamin C, zinc, or biotin. Though sales are skyrocketing, only limited research supports taking biotin supplements for hair growth — especially in men.

While certain thyroid disorders and diseases can negatively impact the health of our hair and nails, sometimes it’s just plain old aging, poor diet, or even stress. However, human trials have not supported the efficacy of many of these remedies for this purpose. Biotin deficiencies are rare, so research into their symptoms is limited. However, a few studies have suggested causal links between biotin deficiency and some conditions. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not have a daily recommended dietary allowance for biotin. However, according to estimates, an intake of 30 micrograms (mcg) may be adequate.

As long as you are taking 5,000mcg of biotin with other nutrients you shouldn’t experience any issues with hair loss. If you aren’t sure where to start then I recommend that you start with a combination hair regrowth supplement that contains biotin and other nutrients. It’s also worth pointing out that taking excessively high doses of biotin (without other nutrients) can actually make hair loss worse. Hypothyroidism ALSO tends to cause iron deficiency and deficiency in other nutrients such as B vitamins (up to 50% of hypothyroid patients are also vitamin B12 deficient).

One thing we really love about this supplement is the delicious berry flavor. It goes down smoothly and tastes great, making it a pleasant addition to our daily routine. Plus, the liquid form makes it easy to swallow and digest, without any of the hassle of pills or powders. We've been using Ethereal Nature Biotin Hair Oil for a few weeks now and have noticed a difference in how our hair looks and feels.

(In other words, excess amounts are simply excreted via the urine11.) But as with any supplement, it's important to check with your doctor before taking biotin. This will ensure the supplement won't interact with medications or other aspects of your health routine. Also, in some cases, high doses of biotin may affect hormone levels, including those related to healthy thyroid function15. Let your doctor know if you've been taking biotin, especially if you need routine hormone tests. More research is needed, but there is also some evidence that biotin may improve symptoms of peripheral neuropathy and help people with diabetes gain control of their blood sugar.