Understanding Biotin in Hair Products
You might have seen various shampoo and conditioner brands highlighting their added vitamins and nutrients, including biotin. While biotin is indeed crucial for hair health, it doesn’t get absorbed through hair or skin in a way that benefits the body’s cells. Consequently, using shampoos or conditioners with added vitamins won’t necessarily make your hair grow faster, healthier, or thicker. Most vitamins need to be ingested to have an effect. Moreover, there is no definitive scientific consensus on whether biotin helps individuals with normal biotin levels grow more hair.
The Role of Biotin in Hair Growth
Biological processes, including hair growth, are intricate. Biotin plays a significant role in forming keratin, the protein that constitutes hair, skin, and nails. The hair you see is made of keratinized cells that have been organized into strands and pushed out from the hair follicle. As they move up and away from the follicle, they dry, harden, and essentially die due to lack of blood flow and nutrients. Therefore, it’s within the hair follicle where cells are active and hair is formed. This means that adding biotin to hair care products does not benefit these cells. Hair strands consist of three layers: the medulla (core), cortex, and cuticle. Healthy hair forms from the inside out, making biotin in shampoos and conditioners more of a marketing tactic than a beneficial ingredient.
Hair, nail, and skin health are key indicators of nutritional status. Strong, shiny hair is often seen as a symbol of health and youth, which makes it highly desirable. Conversely, thin hair can sometimes signal poor nutritional status, which may indeed be the case. Biotin deficiency has been linked to hair loss, and increased hair shedding is a known symptom of biotin deficiency. Since hair follicles divide more rapidly than other cells, hair loss from biotin deficiency can manifest in as little as one week.
What Does the Research Say?
Thinning hair and hair loss can be distressing, potentially affecting self-esteem. On average, a person sheds 50 to 100 hairs a day, and not everyone will replace these lost hairs. Though biotin deficiency is rare, research suggests that biotin supplementation can help reduce hair loss and strengthen keratin infrastructure when biotin deficiency is the cause.
In one notable study, women with temporary thinning hair who took a biotin-containing nutritional supplement experienced a 52% increase in hair growth density over 3 to 6 months.
Other Ways to Encourage Healthy Looking Hair
There are several other strategies to maintain shiny, healthy-looking hair:
– Use gentle hair cleansing products to avoid stripping natural oils.
– Style your hair with low heat to prevent damage.
– Avoid dyeing or bleaching to minimize breakage and drying.
– Eat a well-balanced diet to ensure a complete range of nutrients for healthy hair.
How Much Biotin Should You Take?
Currently, there is no established daily requirement for biotin, with estimates ranging from 30 to 300 micrograms for adults. Since biotin is water-soluble, excess amounts are excreted from the body. It’s crucial to note that even if you consume enough biotin, your body might not absorb it effectively due to certain health conditions or foods that impede its absorption. Biotin does not work alone; it is one of many vital nutrients that contribute to overall health, including healthy hair.
Global Healing’s Biotin supplement is designed to provide a highly bioavailable source of B7. If you suspect you’re not getting enough biotin, consult with your healthcare professional about your diet and nutritional intake to identify and address any gaps.