If you’ve been researching vitamins that help you grow thick and luxurious curls, you’ve probably come across biotin for natural hair.
You may have seen it for sale online, but do you know the science behind how it works? It’s a good idea to examine the function and effects of any vitamin before you start taking it.
Biotin, also called vitamin B7, has positive effects on the hair, skin, nails, and the metabolism. It is formerly known as vitamin H, the name coming from the German words, “Haar” and “Haut,” or “hair” and “skin” in English.
What is
and why is this term used instead of biotin? Typically, people use the term, “biotin,” when talking about skin and nails and, “vitamin b7”, when talking about food.It works as a coenzyme to help regulate blood sugar, providing a way to control diabetes. Its metabolic effects can help you lose weight if used in conjunction with other supplements and a sensible eating plan.
In this article, I’ll discuss how you can use biotin to grow the full, luscious locks you’ve always wanted.
Biotin for Hair Growth
There are very few research studies linking biotin to hair growth, and there is no consensus in the beauty industry.
So far, we know that biotin will not necessarily make hair grow, but it does help with the production and health of hair. It makes hair stronger and works to stop breakage. It means you can retain the length you’ve worked hard to grow.
Is Biotin Good for Your Hair?
Biotin combats shedding and split ends, according to Dr. Axe. He says that biotin was first used to treat the cracked and brittle hoofs of horses and that it has multiple benefits.
Which is better—keratin or biotin? Biotin helps produce keratin. Keratin is a protein that makes your hair strong and elastic. It is said that a reaction of cell enzymes and biotin produces keratin in your body, and this response allows your hair and nails to grow stronger. The stronger your hair is, the less likely it will break.
What Does Biotin do for your Hair?
Biotin helps with hair production by producing keratin. The key to retaining length is to eliminate breakage and reduce shedding. Biotin strengthens hair and helps make the hair look healthier, shinier, and silkier.
Although it has not been scientifically proven, some believe that biotin promotes healthy hair cells to grow in the place of old, dead ones. This could be the reason that biotin makes the hair look like it’s so full of life and luster.
“We find biotin to be very helpful for hair disorders. It also makes nails thicker,” says Wilma Bergfeld, MD, in an article that appeared on the Cleveland Clinic website. “And oral biotin is exceedingly safe, even in large doses.”
The clinic says that it can be used for alopecia (hair loss) in men or women. “It improves hair growth and helps with inflammation. The hair follicle, the skin, and the nails all benefit,” says Dr. Bergfeld.
Biotin for Hair Loss
You’re probably wondering how much biotin for hair growth. There are three major ways that you can consume biotin for natural hair.
The most common way is to take biotin pills is when you ingest tablets or capsules and drink water throughout the day. Some pills have much more than the recommended daily value of biotin.
Although the recommended daily amount of biotin for natural hair is 300 mcg, many people find that taking 5,000 or 10,000 mcg a day will give them the best result.
Make sure to consult your doctor before taking any vitamin or herb, especially if you intend to take more than the recommended daily amount. You’ll need to take it with food and water so that the vitamin will absorb correctly.
The best way to take biotin is to ingest it, some women apply it to the hair and skin with good results. Biotin shampoo and biotin oil are two useful ways to add the vitamin to your regimen without having to remember to take pills every day. Organix makes a
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
If you have a vitamin b7 deficiency which typically means that you have dry, brittle hair and nails that may fall out or break easily. You may even have cracked skin, particularly around the corners of the mouth and eyes.
The third way to take advantage of biotin is through eating food with vitamin b7. Luckily, many foods are rich in biotin. Here is a quick list of the most common foods:
- Bananas
- Raspberries
- Peanuts
- Whole-wheat bread
- Cheddar cheese
- Pork
- Salmon
- Yeast
- Avocado
- Mushrooms
- Cauliflower
- Egg yolk
B7 Vitamin Side Effects
Luckily, there have been no serious findings regarding vitamin b7 toxicity. Your body usually flushes out any excess biotin in your urine.
However, one side effect that many women have experienced is acne. It doesn’t happen to everyone, but some find that the biotin causes their face to break out within the first week of taking it.
An allergy to Biotin may be the cause of the acne. If you determine you have an allergy, you should discontinue using it regardless of the benefits it could have for your hair.
Another possible cause is not drinking enough water. When we increase our vitamin intake, we need to increase water to make sure the nutrients synthesize well. Aim to drink one gallon of water per day if you’re taking biotin for hair growth and health. That may be all you need to get rid of the acne.
The final reason for possible acne is that you didn’t purchase real biotin. Avoid cheap knockoffs by doing product research before you buy. Go for a biotin product with solid reviews, like
.Biotin vitamins can be a useful addition to your natural hair regimen, especially if you experience breakage and shedding. Now that you’ve learned all you need to know about this essential vitamin, pick some up and see how it works for you.
Have you tried biotin for natural hair, and if so, what was the result?
Hey Curl Friend, I’m Patrina Haupt the creator and author of Natural Hair Queen. I hope you find my healthy hair care tips helpful in your hair journey. Healthy hair care practices are definitely, what helped me to achieve waist length hair.
Want to receive my weekly hair care tips and free natural hair care guide? Click Here.