Biotin For Hair: Is It Worth It?
- Written by NewsServices.com
Losing your hair or noticing it thinning out can be a big blow to your confidence. Especially when it happens at a young age. There are a million different reasons why you may lose your hair, and you’ll probably be looking for ways to get it back indefinitely. Some people like to head off abroad and get a hair transplant in Turkey to give them a permanent solution. But other people may want to take a less surgical approach and will look at the option of supplements like biotin. This is probably the most common hair supplement that you’ll see available to buy, and it’s even added into shampoos. So, if you’re wondering if all the hype around biotin is true, keep reading and discover if it’s really worth it…
What Is Biotin?
Biotin, also called B7, is a vitamin that helps you to process food into energy. It also helps your body to produce keratin which is what your hair and nails are made up of. You can find biotin in things like eggs and milk, but it’s also found in non-animal derived foods like bananas. It’s recommended that you eat around 30-100 micrograms of biotin a day as an adult in order to maintain the healthy functioning of your energy and keratin production.
Can I Be Deficient In It?
You can become deficient in biotin, but it is quite unlikely. Just one egg contains 33% of your daily intake, so you can see how easy it is to get enough each day. However, if you don’t have a well-balanced diet, you could easily start to see your levels dip. Without enough biotin, you may find that your hair becomes thin, and your nails start to become brittle. This is because your body won’t be producing enough keratin to keep them strong. Some people are more at risk of having a biotin deficiency, such as people who suffer from alcoholism as it prevents biotin being absorbed, and people with bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Generally, if you eat well, then you won’t be deficient in biotin. But if you’re ever unsure, make sure you speak to your doctor. If they discover that your biotin levels are low, then you may be advised to take them to help combat your hair loss. But other than that, doctors wouldn’t necessarily recommend it.
Risks Of Biotin
Biotin is thought to be a safe supplement to take, but there are some possible side effects if you take too much of it. Things like insomnia, chronic thirst and urination can occur, giving you more problems than just thin hair. In general, there aren’t any negative side effects to taking a daily supplement of it, but you should also check with your doctor first of all to be 100% certain that it’s right for your body.
How Can I Take It?
As mentioned above, biotin can be found in a well-balanced diet, but it can also be taken in the form of supplements. A lot of these come as gummies and are often marketed towards younger people who are looking for ways of growing their hair. Most of the supplements need to be taken once per day, but you really need to pay attention to the dosage of them. A lot of them boast over 100% of your daily recommended allowance to lure you into a false sense of promising hair growth. However, as with all supplements, taking them in excess won’t do anything but cause negative side effects. So, if you’re thinking of taking a biotin supplement, make sure you check exactly what the dose if beforehand.
Will It Help My Hair Grow?
At the moment, there’s no undisputable scientific evidence that taking biotin makes your hair grow faster or thicker. The idea is there, and it makes sense that taking it should boost your keratin production. However, most people do get a more than adequate amount in their diet, so the supplements become obsolete. Some people may swear by it and claim that it really helped them to restore their precious locks, but this may not be the case for you. A lot of the time, people aren’t looking at the other factors that could be promoting their hair growth while taking the supplements, then put all the praise on the biotin. When in reality, it might not have done anything. The only scientifically proven method of replacing lost hair is through a hair transplant, so you can’t expect biotin to work miracles. Hair loss can also be caused by a lot of different things, and depleted biotin may not be one of them. This means taking it might be meaningless, so it’s always best to speak to the doctor first. They’ll be able to complete the relevant tests on you to make sure there’s no underlying causes.
Although biotin may be everywhere when it comes to hair growth, there isn’t any scientific evidence that completely backs up the claims. If you were particularly low in biotin, then incorporating it into your daily life may be beneficial, but generally it doesn’t do that much. If you’re struggling with hair loss, the best thing you can do is speak to a medical professional as they’ll be able to advise you of the best course of action. Taking unnecessary supplements may not be beneficial to your health and your hair will remain the same. So, if you’re serious about helping your hair loss or health, always speak to a doctor.
