Does biotin REALLY make your hair grow faster????
For years, biotin has widely been known as THE hair/skin/nail supplement. But is it REALLY???
Although many women and men have claimed to have increased hair growth by taking biotin supplements, experts and scientists don't seem to agree that biotin is effective in treating hair loss at all. That's right folks, there has not been enough conclusive evidence to support the claim that biotin grows hair OR nails for that matter.
But before you go tossing that brand new bottle of 5,000 mcg biotin pills down the toilet, let's explore this wonder supplement a bit more...
What is biotin?
Biotin is a natutally occurring, water soluable B-complex vitamin, also known as Vitamin B-7 or Vitamin H.
How does it work?
Biotin is utilized in many vital functions of the human body including cell growth/re-growth, the synthesis of fatty acids (including carbohydrates), and the metabolism of amino acids. Biotin also assists in helping the body convert food into energy, and in the transfer of carbon dioxide throughout the body. Intestinal bacteria naturally produce biotin, so biotin deficiencies are very rare.
What is biotin used for?
First and foremost, biotin is used to treat biotin deficiencies (usually associated with pregnancies since our bodies produce biotin naturally), malnutrition and rapid weight loss. Biotin is also used to treat hair loss, brittle nails, skin rash in infants and some mild forms of depression.
How did biotin get the reputation as THE hair/skin/nail vitamin?
The main reason that biotin has gained the reputation it has is because symptoms of biotin deficiency include hair loss, excessive dry skin and weak, brittle nails. Further, there is evidence that supports that biotin deficient patients who began supplementing the vitamin reestablished hair growth.
Side-effects of biotin
There are no known scientific side effects of biotin even when taken in high dosages, however, many members of hair growing communities claim that biotin increases skin break-outs. If side effects do occur, lowering the dosage you are taking should correct the problem.
So shoud you or shouldn't you be taking biotin as a regular part of your hair growing regimen?
Well, that's up to you...the bottom line is that, unless you are pregnant or malnutritioned you are not likely to need to supplement biotin. Taking biotin orally as a part of your regular hair growing regimen can't hurt, but there is not enough scientific evidence that supports it will help hair growth in healthy individuals. Further, experts and scientists pretty much agree that applying biotin as a topical agent is pretty much useless since biotin does not penetrate the skin - well IF it does, it isn't done easily.
Check out LHDC's Guide to Hair Friendly Supplements
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