Biotin for hair, skin & nails: what the research actually says

What is biotin?

Biotin (vitamin B7) is a water-soluble B-vitamin that acts as a coenzyme for enzymes involved in metabolizing fats, carbohydrates and amino acids [1]. Those amino acids are the building blocks of keratin, the protein that makes up hair and nails.

What happens when you don’t get enough?

True biotin deficiency is uncommon, but when it occurs it causes hair thinning, a scaly red rash around the eyes, nose and mouth, and brittle nails [1]. This link is why biotin became the headline ingredient in beauty supplements.

Does supplementing help if you’re not deficient?

A 2017 review found that the cases where biotin improved hair were in people with an underlying deficiency or condition; there was insufficient evidence for healthy people with normal levels [6]. For nails, older small studies reported firmer, less brittle nails with daily biotin [8]. In short: biotin is most helpful when intake is low, and it works best as part of a balanced B-complex — which is how Gelagen^™’s formula is designed.

Who might be low?

• People with very restrictive or low-calorie diets
• People who regularly eat raw egg whites (avidin binds biotin)
• Some people during pregnancy
• People taking certain medications — ask your pharmacist

The lab-test warning

The FDA has warned that high biotin intake can interfere with certain lab tests, causing falsely high or low results — including some thyroid and cardiac tests [10]. If you take any biotin supplement, tell your doctor before blood work; they may ask you to pause it for a few days.

Bottom line

Biotin is a sensible part of a beauty supplement, not a miracle on its own. Pair it with the other B-vitamins, enough protein and a steady routine, and give it months rather than weeks.

References

1. National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Biotin — Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Biotin-HealthProfessional/
2. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin B12 — Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/
3. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin B6 — Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB6-HealthProfessional/
4. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Folate — Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Folate-HealthProfessional/
5. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Pantothenic Acid — Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/PantothenicAcid-HealthProfessional/
6. Patel DP, Swink SM, Castelo-Soccio L. A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss. Skin Appendage Disorders. 2017;3(3):166–169. doi.org/10.1159/000462981
7. Almohanna HM, Ahmed AA, Tsatalis JP, Tosti A. The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review. Dermatology and Therapy. 2019;9(1):51–70. doi.org/10.1007/s13555-018-0278-6
8. Hochman LG, Scher RK, Meyerson MS. Brittle nails: response to daily biotin supplementation. Cutis. 1993;51(4):303–305. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8477615/
9. Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM. The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. Nutrients. 2017;9(8):866. doi.org/10.3390/nu9080866
10. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA Warns that Biotin May Interfere with Lab Tests (Safety Communication update, 2019). www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/update-fda-warns-biotin-may-interfere-lab-tests-fda-safety-communication
11. Guo EL, Katta R. Diet and hair loss: effects of nutrient deficiency and supplement use. Dermatology Practical & Conceptual. 2017;7(1):1–10. doi.org/10.5826/dpc.0701a01
12. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Dietary Supplements — consumer information. www.fda.gov/food/dietary-supplements