Does biotin work?

If you’ve heard of biotin, it is probably in the context of hair and nail growth. Everyone from Vanessa Hudgens to the Kardashians swears by the benefits of biotin, helping to popularize biotin gummy vitamins. Other health and beauty products contain biotin as well. Biotin is an affordable, accessible supplement that claims to improve nail and hair health, something many people struggle with. But does biotin work? 

There is actually very little evidence to support these claims about biotin. Research has shown that biotin actually does little to promote healthy hair and nails. Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, has virtually no influence over hair growth or follicle health. Unless you’re suffering from a biotin deficiency, biotin supplements are basically a waste of money.¹

There is another option

If you consistently deal with brittle nails or easily damaged hair, you may want to find out if you are biotin deficient. If so, biotin is an effective treatment.² But if you simply want to improve the quality of your hair and nails, biotin isn’t the answer. 

While maintaining a healthy diet should be enough to keep your hair and nails strong, sometimes we need a little assistance. If that is the case, there are plenty of other supplements and treatments for hair and nail growth. Don’t put your trust in biotin just because of a few celebrity endorsements. You have to find out what is right for you and your body. 

Introducing, silica

When considering supplements for hair growth, silica should be at the top of your list. There is no competition when you compare silica vs. biotin. Studies show that silica has positive effects on hair and nail quality. Silica can potentially slow hair loss and has been shown to produce significant improvements in hair volume and thickness in women with hair loss.³

If you want to improve your nails and hair, don’t waste your money on biotin. Unless you have a persistent, pathologic hair loss problem, biotin is not the supplement for you. Fortunately, there are other options. Try silica instead for shinier, fuller hair and stronger nails. 

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References

1 Serum Biotin Levels in Women Complaining of Hair Loss, International Journal of Trichology | NCBI  
2 A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss ,Skin Appendage Disorders | NCBI
3 A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study Evaluating the Efficacy of an Oral Supplement in Women with Self-perceived Thinning Hair , The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology | NCBI.

NOTE: The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) has not reviewed or approved the above article.