TLDR Biotin supplements are unnecessary for most people but may help with certain conditions like biotin deficiency, brittle nails, and some hair loss.
The document from 2019 reviews the role of biotin in various health conditions and its use as a supplement. It notes that while the average daily intake of biotin is sufficient in Western populations, supplements are popular for promoting hair, skin, and nail health, despite a lack of evidence for their efficacy in individuals without a deficiency. Biotin may be beneficial for those with biotin deficiency, brittle nail syndrome, or uncombable hair syndrome, and one study found that 189 out of 503 women with hair loss had biotin deficiency. High-dose biotin supplements can interfere with certain lab tests. Biotin has shown potential benefits for glucose control in type 2 diabetes, lipid profile improvement, and symptoms of multiple sclerosis, but more research is needed. In one case, a patient with valproate-induced hair loss saw complete regrowth after taking biotin, and another study showed improved nail thickness with biotin supplementation. Biotin is generally safe, but its supplementation is only necessary for those with a deficiency or specific medical conditions.
57 citations,
February 2018 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Biotin supplements are not proven to improve hair or nails and may interfere with medical tests.
5 citations,
August 2017 in “The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry” Biotin may effectively treat hair loss caused by valproate medication.
78 citations,
January 2017 in “Skin appendage disorders” Biotin supplements may improve hair and nail growth in people with certain deficiencies or conditions, but there's not enough evidence to recommend it for healthy individuals.
71 citations,
January 2016 in “International Journal of Trichology” Biotin deficiency is not a major cause of hair loss in women, so biotin supplements are not likely to be an effective hair loss treatment.
17 citations,
January 2013 in “Indian Journal of Pharmacology” High levels of the seizure medication sodium valproate can cause hair loss.
63 citations,
March 2000 in “Annals of clinical psychiatry” Some psychiatric medications can cause hair loss, but it usually grows back after adjusting the medication.
134 citations,
December 2018 in “Dermatology and Therapy” Some vitamins and minerals like vitamin D and iron can help with certain types of hair loss, but more research is needed for others.
78 citations,
January 2017 in “Skin appendage disorders” Biotin supplements may improve hair and nail growth in people with certain deficiencies or conditions, but there's not enough evidence to recommend it for healthy individuals.
November 2019 in “Harper's Textbook of Pediatric Dermatology” The document is a detailed medical reference on skin and genetic disorders.
7 citations,
December 2008 in “Expert Review of Dermatology” The document concludes that various childhood hair and nail disorders exist, some may improve on their own, and advances in genetics and immunology could enhance treatment and counseling.
7 citations,
July 2021 in “PubMed” Vitamins A, B, C, and D are important for skin health and are being explored for new uses, but more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness.
