A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss
January 2017
in “
Skin appendage disorders
”
TLDR 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.
The review from 2017 examined the effectiveness of biotin for hair and nail growth, finding limited research to support its use in healthy individuals. The literature search, which included case reports and randomized clinical trials, identified 18 cases where biotin supplementation was used for hair and nail issues related to underlying pathologies. These cases showed clinical improvement with biotin treatment. However, the review concluded that while biotin is popularly used for improving hair and nail growth, there is insufficient evidence to recommend its supplementation in healthy individuals, suggesting that the benefits may be limited to those with specific deficiencies or conditions.