Biotin for Hair Growth: Myths and Insights
Biotin has been marketed as a hair loss solutions for years. But does biotin really help with hair growth? A Minnesota hair loss specialist answers.
What the Research Says
The initial research examining the effects of biotin on hair dates back to 1965, when a study was conducted involving a group of women who received an unspecified dose of biotin to assess its impact on "hair roots." The authors concluded that there were no significant improvements in the condition of the women’s hair roots following biotin supplementation.
In the 1980s, additional studies were conducted on animals to evaluate the effectiveness of biotin supplementation for hair health. One notable study involved dogs suffering from poor coat quality and hair loss due to unidentified causes. After receiving biotin supplements for a duration of 3 to 5 weeks, more than half of the treated dogs exhibited complete recovery of their hair and coat symptoms. Approximately 30% of the dogs showed at least some improvement, while about 10% did not experience any change. These findings prompted researchers to hypothesize that biotin supplementation might also benefit humans experiencing alopecia or improve overall hair quality.
A recent study from 2024 titled "Biotin for Hair Loss: Teasing Out the Evidence" found that, despite the widespread popularity of biotin as a hair supplement, there is a significant gap between public perception of its effectiveness and the available scientific literature. The authors noted that the utility of biotin as a hair supplement is not backed by high-quality studies. Similarly, a 2017 study called "The Infatuation With Biotin Supplementation: Is There Truth Behind Its Rising Popularity? A Comparative Analysis of Clinical Efficacy versus Social Popularity" reached a comparable conclusion. This study highlighted that no clinical trials have been conducted to assess the efficacy of biotin for treating any type of alopecia, nor have any randomized controlled trials evaluated its impact on hair quality and quantity in humans. The authors emphasized that the popularity of biotin supplements far exceeds the limited clinical evidence supporting their effectiveness for hair improvement.
Several reputable organizations have made similar statements regarding biotin's efficacy:
The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health stated, “Biotin supplements are often glamorized as a treatment for hair loss and to promote healthy hair, skin, and nails. Although a deficiency of biotin can certainly lead to hair loss and skin or nail problems, evidence showing a benefit of supplementation is inconclusive.”
Mount Sinai noted that “very weak evidence suggests that biotin supplements may improve thin, splitting, or brittle toe and fingernails, as well as hair.”
WebMD commented, “[Biotin] is also commonly used for hair loss, brittle nails, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.”
Medical News Today concluded, “There is no firm scientific evidence to support the use of biotin supplements to improve hair growth unless a person has a biotin deficiency.”
Most adults naturally get enough biotin from their diet, making deficiency uncommon. According to the National Institutes of Health, “severe biotin deficiency in healthy individuals eating a normal mixed diet has never been reported.”
These findings suggest that while biotin remains popular as a supplement, scientific support for its effectiveness is limited.
