TLDR 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.
In 2016, a study involving 541 women, 266 of whom were experiencing hair loss, found no significant difference in serum biotin levels between women with and without hair loss. The researchers concluded that biotin deficiency was not a significant factor in hair loss among the women studied, suggesting that biotin supplementation may not be an effective treatment for hair loss in women. Despite 38% of women with hair loss having a biotin deficiency, the study advised against indiscriminate treatment of hair loss with oral biotin supplementation unless a biotin deficiency was demonstrated. The study also found that 35% of those with diffuse telogen effluvium, a common form of hair loss, had associated seborrheic-like dermatitis, a condition potentially indicating biotin 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.
73 citations,
October 2001 in “Epilepsia” Children taking higher doses of valproic acid had lower biotinidase activity, which may lead to biotin deficiency, but biotin supplements could help.
50 citations,
May 1985 in “The journal of pediatrics/The Journal of pediatrics” Biotin deficiency in patients on total parenteral nutrition can cause serious symptoms but can be treated with biotin supplements.
2 citations,
January 2019 in “Elsevier eBooks” Biotin supplements are unnecessary for most people but may help with certain conditions like biotin deficiency, brittle nails, and some hair loss.
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.
1 citations,
December 2017 in “Skin appendage disorders” Biotin may help women with hair loss who have low biotin levels, but more research is needed.
2 citations,
March 2020 in “PubMed” Biotin deficiency is not a major cause of Telogen Effluvium hair loss.
