Is Taking Biotin Good for Hair Growth?

Biotin is common supplement found in many over-the-counter products. Also known as vitamin B7, biotin is a favourite amongst those who are wanting to promote hair growth. It can do this by stimulating the keratin production you’ll find the health of your hair is supported with the overall strength improved resulting in less breakage. You will also find that it can increase the rate of hair follicle growth helping your hair and nails to grow quicker than usual and improve your complexion.  

What is Biotin?

• Also known as vitamin B7
• Naturally occurring in foods such as eggs, milk, grains, and nuts
• Works by turning carbohydrates, protein, and fat into energy
• Can support the growth of your hair by stimulating keratin production and follicle growth
• Is a water-soluble vitamin meaning it flushes out of the body very easily, ensuring you follow a balanced healthy diet will keep the correct levels of biotin in your body
• Known to improve the health and appearance of brittle nails

If you wanted to know more about how biotin works for you and improves your hair health, stick around as we will explore more now.

What are the side effects of biotin hair growth?

As a vitamin, there are not many side effects that can occur when you take the supplement correctly. However, if you take too much or the wrong dosage completely, there are some side effects such as.

• Flare-up of rashes and irritation of the skin
• Problems with digestion and upset stomach
• Increased risk of developing kidney problems
• Problems with insulin release and other concerns with insulin

As you can see some of these side effects can be severe, which is why we suggest consulting with your doctor or medical professional to ensure your chosen biotin product is best suited for your needs. All biotin products are different so ensure you check the instructions on the packaging, this will give you a better understanding of the correct way of taking the supplement. 

What happens to your hair when you stop taking biotin?

If you stop taking biotin you won’t experience extreme or dramatic hair loss, although many believe this to be true. Instead, you will find that there will be a decrease of biotin in your daily diet, but this is nothing to worry about as developing a biotin deficiency is rare and can take many years to develop.

How can I use biotin for hair growth?

You will find that there are many supplements and even haircare products enriched with biotin to help stimulate healthy hair growth. Although biotin supplements are hugely popular, sadly there is no evidence that proves that having a daily intake of biotin or using products full of the vitamin will improve the health and growth of your hair completely. Having said that, many who supplement biotin in their daily routine see a notable improvement in the overall look and health of their hair, nails, and skin.

It is considered the best way of incorporating biotin into your routine is through your diet. The best natural sources of biotin come from foods such as, meat, eggs, seeds, vegetables, and nuts. All of which naturally fortify the hair follicle resulting in an increase of keratin making your hair stronger and less likely to break or fall out. You can help boost this even further by including foods rich in vitamin E such as avocado and nuts. You’ll also find that these foods contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. With all these nourishing ingredients and supplements containing biotin will leave your hair soft, strong, and shiny.

Can taking biotin cause hair loss?

Yes and no, this is because having excessive intake of certain forms of nutrients can result in hair loss. The effects caused by too much biotin are not completely confirmed which is why it is very important to consult with doctor or medical professional before introducing any ingredients, even ones as natural as biotin. Known for supporting many important functions of the body, such metabolism, energy levels, nervous system, and finally, improving the health of your hair and skin.

The common causes for hair loss are often connected to genetics, health conditions, certain medications, as well as depression and stress resulting in increased hair loss. If you find there is no improvement after you have introduced some supplements or made some lifestyle changes, you can consult with your doctor to explore other avenues to build a routine that will benefit the health and growth of your hair.

As for the concerns about biotin causing hair loss, you may be surprised to know that the bacteria living in our bowel naturally develop biotin. This means you only need a small additional amount of biotin with many suggesting the recommended intake is 30-40mg for adults.

Which biotin is best for hair growth?

 As I have mentioned already, the body already has biotin naturally occurring in the body. Any form of biotin taken as a supplement or through your diet will improve hair growth. If you are wanting to take biotin as a supplement its recommended to have a dosage of 2mg to 5mg daily. Just ensure you have consulted with your doctor and have checked the instructions on the packaging. Here are some examples of the food types rich in biotin you can include in your diet.

• Oats
• Spinach
• Cheese, such as brie
• Carrot
• Apple
• Tomato
• Chicken
• Lettuce
• Beef
• White Mushrooms
• Milk
• Egg yolks, preferably cooked

 It is also known that developing a biotin deficiency is very rare, there are some signs you are experiencing a lack of biotin if you suffer from any of the following.

• Numbness and tingling in the arms and legs
• Brittle nails
• Dry skin
• Exhaustion
• Depression
• Conjunctivitis
• Thinning hair
• Red, scaly rash around the eyes, mouth, and nose

When should you take biotin morning or night?

Due to the increased energy levels and the fact that biotin is water soluble meaning it absorbs into the body quickly, many find it best to take their supplements in the morning either after or with the first meal of the day. If you forget there’s no need to stress, just ensure you take it after you have eaten something beforehand.

There you have a little more information about biotin and how it works for hair growth. Don’t forget you can ask us any further questions over on Instagram.