Using Biotin For Hair Growth
On any given day women of all ages are exposed to commercials boasting the benefits of their hair products. Why? Because, companies understand that there exists a universal truth among all women: We all strive for healthy growing hair. Whether it's long, short, kinky or straight- the health of our hair is important. We try everything from chemical laden products to all-natural vitamins like biotin for hair growth.
Healthy growing hair is an indication of a healthy body. Just like any other part of the body, if nutrients are missing, deficiencies begin to develop. In the case of hair health-when vital nutrients such as vitamins and minerals are missing- the results can be very evident.
Thinning hair, red flaky scalp and stunted hair growth are just some of the negative effects of a malnourished hair regimen. These effects leave many women feeling frustrated and confused by their hairs' change in texture, sheen, and strength. This is where biotin for hair growth and other supplements and vitamins for hair growth can be applied to revert hair back to its healthy state.
Biotin is an individual B-complex vitamin that is produced naturally in the body. Biotin has many benefits, for instance it helps to promote a fast metabolism. One of the most hidden benefits this powerful vitamin possesses is it helps build strong hair and nails.
Often called vitamin B7 or vitamin H, when the body is deficient of biotin it can result in hair loss. Whereas, if taken as a supplement it can stimulate hair growth and prevent hair loss. Other symptoms of a biotin deficiency include hair loss and a red, scaly rash on the face, tiredness, hallucinations depression and tingling of your hands, legs and feet.
CAUTION: Biotin helps in the hair growth process but it works to its fullest potential paired with other hair repairing antioxidants. Read the "How to Make Your Hair Grow Faster with Biotin" section to learn more.
No, it are not. Some biotin supplements are diluted with cheap fillers like magnesium stearate. There are different dosages for biotin. Just like any other natural resource there are variations in their effectiveness and not all biotin products are clinically proven through third-party testing.
Unfortunately, there are cons to taking a biotin supplement by itself, without a vitamin filled with natural antioxidants. Many women have complained of severe acne, breakouts and headaches.
To combat these side effects you should take the following precautions:
Drink plenty of water: Biotin is water soluble. So, that means the vitamin will dissolve in water. Drink your recommend eight cups of water a day to decrease the risk of acne and breakouts.
Take multivitamins and supplements. Try to consume a balanced vitamin intake of B complex vitamins and other vitamins rich in antioxidants, such as vitamin C, A and others. These mixtures are typically found in all-natural hair vitamins that also have a good boost of biotin.
Before you can understand the biotin benefits to your hair, you should understand how your hair works.
Have you ever stopped to wonder what your hair is made of? Hair is actually made of keratin, a strong protein that needs just as much attention as your skin and nails. Your hair is comprised of three layers, all of which play an important part in the health of your hair.
Your hair's roots are what truly control whether or not your hair grows. The root holds the hair follicle. Your hair also includes the dermal papilla at the base of your hair follicle. This area receives vital nutrients from your bloodstream and uses those nutrients to promote healthy hair. If not taken care of properly, the follicle and dermal papilla can get crowded and backed up, which can shrink both causing poor and thin hair growth.
Good hair supplements and vitamins that contain biotin, vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6 and B complex, kelp, saw palmetto and MSM, that have been clinically proven to provide users with a healthy scalp and follicles.
Everyone's hair grows in cycles. There are four main hair cycles that facilitate healthy hair growth.
Phase 1: The Growth Stage (Anagen) Stage
This is the time when your hair is continuously growing. About 85 percent of your hair is in this stage. This stage can last for an estimated two to six years.
Phase 2: The Transitional (Catagen) Stage
As the growth stage ends, the transitional stage takes place. During this stage, the hair follicle shrinks and detaches from the dermal papilla. This is the shortest stage and last about 10 days.
Phase 3: The Resting (Telogen) Stage
This is when your old hair sheds itself and the follicles rest. This phase usually lasts between one and three months. Ten to fifteen percent of your hair is in this stage at any given time.
There are several reasons why hair thins, falls out or slows down in its growth.
Here are the most common:
Stress. If your day to day life has you overly stressed your hair is suffered. When we become too stressed out of body starts shutting down our bodies smaller functions, including hair growth.
Genes. Your have a family history of hair loss. You can try to combat this with proper nutrition (including using a hair vitamin with a healthy boost of biotin).
