There are a couple different ways to reap the benefits of biotin. Believe it or not, you may be already getting a decent dose without knowing it. In addition to food, the bacteria in your intestines can make biotin. However, the role of gut bacteria on the overall biotin status of humans remains unknown — in part due to the complexity of the gut microbiota and the factors that influence its composition ( 8). Summary

Therefore, always let your doctor know of any supplements you take or plan to take that contain biotin. These may include some prenatal and multivitamins. Maybe you’re not worried about biotin deficiency but wonder whether a biotin supplement could help you get amazing hair. After all, many products advertise biotin as a hair growth booster. This clean product works well for all hair types, but was formulated with curly and natural hair in mind. It’s made to enhance shine and protect the scalp and hair from UV damage—something that’s particularly helpful for skin on the part line(s). For those suffering from dandruff or dry, flaky scalps, it’s also great at balancing the skin and eradicating buildup and flakes. Customers are particularly pleased with how effective it is for taming frizz, and users with natural hair say it’s perfect for using before donning protective hairstyles like braids. In one study, a biotin deficiency was found in 38% of women complaining of hair loss. Of these participants, 11% had a history of deficiency risk factors, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or the use of certain medications like antibiotics ( 5).

Rewards For Life

Biotin supplements are generally unnecessary unless you have a biotin deficiency or a risk factor that increases your risk of a deficiency. Most people can take biotin supplements without experiencing any side effects. However, it is possible for people to take them and experience 13: Androgenic alopecia or male-pattern baldness is the most common form of hair loss in men and less commonly a cause of hair loss in women. 1 More common causes of hair loss in women include medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism; medications including oral contraceptives; nutritional deficiencies; and physiological and emotional stresses. 1 , 2 The causes of hair loss in elderly women may be multifactorial. 3 Among 100 adult women with diffuse hair loss in one study, probable causes were determined to be psychological stress (30%), fever (33%), abortion and delivery (21%), trauma or surgical operations (13%), and hypothyroidism (10%). 4 More than 50 percent of women had more than one likely cause of hair loss while a cause could not be determined in six percent.

The UrbanBotanics® Cold Pressed Castor Oil is the best hair growth oil on the list. Best Budget - Biotique Bio Bhringraj Therapeutic Hair Oil If you have certain dietary restrictions or need an extra biotin boost, certain supplements may be used as alternatives. It’s also worth noting that some antiepileptic drugs — like carbamazepine, primidone, phenytoin, and phenobarbital — can lower biotin levels. Many foods contain biotin, meaning that deficiency is rare in healthy people who eat a balanced diet ( 2). As for the name, ‘biotin’ it sounds a bit scientific, doesn’t it? Well, it actually stems from the ancient Greek word, ‘biotos’ which means ‘life’ or ‘sustenance.’ B vitamins, especially biotin, are widely recognised as going hand-in-hand with keeping our eyes, liver, and nervous system healthy. Meanwhile, biotin specificallyis considered as being crucial during pregnancy because it plays an important role in embryonic growth. Biotin is responsible for:

Finally, if you want longer, healthier hair, be sure to keep up with your trims and to style carefully. Hairstylist and founder of HERcurls Haiya Eliza recommends getting a haircut at least once every three to four months, and to always get it cut in its natural state. "If you're straightening your hair to cut it, then you're damaging your hair in the process of cutting it," she warns, "and if you go to wear it curly, you're not going to have the same shape as you did when you cut it, because you cut it when it was styled a different way. And you've also applied heat to it, so you've damaged and weakened any curls you have." In a different study, researchers found that children who experienced improved hair growth or quality after taking biotin supplements all had an underlying condition that caused a biotin deficiency ( 3).

Because biotin is a water-soluble vitamin, our body doesn’t store it, so it’s important you’re consuming it within your diet on a daily basis to keep your biotin levels topped up. Natural hair oil does more than just prevent hair loss; it also prevents premature greying and dandruff. For instance, Kama Ayurveda Bringadi Intensive Hair Treatment contains herbs like indigo, eclipta alba, and gooseberry, extracted into pure sesame oil and milk that conditions hair, nourishes scalps, and makes your hair grow stronger. The Wella Professionals Fusion Intense Repair Hair Conditioner is suitable for all kinds of hair. It has special ingredients called silk amino acids that make your hair and scalp healthy and strong. It also makes your hair soft and adds moisture, making it look shiny and strong. Pregnant or breastfeeding women often benefit from a prenatal vitamin,” says Barth. “Prenatal vitamins contain biotin, folic acid and other nutrients that are important for the health of the mother and baby. If you’re not sure which prenatal vitamin to take, ask your provider.” Do biotin supplements help with hair growth? The WOW Skin Science Rosemary & Biotin Hair Growth Shampoo is an all-in-one choice for various hair issues. It contains natural ingredients like rosemary oil, biotin, and moringa oil that nourish the hair follicles, stimulate the growth of new hair, prevent breakage and split ends, and bring a healthy shine.

To sum things up…

It's important to understand the difference between the ingredients in hair growth oils. "The only FDA-approved over-the-counter topical ingredient for the treatment of hair loss is Minoxidil," says Danusia Wnek, senior chemist at the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab. It is known to slow down hair loss and stimulate hair growth but "the mechanism of action on the hair follicle is very limited," according to this scientific review. "Unless it contains minoxidil, a hair growth oil won’t increase hair growth (the number of strands on your scalp); instead it will lubricate hair, preventing breakage and damage," she adds. Below, find the best hair growth oils you can use at home for healthier, longer strands. Iron deficiency is also believed to be a cause of hair loss in women, but literature reports are inconsistent. One report suggests women with iron deficiency status are at a risk of telogen hair loss, 20 and among more than 5,000 women, a larger proportion with excessive hair loss (59%) had low iron stores compared to women with moderate or no hair loss. 21 However, in another study, the incidence of iron deficiency was not increased among women with female pattern hair loss or chronic telogen effluvium. 22 A literature search did not reveal any studies describing the use of iron supplementation for the treatment of hair loss. Personally, I use a hair growth oil every time I wash my hair. Anabel Kingsley, master trichologist and president of Philip Kingsley, taught me how to apply an oil: After I've detangled my hair and applied my favorite leave-in conditioner, I apply my hair growth oil along my partline. Then, I make other partlines across my head, ear to ear, about an inch apart. Along each partline, I apply thin layer after thin layer of oil, rubbing it into my scalp with my finger every time. Then, once I'm done, I massage my scalp with my fingers or with a scalp massager so that the oil distributes evenly and absorbs more easily. How Often to Use Hair Oils

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can decrease the gut bacteria’s production of biotin. Soleymani, T., et al. (2017). The infatuation with biotin supplementation: Is there truth behind its rising popularity? A comparative analysis of clinical efficacy versus social popularity. Zhang Y, Ding Y, Fan Y. Influence of biotin intervention of glycemic control and lipid profile in patients with type II diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Nutr. 2022 Oct;9(1):1-12. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.1046800

The vast majority of people get their daily biotin intake from what they eat every day. Interestingly, it has been claimed boosting your biotin levels can help regulate blood sugar levels, boost hair growth and help with skin and nail health.