A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss

January 2017 in “ Skin appendage disorders ”

Deepa Patel, Shane M Swink, Leslie Castelo‐Soccio

biotin hair loss nail growth biotin supplementation underlying pathologies clinical improvement

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.

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Research cited in this study

16 / 16 results

research Serum Biotin Levels in Women Complaining of Hair Loss

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.

research Nutrition and Hair: The Role of Nutrients in Hair Health

98 citations , October 2012 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Eating the right nutrients can improve hair health, but taking extra supplements usually doesn't help unless you have a deficiency.

research Biotinidase Deficiency: Rapid Diagnosis Can Make All the Difference

12 citations , September 2011 in “BMJ Case Reports”

Quick diagnosis and biotin treatment can dramatically improve biotinidase deficiency symptoms.

research The Influence of Valproic Acid and Carbamazepine Treatment on Serum Biotin and Zinc Levels and on Biotinidase Activity

21 citations , June 2011 in “Journal of child neurology”

Valproic acid and carbamazepine do not change biotin or biotinidase levels but may lower zinc levels, still within normal range.

research Nutrition and Hair Health: The Impact of Nutritional Deficiencies

70 citations , June 2010 in “Clinics in Dermatology”

Certain groups may need vitamin supplements to improve hair health and prevent other health problems.

research Biotin And Biotinidase Deficiency

166 citations , November 2008 in “Expert Review of Endocrinology & Metabolism”

Biotin and biotinidase are essential to prevent health issues, and deficiencies require lifelong supplementation.

research Familial Uncombable Hair Syndrome: Ultrastructural Hair Study and Response to Biotin

49 citations , April 2007 in “Pediatric Dermatology”

Biotin improved hair appearance in uncombable hair syndrome but didn't change hair structure.

research Biotin Deficiency in an Infant Fed with Amino Acid Formula

43 citations , April 2005 in “The Journal of Dermatology”

Biotin supplements improved skin and hair in a biotin-deficient infant on amino acid formula.

research Nutritional Factors and Hair Loss

239 citations , July 2002 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

Low iron and L-lysine levels can cause hair loss in women, and increasing these nutrients can reduce hair shedding.

research Late Presentation of Biotinidase Deficiency with Acute Visual Loss and Gait Disturbance

31 citations , December 1997 in “Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology”

Biotinidase deficiency can cause vision and walking problems in children and can improve with biotin treatment.

research Proliferation and Differentiation of Cultured Human Follicular Keratinocytes Are Not Influenced by Biotin

22 citations , January 1996 in “Archives of Dermatological Research”

research Proliferation and Differentiation of Cultured Human Follicular Keratinocytes Are Not Influenced by Biotin

4 citations , December 1995 in “Archives of Dermatological Research”

research Inborn Errors of Biotin Metabolism

55 citations , December 1987 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Two enzyme defects in biotin metabolism cause severe skin, hair, and metabolic issues.

research Inborn Errors of Biotin Metabolism

9 citations , December 1987 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Two genetic disorders affect biotin metabolism, causing severe skin, hair, and metabolic issues.

research Uncombable Hair Syndrome: Observations on Response to Biotin and Occurrence in Siblings with Ectodermal Dysplasia

101 citations , July 1985 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

research Neurotrichosis: Hair-Shaft Abnormalities Associated With Neurological Diseases

33 citations , December 1982 in “Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology”

Hair-shaft abnormalities can indicate neurological disorders, some of which are treatable.

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research Koilonychia in a Patient with Alopecia Areata

2 citations , February 2021 in “PubMed”

Koilonychia in alopecia areata can improve with oral corticosteroids.

Biotin Deficiency in Telogen Effluvium: Fact or Fiction?

A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss

Research cited in this study

research Serum Biotin Levels in Women Complaining of Hair Loss

research Nutrition and Hair: The Role of Nutrients in Hair Health

research Biotinidase Deficiency: Rapid Diagnosis Can Make All the Difference

research The Influence of Valproic Acid and Carbamazepine Treatment on Serum Biotin and Zinc Levels and on Biotinidase Activity

research Nutrition and Hair Health: The Impact of Nutritional Deficiencies

research Biotin And Biotinidase Deficiency

research Familial Uncombable Hair Syndrome: Ultrastructural Hair Study and Response to Biotin

research Biotin Deficiency in an Infant Fed with Amino Acid Formula

research Nutritional Factors and Hair Loss

research Late Presentation of Biotinidase Deficiency with Acute Visual Loss and Gait Disturbance

research Proliferation and Differentiation of Cultured Human Follicular Keratinocytes Are Not Influenced by Biotin

research Proliferation and Differentiation of Cultured Human Follicular Keratinocytes Are Not Influenced by Biotin

research Inborn Errors of Biotin Metabolism

research Inborn Errors of Biotin Metabolism

research Uncombable Hair Syndrome: Observations on Response to Biotin and Occurrence in Siblings with Ectodermal Dysplasia

research Neurotrichosis: Hair-Shaft Abnormalities Associated With Neurological Diseases

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Related Research

research Koilonychia in a Patient with Alopecia Areata

research Biotin Deficiency in Telogen Effluvium: Fact or Fiction?

research Nail Changes in Alopecia Areata: An Update and Review

research Serum Biotin Levels in Women Complaining of Hair Loss

research Low Level of Maternal Biotin Intake Changes the Expression of Biotin Transporter in Dams and Fetuses in Mice

research Acute and Chronic Biotin Deficiencies in the Monkey (Macaca Mulatta)