Does Biotin Promote Hair Growth?
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Medically reviewed by Susan Bard, MDMedically reviewed by Susan Bard, MD
Biotin, also known as vitamin H, B-7, or coenzyme R, is part of the B-complex group of vitamins. It helps your body turn food into energy and metabolize fats and proteins. You can find biotin in foods such as meats, liver, eggs, fish, nuts, seeds, and some vegetables like sweet potatoes, spinach, and broccoli. It’s also available as a supplement—both alone and in B-complex supplements.
Biotin is often marketed in supplements to encourage hair growth and prevent hair loss. While research on biotin's benefits and abilities is mixed, some evidence supports biotin's role in hair health. For instance, some research has found that high doses of biotin have improved a rare hair disorder in kids.
How Does Biotin Affect Hair Growth?
Biotin is an essential vitamin that is readily available in foods and produced naturally in the gut. Having normal levels of biotin will help your body produce keratin, a protein that helps promote healthy hair and nails. Because of this function, researchers have theorized that adding biotin to your regimen could help promote hair growth. Research also shows a lack of biotin in your system may lead to hair loss.
Biotin's potential role in preventing hair loss does not automatically mean it will stimulate hair growth. There is not enough evidence to directly link biotin supplementation to hair growth.
However, some research has shown biotin can help reduce hair loss. One study found that women who had thinning hair showed improvement in hair thickness and growth after taking a multivitamin containing biotin. Because the supplement contained several vitamins and minerals, it's difficult to determine if biotin alone was responsible for the improved hair texture.
Another study found that supplementing with biotin following gastric sleeve surgery helped significantly reduce hair loss in 22% of the people with low biotin levels (five out of 22 people). Fourteen people reported a small effect.
While biotin may support hair loss prevention, other factors may also contribute.
Biotin Deficiency
Although biotin deficiency is rare, especially in people without health conditions who eat a balanced diet, there are certain situations that can predispose people to developing a deficiency. For instance, chronic alcohol use can reduce your body’s ability to absorb biotin. Research has shown that 15% of people with chronic alcoholism have low biotin levels.
Low biotin levels are also common during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As many as one-third of pregnant people develop some form of biotin deficiency—even when they take biotin supplements. People who are lactating also tend to experience a decrease in biotin levels despite taking supplements.
Babies can be born with a rare disorder known as biotinidase deficiency. This condition prevents their body from releasing biotin, leading to biotin deficiency even when they take in adequate amounts of the vitamin.
Low biotin levels can also occur in people taking antiepileptic medications such as Carbatrol (carbamazepine), Phenytek (phenytoin), and Luminal (phenobarbital). Likewise, taking oral antibiotics for a long time or taking Acutane (isotretinoin) for acne can lead to biotin deficiency.
Older people and smokers (particularly women) are more likely to develop biotin deficiencies.
One of the first signs of a biotin deficiency can include thinning hair and hair loss all over your body. Other symptoms may include:
Scaly, red rash around your eyes, nose, mouth, and perineum
Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
Brittle nails
Acidic urine
Skin infections
Neurological issues like depression, lethargy, hallucinations, and paresthesias (tingling sensation in the limbs)
Related: What Happens When You Take Too Much Biotin? Here's What to Know, According to Experts
Other Causes of Hair Loss
There are many reasons someone could be experiencing hair loss or hair thinning. Other than biotin deficiency, potential causes for hair loss include:
Genetic or hereditary factors
Age
Pregnancy and childbirth
Cancer drugs and other medications
Illnesses like the flu or COVID
Chronic stress
Scalp infections
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Nutritional deficiencies
Poisons like arsenic, thallium, mercury, and lithium
Chronic health conditions that can cause hair loss include:
Alopecia areata (a condition that causes partial or complete hair loss)
Scarring alopecia (hair follicle damage that leads to permanent hair loss)
Scalp psoriasis (an autoimmune skin condition that leads to itchy red patches or scaly plaques)
Lupus (an autoimmune condition that attacks healthy cells)
Perms, color treatments, relaxers, hair pulling, and tight hairstyles or friction can also lead to hair loss.
Other Ways To Promote Hair Growth
Losing your hair or experiencing hair thinning can be overwhelming and stressful. Depending on the cause of your hair loss, there are a few things you can do to promote hair growth. Keep in mind that no single treatment works for everyone, so you may need to experiment to see what works for you.
Here are a few options to consider:
Change your hairstyle: Wearing certain hairstyles during the day or while sleeping could lead to hair loss or hair thinning. If you wear tight styles, consider trying a looser, more relaxed style that doesn't pull on your hair—like a low ponytail or loose braid. You may also want to avoid perms, color treatments, and relaxers.
Try taking Rogaine (minoxidil): This over-the-counter (OTC) medication has been shown to promote hair growth. However, it does require an ongoing commitment to the treatment. If you stop using the medication, you will lose your progress.
Use at-home laser treatments: Laser caps and combs are available to treat hair loss at home. And though research is limited on these devices, the results are promising. One study of more than 200 people with hereditary hair loss who used this treatment reported thicker, fuller hair after 26 weeks.
Massage your scalp: One team of researchers found that a four-minute daily scalp massage with a mechanical scalp massager resulted in thicker, fuller hair. More research is needed to determine the exact role of scalp massage on hair growth, but the results are promising and there is little risk using the device.
Experiment with microneedling: You can buy OTC microneedling tools or purchase a microneedling service at some dermatologists' offices or spas. Some research shows the process can promote hair growth, especially when combined with minoxidil. Ask your dermatologist before trying microneedling because it can worsen some scalp conditions.
Consider using essential oils: One study found that rosemary essential oil can be just as effective as minoxidil in stimulating hair growth. You will need to use rosemary essential oil with a carrier oil to ensure it doesn't irritate your scalp.
Talk to a dermatologist about treatments: Procedures like in-office laser therapy, corticosteroid injections, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments all show promise in treating hair loss and promoting hair growth.
When To See a Healthcare Provider
Several factors can cause hair loss. Visit a board-certified dermatologist for an evaluation and accurate diagnosis if you notice you are losing more than 50-100 hairs a day, have bald spots, scalp irritation, a widening part, or noticeably thinning hair.
Your dermatologist will perform an exam, look at your scalp, and test the strength of your hair. They also may order bloodwork, a scalp biopsy, and other tests to help them make a diagnosis. Once they determine the cause of your hair loss, they can help create a treatment plan for you.
Biotin and Thyroid Testing
Biotin doesn't affect thyroid function or hormone levels in the body. However, it can interfere with thyroid function testing because biotin is sometimes used in testing methods. As a result, taking a biotin supplement can skew thyroid test results and lead to an inaccurate diagnosis.
A Quick Review
Biotin is a B vitamin that helps your body produce keratin—the protein responsible for healthy hair and nails. Biotin is readily available in several foods and is made naturally by your gut flora. Biotin deficiency is rare and most people do not need supplementation.
However, some research indicates that biotin supplementation may be useful in preventing hair loss, though it may do little to promote hair growth. If you're experiencing hair loss, talk to a dermatologist about your options for promoting hair growth before reaching for a biotin supplement.
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