The Truth About Biotin in Hair Products
You might have seen many shampoo and conditioner labels flaunting added vitamins and nutrients, including biotin. While biotin is indeed essential for hair health, it’s important to understand that it isn’t absorbed through the hair or skin in a way that benefits the body’s cells. This means that shampoos or conditioners with added vitamins won’t make your hair grow faster, healthier, or thicker. Most vitamins need to be taken orally to have any effect. Moreover, there isn’t a clear scientific consensus on whether biotin can help people with normal biotin levels grow more hair.
The Role of Biotin for Hair Growth
Biological processes are complex, and hair growth is no exception. Biotin plays a role in the structure of keratin, the protein that makes up hair, skin, and nails. Visible hair consists of cells that have been keratinized, organized into strands, and pushed out of the hair follicle. As these cells move up and out towards the scalp, they dry, harden, and die because they lose access to blood flow and the nutrients it delivers.
Therefore, it is within the hair follicle where cells are alive and active, and hair is formed. Adding biotin to hair care products won’t benefit these cells. Hair strands have three layers: the medulla (the core), the cortex, and the cuticle. Healthy hair is produced from the inside out, not the outside in. This is why biotin added to shampoo or conditioner is mostly marketing hype.
Hair, nail, and skin health are key indicators of nutritional status. Strong, shiny hair is often seen as a sign of health and youth, making it highly desirable. Conversely, thin hair can be perceived as a sign of poor nutritional status, and in some cases, this may be true. Inadequate biotin has been linked to hair loss, and increased hair shedding is considered a symptom of biotin deficiency. Hair follicles divide more quickly than other cells, and hair loss from a biotin deficiency can manifest as quickly as one week.
What Does the Research Say?
Thinning hair and hair loss are troubling conditions that can cause self-consciousness and affect self-esteem. The average person sheds 50 to 100 hairs a day, and not everyone will replace those lost hairs. Although biotin deficiency is rare, evidence suggests that when inadequate biotin is the cause of hair loss, biotin supplementation may help stop the issue and strengthen the structure of keratin.
In one exciting study, women with temporary thinning hair who took a nutritional supplement containing biotin experienced a 52 percent increase in hair growth density over 3 to 6 months of continued use.
Other Ways to Encourage Healthy Looking Hair
There are other steps you can take to promote shiny, healthy-looking hair. Cleanse your hair with gentle products to prevent stripping its natural oils. Style your hair at a low heat and avoid dying or bleaching it to reduce breakage and drying. Eating a well-balanced diet provides a complete spectrum of nutrition to keep your hair looking and feeling great.
How Much Biotin Should You Take?
Currently, there is no scientific consensus on daily biotin requirements. Estimates range from 30 micrograms to 300 micrograms for adults. Biotin is water-soluble, and excess amounts are excreted from the body.
It’s also important to note that even if you’re getting enough biotin in your diet, your body might not be absorbing enough due to certain health conditions and foods that can impede absorption. Additionally, biotin doesn’t work in isolation. It’s one of many important nutrients that work together to maintain not only healthy hair but overall good health.
Global Healing’s Biotin supplement can ensure you’re getting all the essential B vitamins your body requires. It’s formulated with plant-based, highly bioavailable sources of B7. If you think you’re not getting enough biotin, talk to your trusted healthcare professional about your diet and nutritional intake. Together, you can figure out where the gaps are and address them appropriately.