The self care and beauty industry has blossomed in a way it never had before. Smaller aisles at your local retailer(s) have now expanded, taking up much more space with the amount of products and dedicated resources there is now. You’ll find that there’s pretty much a product for every kind of “problem” out there. And we put “problem” in quotes because although the TikTok algorithm wants you to believe you “have to be doing x to get rid of y” or “do this to improve this”, most of the time the best things you can do for yourself is find what you want to express and accentuate, not what others tell you to.
Plus a lot of the time those videos will lead you to buying things that don’t actually do the things the beauty influencers tell you it does. Nothing grinds our gears more like false information, especially when it comes to things we know so much about: supplements.
For instance, many have said taking biotin is a miracle for your hair, skin, and nail health and growth, but does it target your eyelashes as well? In the past we’ve seen if it works for beard growth, and now we decided to break down what the supplement is, how it really helps us, and to answer the question you came to ask: does biotin help with eyelash growth?
- What is Biotin and How does it Affect the Body?
- Does Biotin Help with Eyelash Growth?
- Tips and Tricks for Eyelash Growth
- Biotin’s Positives and Negatives
- Where to get a Reliable Biotin-like Supplement
Dr. Emil knows that everyone’s body is different, what works for some, may not work for others. It’s all about finding the right balance for you. So keep that in mind as you read on about biotin, its effects on eyelashes, and the body as a whole.
What is Biotin and How does it affect the body?
Biotin is a B vitamin, specifically vitamin B7, and its main function is to help the body’s enzymes break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. The vitamin also is a helping hand in other metabolic bodily processes which makes its role an important one in our day-to-day lives. It’s a resource in creating glucose and specific fatty acids which helps with your energy levels, which can of course affect things like exercise, work, and other activities involving x amount of necessary energy.
Biotin is most commonly found in foods like fish, soy, bananas, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, and eggs, but it also is a hugely popular supplement. Most of the time those foods, amongst others not listed, will be enough for you to get your body’s needed “dose” of biotin, but there are some rarer cases of biotin deficiency which can be found through symptoms like thinning hair and a “burning” feeling in the hands and feet.
OUR TIP: It is important for anyone who’s considering taking any kind of supplement or vitamin, not just biotin, to talk to your doctor or a trusted healthcare professional. Even more so if you are already taking a medication that could directly influence said supplement. By consulting a professional they can take in account current or future blood tests and give you the best advice on dosages tailored to your specific needs.
But biotin’s biggest drawing factor isn’t about its part in breaking down “fatty acids, glucose and amino acids,” its advertisements usually lean towards its effects on our hair, skin, and nails.
Why?
Well, remember when we mentioned biotin deficiency causing thinning hair a moment ago? Many have taken that to mean it can be a strengthening tool as well, but as of right now there is no conclusive evidence regarding that claim. Registered dietitian Courtney Delpra, RD, LD stated that “No studies have proven that biotin supplements will change the appearance of your hair, skin or nails, but some people will tell you that taking a biotin supplement helps them boost hair and nail growth.”
Word of mouth of positive improvements regarding biotin as a strengthener for hair, skin, and nails has spread like wild fire and many have taken to forums to swear by its magical properties. As you don’t exceed your daily dosage of the vitamin you can take the supplement to potentially improve your hair, skin, and nail’s strength.
Does Biotin Help with Eyelash Growth?
Just like other parts of your body hair, eyelashes go through various stages of growth:
- Anagen Phase, also known as the “active growth” stage and “about 40 percent of your lashes are in this phase at any given time. Once a lash reaches its maximum length, growth stops.” This happens over a period of a little over a month, typically 30 to 40 days, which means when it comes to reshaping and wanting to improve your eyelash growth, you must learn to be patient.
- Catagen Phase, also known as the “transition” phase is when the hair follicle stops growing and stays at its maximum length until it either falls out or is pulled out, accidentally or on purpose. This phase lasts a little less than a month, or two to three weeks.
- Telogen Phase, also known as the “resting” phase is when your eyelash is in, essentially, purgatory, waiting for the new hair follicle to eventually push through and cause the current eyelash to fall out.
- Exogen Phase, most commonly looped as a part of the Telogen Phase is also known as the “shedding” phase is when that baby hair follicle is long enough to push the older eyelash to fallout and begin the whole process anew. These two directly linked phases can take weeks.
Fun Fact: Everyone has about 100-200 lashes on their top lid and 75-100 on their lower lid, but thickness and length varies.
Your eyelashes are all at different parts in the growth cycle constantly, and each of these stages we just learned takes a lot more time then you might have initially thought, which makes taking supplements like biotin or adding serums to your regime will be a waiting game.
