{"id":39708,"date":"2021-08-25T09:30:58","date_gmt":"2021-08-25T13:30:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=39708"},"modified":"2025-07-01T15:24:01","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T19:24:01","slug":"biotin-for-hair-growth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/biotin-for-hair-growth\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you take biotin for hair growth?"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the crowded wellness field of vitamins and nutritional supplements, you may or may not have heard of biotin<\/a>. Also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H, biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that helps the body convert proteins, fats, and carbohydrates you ingest into energy. In recent years biotin has become popular because some people claim that taking extra biotin can help slow hair loss, reduce hair thinning, or even regrow lost hair. It’s a claim that, if true, would ensure a huge market for this particular pill.<\/span><\/p>\n

Half of men experience noticeable hair loss\u2014scientifically known as androgenetic alopecia or male-pattern baldness\u2014by the age of 50, according to the<\/span> Cleveland Clinic<\/span>. About 70% of all men will lose hair at some point in their lives. Women aren’t immune to hair loss, either.<\/span> Some estimates<\/span> suggest that 50% of women will experience hair loss, with the prime cause also being androgenetic alopecia (called female pattern hair loss in women). The condition is estimated to affect about 30 million women in the U.S. alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Does biotin really work for hair growth?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Although it’s easy to find numerous websites touting biotin for hair regrowth (as well as a way to improve skin and brittle nails), the official word from the National Institutes of Health<\/span> Office of Dietary Supplements<\/span> is that “there is little scientific evidence to support these claims,” and “more research is needed before biotin can be recommended for any of these conditions.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“We used to think that biotin worked for hair growth, but the science is more contradictory now,” says <\/span>Sandra Marchese Johnson, MD<\/span><\/a>, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at Johnson Dermatology in Fort Smith, Arkansas. “Research shows there is limited benefit.”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Deirdre Hooper, MD<\/span><\/a>, cofounder of Audubon Dermatology in New Orleans, adds: “Although some very small studies have shown some improvement in hair or nail diseases with biotin supplementation … several studies have shown biotin to interfere with many blood tests, including thyroid and cardiac function tests.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Not everyone is so down on biotin, however. An article from the<\/span> Cleveland Clinic<\/span><\/a> claimed that dermatologists have quietly prescribed biotin as a hair loss treatment for many years, even though the research hasn\u2019t proved the health benefits of biotin. Why? Because some believe it works and it is not known to be harmful.<\/span><\/p>\n

How much biotin should you take?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The recommended amount of biotin you need each day is up for debate and is thought to depend on your age. Newborn babies need just 5 micrograms (mcg) daily, while adults should be getting at least 30 mcg, and breastfeeding women should shoot for 35 mcg or more. Since biotin is found in many foods, “it would be unusual for anyone to be low in biotin,” Dr. Johnson says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Hooper adds: “For adults, biotin intake of 30 mcg per day is easily achieved through a well-balanced diet including biotin-rich foods, such as meat, eggs, fish, nuts, seeds, and certain vegetables like sweet potatoes, spinach, and broccoli.” This highlights that a person eating a well-rounded diet does not need biotin supplementation.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you choose to supplement, biotin can be taken alone or with other B-complex vitamins in multivitamin form. Most of the websites touting biotin for hair growth recommend taking 2-5 milligrams (2,000-5,000 mcg) of biotin in supplement form each day, and many supplements are sold under the name<\/span> Biotin 5000<\/span><\/a>, indicating a 5000 mcg (5 mg) size. This is far more than doctors recommend, although for most people the extra biotin shouldn’t present any health problems. There are <\/span>no reported cases of injury<\/span> when taking too much biotin.<\/span><\/p>\n

“It is a B vitamin, so it is difficult to overdose on it\u2014most people will urinate out what they do not need,” says Johnson. “With that said, I suggest not taking more than the daily recommended dose of 30-100 mcg per day for an adult.”<\/span><\/p>\n

In rare cases, people may suffer from<\/span> biotin deficiency<\/span><\/a> (not enough biotin) due to a genetic error of metabolism, a bacterial imbalance in the gastrointestinal tract, or the use of certain medications, including antiepileptics\u2014such as<\/span> carbamazepine<\/span><\/a>,<\/span> phenytoin<\/span><\/a>, and<\/span> phenobarbital<\/span><\/a>\u2014and the acne treatment<\/span> isotretinoin<\/span><\/a>. Older adults, heavy drinkers, smokers, and malnourished children are also more likely to have low biotin levels. Usually, symptoms of biotin deficiency are treated with a 5,000 mcg supplement regardless of the cause.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although biotin can interfere with some blood tests (<\/span>including troponin, digoxin, ferritin, testosterone, brain natriuretic peptide, and progesterone)<\/span>. According to the<\/span> Mayo Clinic<\/span><\/a>, “no side effects have been reported for biotin in amounts up to 10 mg (10,000 mcg) per day.” Even so, numerous websites claim that too much biotin can weaken the immune system, impact the neurological system, contribute to high blood glucose levels, and cause digestion problems or skin rashes. If you are taking biotin as a supplement and notice any of these symptoms, contact a doctor. It is also suggested to stop biotin supplementation 72 hours before bloodwork is drawn so that the results are more accurate.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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Best biotin for hair growth<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you’ve spoken with a healthcare provider and decided to take a biotin supplement as part of your hair care regimen, you may be aware that the market is flooded with biotin supplements that all make the same claims. How can you tell which ones are the best? The answer depends on what you’re looking for specifically and what you consider important.<\/span><\/p>\n

Based on reviews, if you just want biotin without any other vitamins or nutrients,<\/span> Meribin High Potency Biotin<\/span><\/a>, a 5,000 mcg capsule, is a trusted name. Customers say another good, inexpensive choice is Nature’s Bounty Biotin Softgels, which come in 5,000 and 10,000 mcg sizes. If you’re looking for a little less biotin, some recommend trying Solgar Biotin, a 3,000 mcg tablet that is vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free. If you want something you can chew on, people like Vitafusion Biotin gummies, which are 5,000 mcg and naturally blueberry flavored with no high-fructose corn syrup.<\/span><\/p>\n

Biotin is often packaged together with other ingredients in a multivitamin or hair growth supplement. These can boost B-vitamin levels across the board or promote healthier hair, skin, and nails. One of the most popular hair-health supplements on the market is Country Life Maxi-Hair Plus, which contains 5,000 mcg of biotin, vitamins A, C, and E, calcium, folate, zinc, and more. Users say a good choice for a B-vitamin booster is Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw B-Complex, which contains 325 mcg of biotin and other vitamins derived from raw, organic fruits and vegetables.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other popular choices for hair growth include:<\/span><\/p>\n