What is Biotin?

Biotin, or vitamin H, helps our body metabolize fats and assists with cell growth. As such, it plays a big role in maintaining healthy hair. It backs up keratin, the protein most responsible for stimulating hair growth.

Do I Have a Deficiency?

Biotin deficiencies aren’t all that common, as it is widely available in most foods. Nonetheless, it’s still worth noting the symptoms. Brittle nails, hair loss, dermatitis, and depression can all arise as a result of a biotin deficiency, with the first two symptoms being the most common. Breastfeeding mothers are at risk of developing a biotin deficiency and should take care to ensure they are consuming enough biotin-rich foods.

How to Increase Biotin Intake

Changing one’s diet can help increase the amount of biotin in the body, with many high-protein foods being a rich source of the nutrient. Another method of increasing the amount of biotin in the body is by taking a supplement. Many daily multivitamins contain biotin, but biotin supplements are also sold as a stand-alone alternative.

Many people begin taking biotin supplements not as a result of a deficiency, but in the hopes to stimulate hair growth. It almost sounds like a miracle cure for anyone experiencing thinning hair. But, it’s not as effective as one hopes. While a biotin deficiency can result in brittle nails and hair loss, it’s not always the case that adding in a biotin supplement will help reverse this. 

Too Much of a Good Thing

Most people won’t ever overdose on a biotin supplement. The body can only absorb so much from a pill, and since our bodies naturally produce biotin, it’s hard to have an adverse reaction. Any excess biotin consumed is usually excreted out through urine or feces.

However, if you experience nausea, insomnia, or increased thirst and/or urination after beginning a daily biotin supplement, stop and consult your physician. Those are all symptoms of a biotin overdose and can be extremely dangerous. Again, this is rare, but it’s still something to consider before starting a regimen. Always consult your doctor before starting any sort of supplement, as they can walk you through the proper steps.

Other Options

According to Kevin Langley, some hair loss cannot be reversed. Male-pattern baldness is genetic, and there’s no end-all, be-all cure to it just yet. No amount of biotin supplementation can cure this type of loss, and knowing this ahead of time can save you precious time and money down the road. If you’ve tried to use biotin to regain hair and been disappointed by the results, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. There are still a ton of ways to combat hair loss and look great while doing it.

One of these options is scalp micropigmentation. Ink carefully deposited on the scalp can mimic the appearance of hair, making thin hair look lush and full of life. To learn more about the art of SMP, click here.

Don’t give up if you’re feeling discouraged by a lack of results with biotin supplements, there’s a whole world out there just waiting to be discovered by you.