So, you've got thin, brittle hair and wondering if putting biotin directly on it will improve the hair follicles. Well, this is a common question. Millions of men and women experience thinning hair and see photos of thick, lush locks and want to have some of their own. So, the quick answer is that, yes, you can apply biotin on your hair, and here's why.
What is Biotin?
Biotin, also called vitamin B7, is a water-soluble vitamin found in food. Another name for biotin is vitamin H, which is a German reference. In German, the words for "hair and skin" are "haar and haut."
As one of eight b-vitamins, It promotes the conversion of food into energy and helps strengthen hair, nails, and skin. Also, during pregnancy supports a healthy fetus by managing blood sugar levels, among other positive benefits.
People need to receive biotin from their diets or topical supplements, and as a water-soluble vitamin, any excess is naturally removed from the body.
It plays an essential role in the creation of glucose and fatty acids. All of which comes from a metabolic process that starts with carboxylases. This enzyme, carboxylases, helps produce stronger hair and nails.
Causes of a Biotin Deficiency
While rare, a biotin deficiency can happen. It can come about from a few different factors. One of them being your daily diet and the amount of alcohol consumed. Since biotin comes from foods, you may not be eating enough nutrients with this b-vitamin in it.
Common foods that contain enriched biotin include the following:
- Egg yolks
- Nuts and seeds
- Legumes
- Sweet potatoes
- Liver
- Mushrooms
- Broccoli
- Bananas
- Yeast
- Avocados
It’s important to keep in mind that eating these biotin-enriched foods consistently may not give your body the biotin it needs if you have other health issues affecting absorption.
Also, too much alcohol can drain the body of vitamin H. Excess alcohol depletes the body of necessary vitamins and minerals, increasing risks for some cancers, affecting sleep quality, and resulting in other health concerns.
Another reason for a biotin deficiency may be hereditary. Our genes play an essential role in biotin production, and low amounts may have to do with your genes.
Symptoms of a Biotin Deficiency
When you have a biotin deficiency, symptoms include weak hair and nails. In addition, nails can become brittle and easily break or have a hard time growing strong. But the signs don't stop there and may include one or more of the following:
- Thinning hair
- Hair loss (head and body)
- pink rash around the eyes, nose and mouth
- Conjunctivitis
- High amounts of acid in urine
- Brittle nails
- Seizures
- Skin infections
- Neurological problems (depression, seizures, hallucinations)
- Extreme tiredness
If you suspect you have low biotin levels, make an appointment with your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Benefits of Biotin
Taking biotin has many different benefits, but most people take it to boost hair quality. As a result, it's become quite common for shampoo and conditioner to come infused with biotin or vitamin H.
If you're biotin deficient, adding back the vital vitamin can help strengthen your hair and nails. There are many benefits of taking biotin, including:
- Boosting Hair Quality
- Strengthening nails
- Helping fetal development
- Improve blood glucose and insulin levels
- Helps manage body weight
-
Reversing brittle hair
The most talked-about benefit of biotin has to do with hair follicles, but as you can see, there are other possible positive outcomes as well.
Can You Put Biotin Directly On Your Hair?
If you're looking for stronger hair, you can purchase hair products with added biotin in them. However, this may not be the best method for reversing brittle hair and nails. Lately, people have been applying it directly to the hair follicles.
Instead of waiting for an oral supplement to travel all over the body and eventually reach the hair follicles, biotin-infused creams go right to the source. The effectiveness of a biotin topical cream may depend on your hairy type, biotin deficiency level, and biotin quality. Also, more research is needed to determine the exact dosage and overall effect. But many dermatologists recommend applying it to the hair.
How Long Does It Take To Work?
It can take days to a few weeks for a biotin supplement to work. Therefore, people with a higher deficiency will experience faster effects than those with less of a depletion. Also, each person is different and has a unique head of hair. Therefore, the exact amount of time will vary depending on the health of hair, depth of biotin depletion, and dosage.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Biotin is considered safe to take. As a water-soluble vitamin, excess amounts don't stay in the body. Through urination, biotin is passed through your urine. So, worrying about "overdosing" isn't too much of a concern. Yet following the recommended daily amounts of 30 to 100 micrograms (mcg) is advised.
Going above this recommended amount may result in mild symptoms of nausea and digestive issues. However, using a topical biotin cream will bypass the digestion system altogether.
What Are the Best Biotin Supplements?
Biotin comes in oral and topical forms. The oral forms include tablets and capsules, which can be hard to swallow and not as effective as a topical cream. Nevertheless, it's an alternative to swallowing supplements, and many people love this method.
The BioLabs Pro all-natural biotin cream with collagen works just like a lotion. You rub it into the skin slowly to receive the benefits. It's made in the USA in a kosher-certified facility guaranteeing the highest quality. It's designed for maximum absorption and is five times more beneficial than other similar products.
So, if you want natural, glistening hair, give biotin with collagen a try. Collagen is what helps create firm, younger-looking skin. And when it's infused with biotin, the positive effect is supercharged.
In the end, you can apply biotin directly to your hair, but you can also add it to your skin. You'll get the benefit of softer, firmer skin and gorgeous hair. Isn't it time you gave biotin a chance?