There are many things that affect lash growth, most commonly is genetics, age, health, and external excess product use- (remember sometimes too much of a “good” thing can be bad).
Now that we know what biotin is, what it does for the body, and a little about the myths surrounding its effects on our hair, skin, and nails, we can go into why you’re here. Does biotin help with eyelash growth?
The short answer: It’s unlikely for biotin to make any real noticeable effect.
The longer answer you’re looking for: Just like the research regarding whether biotin really does promote hair growth, nail strength, and skin health, is limited and “shaky” at best, the research involving eyelash growth is even more so. If you do not have a biotin deficiency or something similar in regards that biotin will provide useful benefits as told by a doctor, it’s unlikely you will see any real eyelash growth from taking biotin supplements. As we said above, eyelashes are mostly affected by genetics and biotin can’t change your DNA.
Though that’s not to say there hasn’t been reported cases of stronger eyelashes through biotin supplements, but not enough proper studies have been done to give a conclusive answer on the subject.
Tips and Tricks for Eyelash Growth
Although biotin may not hold the key for guaranteed eyelash growth, there are other methods to help your eyelash journey.
- Castor Oil has been said to help with eyelash growth and strength. We looked into it and it seems that its tales of “speed” may not be entirely factual but its effects on your eyelash’s strength are to be believed. Plenty of reports say after consistent use for about 3-6 weeks you’ll notice your eyelashes are longer, fuller, and thicker.
- Tubing Mascara may not help with the speed at which your eyelashes grow, but it can help prevent damage from other mascara and products which causes the eyelashes to prematurely fall out and start the growth cycle earlier than what you would have wanted. Tubing mascara can be great to keep your eyelashes in that catagen phase for longer.
- Healthy Habits are a huge boon to speedy lash growth. It’s a full team effort here and that means refraining from touching or rubbing your eyes unnecessarily. Eating a healthy balanced diet, and poor sleep can cause hormone imbalances which also impact lash growth.
- Remove Makeup Safety. Use high-quality products with high-quality ingredients, never sleep in your makeup or you might clog up your pores and follicles.
At the end of the day there is only so much we can do to make our eyelashes grow faster and longer, as we’ve learned the whole process takes month(s) at a time so remember to be patient and use products wisely.
Biotin’s Positives and Negatives
We know biotin’s role in our metabolism and energy levels, so having it in your body is obviously beneficial so your system works properly. Taking it as a supplement isn’t 100% confirmed by science to have positive effects on your hair, skin, and nails respectively, but there are many reports that people have seen improvements with their own eyes. We recommend taking it with a careful eye and note after 6 to 12 weeks any differences to see if you are a part of the lucky sum that do experience the hair, skin, and nail strengthening effects.
Those taking certain medications, are pregnant, nursing, under 18, have specific medical conditions, or are advised by a doctor to not take biotin should obviously not take the supplement. However, if none applies to you then good news because there are no reports of any adverse side effects taking up to 10 milligrams a day.
You can take too much biotin and those side effects can look like the following:
- Digestive issues like nausea, cramping, or diarrhea
- Allergic reactions like a rash
- A sudden increase in acne that’s unusual to your monthly cycles
If you are interested in trying out biotin for yourself, then you’ll need to get supplements from a vendor you know has your back.
Where to get a Reliable Biotin-like Supplement
Dr. Emil Nutrition has taken regular biotin supplements and has elevated them above the set standard. With his Multi Collagen Plus Biotin & Vitamin D he combines five types of collagen peptides with biotin and vitamin D.
This dietary supplement has vitamin D which aids calcium absorption and the capsules make it so you’ll see if those who have seen positive effects from taking biotin and biotin-like supplements are conclusive to your own body. Biotin and collagen together are a super-blend for a brighter and more youthful appearance. While vitamin D and collagen are a powerful combination for our overall strength and mobility.
Why Us: Dr. Emil Nutrition has been featured in acclaimed news and health publications organizations like CNN, The Guardian, and Men’s Health, and has had countless testimonials backing the quality of his products. Using his both medicine and Sports + Exercise Science degrees, his knowledge has led him to create a space that makes holistic health and happiness accessible for not just select persons, but everyone. With a range of supplements covering anything from a good night's sleep, to energy and cognitive boosts, and immune support, you’ll be able to rely on his online stores and major retailers like CVS to get you what you need.
Conclusion: Does Biotin Help with Eyelash Growth?
As of right now there is no definitive evidence regarding biotin and its effects on eyelash growth. Some say they see a difference, others don’t notice a whole lot changing. It seems like other methods like castor oil, some eyelash serums, and a healthy lifestyle will be your best bet to improve your eyelash growth.
