Insecurity is something everyone deals with, it can be hard to focus or navigate external relationships and things like work when our mind is always somewhere else. One huge factor that plays into many people’s insecurities is hair loss. Hair loss affects many, in fact according to NCOA (National Council On Aging), “by age 65, about 53% of men and 37% of women will experience it.” This means that there’s a good chance you or someone you know is currently going through it. It can really affect a lot of your thoughts throughout your day, especially when insecurity comes to play with it as well.
There has been a boom on social media relating to hair loss and hair loss treatments, some have made it their entire brand. There are more elevated medications that help with hair loss like minoxidil and finasteride, but those can come with side effects. Others have taken to the topical route with rosemary, peppermint, and castor oils. But one name has come up many times over on its correlation with hair loss/hair growth and that’s biotin. Biotin the “hair, nails, and skin” supplement has been a route many have taken, but does it help with hair growth? We’re going to be breaking down what it does, how it affects the body, whether I truly can be a boon to hair loss, and where to try it.
- What is Biotin and How does it Affect the Body?
- Does Biotin Help with Hair Growth?
- Tips for Hair Growth
- 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 hair growth, and the body as a whole.
What is Biotin and How does it affect the body?
Biotin is a B vitamin, more specifically vitamin B7, and its main function is to help the body’s enzymes break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. It also is an important part of other metabolic processes like creating glucose and specific fatty acids, which in turn keeps your energy levels up throughout the day so you can work, exercise, and do daily tasks that require certain amounts of energy.
You’ll find biotin is most commonly found in foods like fish, bananas, sweet potatoes, eggs, and legumes, but it also can be sourced as a supplement. In most cases you’ll get your daily amount of “needed” biotin in the foods you eat, but sometimes in such rare cases there are those affected by biotin deficiency which is most commonly found by side effects like thinning hair and a “burning” in the hands and feet.
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.
You may have noticed that we haven’t talked about biotin’s relation to its much advertised “hair growth, skin health, and nail strength” and that’s because of a few reasons.
Biotin’s main functions are that of effecting metabolic processes, and we know now that if you are lacking in it, it can cause thinning hair. So many in the general public have taken that correlation and have said, “if a lack of biotin causes hair thinning, surely consuming more biotin will lead to hair growth/strengthening!” But unfortunately that’s just not the case, or at least there isn’t enough concrete evidence pointing to 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.”
It seems as though people have gone off of “word of mouth” in regards to biotin’s effects on hair growth and we’re not saying they’re wrong. Many have personally seen positive effects regarding these things and have sworn by its abilities. And as long as you aren’t exceeding the recommended dosages of the vitamin, it can’t hurt to see if you too will fall into that group of people who have seen actual results in their hair, skin, and nails.
Does Biotin Help with Hair Growth?
Everything in your body is a process, including hair growth and you might not know that it actually comes in four stages: anagen, catagen, telogen, and exogen.
- Anagen Phase: “85 to 90%” of the hairs currently on your head right now are in the anagen phase which is also known as the “growth” phase. This is when the hair follicle is coming out and growing to its full length unless it is cut or pulled out prematurely. This stage can last years should you decide not to cut your hair.
- Catagen Phase: Instead of the 85 to 95% of the anagen phase, the catagen phase involves less than 5% of your hair(s) at any given time. This is when the hair follicles shrink and hair growth slows.
- Telogen Phase: Consider the telogen phase the “rest stop” on a road trip, there’s no new growth here, with less than 10% of your hairs are in this stage at any given time. Some professionals have combined this stage with our next phase:
- Exogen Phase: Also known as the “shedding phase” which happens at the top of the scalp. Losing anywhere from 50 to 100 hairs a day is considered normal and is remarked as the exogen phase.
Hair health and strength is based on a lot of different factors. Genetics play a HUGE part in how dense, thick, thin, straight, and/or curly someone’s hair is. It’s a common myth that most of your hair genetics come from the maternal side of your family line. What was discovered is that both sides of your family can be the cause of your hair loss. Both parents have influences in hair density, the hair line pattern, and its proneness to thinning/loss.
Besides genetics, hormones also play a part in your hair’s health, with stress causing hair loss and irregular growth. Your diet also can be tied to hair growth, with protein-rich foods and particular nutrients like vitamin D and C affecting it.
So all of this information leads us to the question:
Does biotin help with hair growth?
The short answer: There isn’t enough conclusive evidence that biotin can help grow your hair, but there has been some evidence regarding its ability to prevent hair loss in people with androgenetic alopecia and/or another significant condition affecting hair loss.
The longer answer you’re looking for: If you aren’t someone with a specific “hair-losing” condition or have a biotin deficiency there is likely to be no real benefits gained in your hair growth journey through taking the supplement; as “B vitamins, if they are taken in excess, just get excreted in the urine. So it’s not like you’ll get benefits from extra Biotin.” But those who are seeing external (and internal) factors of hair loss, shedding, or thinning that aren't related to the natural progression of age, may see some benefits through taking biotin for hair loss prevention/natural growth as it reduces inflammation too.
Tips for Hair Growth
Although biotin might not be the magical hair growth cure you’ve been looking for, there are many different tips and tricks to starting your hair growth journey properly.
- Using the right hair care products. Everyone’s hair type is different, some require more care and specific ingredients, while others can thrive using 3-in-1 bottles. Finding the right stuff to build for your own specific situation is key to giving your hair the best chance at growth.
- Using a scalp massager. Recent research has shown that using a scalp massager or just your finger tips to stimulate the blood flow on your scalp can help stimulate hair growth and increase thickness.
- Using the right hair growth oils. There are a lot of “miracle hair growth” oils out there, some are bogus, and some have been proven to work. Do your research, read reviews both from consumers and professionals, and find the ones that’ll do your hair justice.
There are obviously so many different avenues you can take when it comes to taking care of and promoting your own hair growth. Whether it’s through an oral route or topical, there’s a way to help with growth.
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.
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.
As we’ve said in the article, 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.
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.
Does Biotin Help with Hair Growth?
Although there isn’t enough evidence to point to the fact that biotin does indeed help with hair growth, there are many online who have taken to sharing their positive journeys with the supplement. As long as you don’t overconsume, trying biotin or the Multi Collagen Plus Biotin & Vitamin D can potentially help you succeed in your goals and wishes.
