What Is Biotin & How Can It Improve Hair Health?

What is Biotin?

Biotin is another name for vitamin B7, a water-soluble vitamin found in a range of common foods such as eggs, fish, chicken, nuts, seeds and number of vegetables including spinach, avocado, and sweet potatoes. It is found in high amounts in food such as beef, pork and liver. It also occurs naturally in the bowel.

The main function of biotin is to metabolise carbohydrates and fat from our diet and turn them into energy, though it also plays a part our nervous system, and in gene regulation and cell signalling; processes which control how genes are expressed and coordinated to do the right jobs. 

A biotin deficiency, though uncommon, may be diagnosed in part by the presence of thinning hair and brittle nails as well as eczema, dermatitis, and premature greying or baldness. Deficiency may be linked to a range of existing health conditions, pregnancy or breast feeding.

Did you know...

• Biotin can be depleted by alcohol, raw egg whites, and antibiotics.
• A varied diet should give you the 150mcg RDA currently being advised.
• Because it is water-soluble, the body does not store biotin and it is important to keep up a regular intake through diet or supplements.

Biotin and Keratin Production

Biotin is a fundamental element in protein synthesis and plays an important role in the production of keratin, the fundamental material which forms hair and nails. The most asked question we get asked is, does biotin make hair grow? The answer is yes, biotin stimulates the body’s production of keratin, promoting strong hair through healthy follicles and hair production. It’s high strength vitamin B, helps to support the scalp and in turn nourish the hair follicles to aid hair growth.

Keratin production slows down later in life, and biotin supplements may help improve protein production to help keep keratin levels up, meaning healthier hair follicles and longer, stronger hair when it may otherwise have started to become brittle, grey and thin.

Does Biotin Help in Hair Regrowth?

There are many reasons why you may lose your hair, including stress and anxiety, long-term health issues, serious illness, the menopause, medication and treatments, extreme weight loss, known or previously unknown hereditary conditions, and hormonal changes in the body. Struggling with hair loss as a side effect of the menopause or other conditions but not sure how to fix it? Check out our helpful Shop By Need advice pages to find out how you can combat signs of hair loss for your concern.

Vitamin B deficiency can often be the cause of hair loss or thinning hair so supplementing a healthy lifestyle with Biotin can help to give your body the vitamins it needs to improve the condition of your hair. Biotin appears to have greatest effect when taken orally as opposed to topical treatment, and results can take time.

While taken in conjunction with a balanced diet, Biotin will also work to: 

Hair growth is not an overnight process, and neither is regrowth. It may take a few months to start seeing positive results, but the effects are worth the wait. We recommend taking Biotin Brilliance or for optimal health and wellbeing, our 3-step biotin hair care plan daily for three months minimum to allow your body time to adjust and see visible results in your hair. Visit our case studies page ton see examples of hair growth from Simone Thomas Wellness.

Effect of Biotin on Hair Loss, Hair Shedding, and Thinning Hair

When combined with a balanced lifestyle and varied diet, biotin supplements can help to improve hair strength, thickness and growth. The supplements alone do not produce the results, they need to be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle to reap the benefits of healthy, thick hair and follicles.

There are many products and supplements available which aim to improve hair quantity and quality, but few are naturally occurring in the body the way that biotin is. Combined with actionable nutritional advice, biotin can provide long lasting results for your hair.

"The products are amazing! I have only been taking them for a few weeks and can already see a difference in my hair and energy levels." - Sarah G

Biotin is often used to help treat alopecia areata, helping to stimulate hair follicles and encourage healthy new hair growth.

Biotin may also help prevent early baldness and greying of the hair, prolonging the life of your locks and sealing in your colour for longer, as well as help with hair loss issues and promote regrowth. Equally biotin may be taken as part of a healthy lifestyle to preserve hair strength and shine where hair quality issues are just beginning to occur. 

Subscribe to Our Biotin Supplements for Thicker, Nourished and Healthy Hair

Noticing changes in your hair can be a distressing experience, whether you are already experiencing signs of hair loss or looking to improve the overall condition of your hair, hair loss consultant and nutrition advisor, Simone Thomas has carefully formulated Biotin Brilliance. The best biotin supplement for hair and skin, with a combination of high strength Biotin and vitamins & minerals such as iodine, live cultures, and botanicals to encourage thick, nourished, healthy hair so you can feel your best.