Hair loss is incredibly frustrating. Our hair is such a strong part of our identity that when it begins to thin or fall out, we panic. There is no need to get emotional about this, however, as there are plenty of ways to combat hair loss.
Though men are the main victims of losing hair, plenty of women can lose hair, or even suffer from thin brittle hair as well. This is not to frighten or upset you, rather to keep you aware of what can occur. This is why finding a way to strengthen hair or even regrow it is highly sought after. There are a number of expensive treatments out there targeting hair growth, but one of the easiest and cheapest ways to promote hair growth is through taking a Biotin supplement such as Natrol’s Biotin pills.
There are tons of people raving about Biotin because it has not only transformed their hair but their life! If you want to understand why Biotin has such positive effects on hair growth then you need to understand more about its physiological structure and functions.
- What is Biotin
- Sources of Biotin
- Does Biotin Actually Regrow Hair?
- The Best Brands
- Dosage
- How Long to See Results?
What is Biotin?
Biotin falls in the family of B vitamins, specifically B7. B-vitamins in general play a role in cell metabolism, that is, helping the body regrow and repair itself over time, and Biotin is no exception. Its role is most notable on the surface of the body, targeting the hair and nails. After extended use of Biotin users notice longer, stronger nails as well as thicker hair.
But Biotin does much more than just promoting healthy hair and nails. It plays an important role in metabolizing carbohydrates, amino acids and fats. But for now we will just focus on hair.
Sources of Biotin
Like many other B vitamins, Biotin is found in a variety of foods. These include grains, eggs, dairy, nuts, meat and even some fruits and vegetables. It’s important to note, however, that there is no food particularly rich in Biotin. And because Biotin is found in such small amounts to begin with, trying to load up on these various foods is no good. This is why the most efficient way to get Biotin is through supplementation.
The recommended consumption amount of Biotin is around 30 micrograms per day. Many people get twice that depending on dietary habits. However, this consumption pales in comparison to what’s consumed through supplements. Many Biotin supplements contain around 5000-10000 micrograms- clearly significantly more than what any person can consume through food.
Although it’s still unknown exactly how much Biotin someone needs, higher amounts of Biotin consumption are not a bad idea. Biotin is water-soluble meaning that if you take too much then your body can just flush it out. Anything higher than 10,000 mcg per day is probably overkill and may have unwanted side effects, although they are rarely reported.
Does Biotin Actually Regrow Hair?
While there is always room for more studies, the research thus far for Biotin has been very positive.
One study, specifically a double-blind, placebo controlled study looked at the efficacy of oral Biotin supplementation in women with thinning hair. The results concluded that, “[Biotin] safely and effectively promotes significant hair growth in women with temporary hair thinning.” You can read the full source here.
It makes sense though. B-vitamins help to regrow cells, and B7 can target hair and nails, therefore eliminating the appearance of thinning hair.
Still skeptical? If studies aren’t enough for you, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence out there. People rave on message boards and Amazon reviews at how much the quality of their hair improved after supplementing with Biotin for several months.
The Best Brands
You will find Biotin available from a number of brands. It’s best however to always stick with top-quality, reputable brands.
You may also want to consider purchasing a product that is more than just Biotin—a blend of sorts. This may be desirable for those looking for a broader spectrum of hair growth.
1. Natrol
This Biotin from Natrol is popular to say the least. Not only is it the number one Biotin supplement on Amazon with over 6000 reviews, but it’s the number one overall herbal health supplement on Amazon. Needless to say this product works.
At 10,000 micrograms, Natrol biotin provides plenty of dosage to give you the strong and thick hair you’re looking for.
2. HairAnew
This product is totally unique when it comes to Biotin products. In fact, it’s more than just a Biotin product. It contains an entire spectrum of nutrients that promote hair growth. This includes vitamin C, vitamin E, Gingko Biloba, and other B-vitamins like Niacin. Biotin is the key ingredient here, but the other supplements certainly play an important role.
The only downside to HairAnew is the price. A one month supply is pricey. But for those who have the budget for it, this product is absolutely worth it.
3. Nature’s Bounty
This is one of the most reputable names in the health and supplement industry. Their products are top-notch and use only the purest ingredients. Their Biotin product is no exception.
Nature’s Bounty biotin offers 120 softgels at 10,000 micrograms—the upper limit of what you want to consume. Just one softgel per day will do the trick.
Dosage
As mentioned previously, Biotin consumption is around 30 mcg for adults, although many get more than that even upwards of 100 mcg. This is certainly not a difficult threshold to meet. Assuming a person eats a balanced diet with a variety of foods groups they will consume plenty of Biotin. And this is why Biotin deficiency is quite rare in the Western world. But if you’re looking to have strong, thick hair, then you will need a lot more than 30 micrograms. Supplements are the best route, because even if you stuff your face with food you won’t get anywhere near a sufficient amount needed for inducing growth.
Although not all nutritional supplements are regulated by the FDA, the amounts provided through Biotin supplements won’t cause any issues. As a water-soluble vitamin, any excess is flushed out by the body. No side-effects have been detected in any Biotin supplementation under 10mg, which is much more than any supplement provides. Most Biotin products contain about 5000-10000 micrograms.
How Long to See Results?
It will take some time to see results with Biotin. Like any hair growth product, seeing the full effects of takes several months. The reason for this is that not only does it take time to actually stimulate new hair growth, but it also takes time for the hair to grow to a reasonable length.
If you want a better indication of whether or not your Biotin is working, look at your fingernails. Because fingernails react similarly to Biotin, strong nails that break less easily is a good sign that your body is putting the Biotin to use.
Conclusion
Biotin has a lot to offer to someone looking to improve the quality of their hair. It’s cheap, easy to consume, and really works. There’s little downside, but if you are for some reason concerned then you can always seek out a medical professional for more information and specific guidance tailored to your specific situation.
We recommended purchasing one of the supplements offered above. They all offer high-quality, bioavailable Biotin that will help give you back your hair, giving you the confidence you deserve. Additionally you can complement Biotin with hair loss shampoo for an even great effect.