You have heard the name in the press, but does biotin really help hair growth?

When it comes to hair supplements, you only have to glance at the press to know that biotin is the hottest vitamin on the market at the moment.

With an increasing amount of evidence emerging to support the benefits that this ‘miracle’ supplement can offer in terms of hair growth and health, it’s not surprising that beauty bloggers, as well as the press, are jumping firmly on this bandwagon.

In case you haven’t heard (where have you been?, biotin is an essential B vitamin, also known as B7 or vitamin H, which breaks down the substances that our bodies need, including fats, carbohydrates, and amino acids. This water-soluble complex vitamin is vital for healthy, strong hair and nails.

Biotin supplements can be used to help treat and prevent deficiency caused by disease, weight loss, pregnancy, and malnutrition. It’s also become a popular hair loss treatment and hair growth supplement thanks to its ability to encourage the use of energy and the synthesis of proteins in the body.

But does biotin actually help hair growth? We’ve taken a look at the facts…

The benefits of biotin

Biotin offers a whole host of benefits for the hair, including improved hair thickness, stronger hair, improved scalp health, and reduced hair shedding.

Biotin can be found in various foods, including eggs, almonds, liver, whole grains, nuts, etc. It can also be taken in supplement form, with many hair growth supplement containing biotin alongside other vitamins and nutrients.

Although there is no record of toxicity in biotin, our bodies don’t need huge amounts to start producing great hair results!

Currently, there is a lack of scientific evidence about whether using biotin alone can effectively improve hair growth. However, it is scientific fact that B vitamins help to make amino acids, which in turn product keratin, the protein our hair is made from.

There is also plenty of anecdotal evidence of the benefits of biotin when it comes to hair growth, with many users reporting longer, stronger, healthier hair with long term use.

How does it work?

Providing an essential ingredient for the hair growth process, the biotin in your body contributes to the production of healthy hair and nails.

Biotin is important for the synthesis of fatty acids, glucose, and some amino acids. It can prove beneficial for hair growth because hair is made from keratin, a type of protein and proteins, such as keratin, are formed as a result of the reaction of cell enzymes and biotin.

Sources of Biotin

Biotin can be found in a range of foods, so it’s possible to get much of your daily biotin allowance from a healthy, balanced diet. Foods such as eggs, salmon, nuts, and avocado all contain biotin.

However, as many foods only contain small quantities of biotin, many people choose to take supplements in order to reap the many benefits of this vitamin for hair growth and hair health.