Damage. If you have an intense styling routine that includes chemical laden hair products, dyes, bleaches or a lot of heat this is most likely damaging your hair.
Telogen effluvium. This is a phenomenon that occurs after major surgery, pregnancy, when taking certain medicines or when drastic weight loss happens. The individual sheds a large amount of hair every day.
Alopecia areata. Alopecia is an autoimmune disorder which causes a person's immune system to attack their hair follicles. It affects over four and a half million people in the U.S. each year.
We promise we are going to start talking about the biotin benefits really soon but first let's define your hair type. The most common way to define your hair grade is to use a hair typing system. While this isn't the only solution, it is one of the most viable. According to severalhair typing systems there are 12 common hair types. We are are going to go over the 4 basic type categories:
Type One Hair
This hair type is composed of straight hair. Type one hair can be very thin or contain high volume and even coarseness. This is often called bone straight hair. It can also be easily repair if damaged. It is typically very thick.
Type Two Hair
This hair type is wavy and can can be very thin or contain high volume and even coarseness. Type two hair tends to stick closer to the head. Can be easily repair if damaged.
Type Three Hair
This hair type is curly and can comprise loose beach curls or very tight corkscrew curls and even kinky curls. Women may find a harder time to repair their hair if damaged.
Type Four Hair
This hair type has the most kinky curl pattern. The curls are usually densely packed and hair can appear wiry. This hair type can suffer the most from damage and can shrink up to 75 percent of its true length.
Hair growth and natural biotin are very closely related. Biotin hair growth is stronger and faster than typical hair growth. Biotin also moisturizes the scalp. Furthermore, biotin increases cortex elasticity while preventing damage and hair breakage. As a result, biotin helps produce new skin cells. For people who are experiencing hair loss, taking extra biotin and other vitamins may aid in their hair growing longer, healthier and thicker.
Everything comes from something and biotin is no different. As stated above, Biotin is produced naturally in the body, but it can come from a variety of foods found in nature. Coincidentally, most of these foods are known allergens; which can prevent the consumption of the vitamin and result in biotin deficiency. These foods include:
In addition, the vitamin can be produced and made for oral consumption via over-the-counter supplements found at your local grocer or big box supermarket.
Whether you have type one or type four hair, biotin can work for you. There have been no studies completed on which hair type performs the best with biotin. Women with all types of hair have seen great results with a biotin boost.
Taking prenatal supplements when you're not pregnant can be dangerous. Most prenatal vitamins have a high amount of iron, which expectant mothers need but added iron in average women could lead to constipation, vomiting and nausea. Also, these vitamins are not designed for hair growth. They are meant to help a growing fetus. Hair supplements have the MSM, horsetail, pantothenic acid and other nutrients that help your hair from the inside out.
Unlike many other nutrients, biotin is not a super vitamin. It has only the basic benefits that can be used in conjunction with other supplements to provide you with the best possible hair growth results.
Your body responds best to a balanced vitamin regimen that incorporates more than one essential antioxidant to promote faster hair growth. A hair vitamin that provides a plethora of vitamins and minerals is the best way to get the biotin you need and a host of other things that your body needs to grow healthy, thick and long hair.
You should look for a hair vitamin that contains some if not all of the following ingredients to promote faster growing hair:
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is an all natural antioxidant that helps improve skin cells, which can aid in hair growth.
Kelp
Kelp is a natural source of iodine. This helps support the hair follicle by both regulating the resting time. This also helps the follicle to become active again, providing new growth.
Saw Palmetto Berries
Saw Palmetto Berries stop the hair follicles from shrinking, allowing the follicles to thrive and produce healthy hair.
Bamboo Stem and Leaf Extract
Bamboo stem and leaf extract are the best natural sources of silica. Silica not only improves the hair's strength and cortex, it also improves calcium assimilation in the body, which helps to build stronger bones and teeth.
MSM
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a source of sulfur, which is a very important component of both collagen and keratin. Collagen keeps your skin supple and keratin builds strong, healthy hair and nails.
When these ingredients are combined with biotin, hair growth can be achieved as well as beneficial health changes. Biotin when taken with other vitamins and minerals can help women grow hair that is either thinning from the strain of ponytails, stress, hormone changes and even age. Using a hair vitamin is like gathering an army to help you combat your hair's damage.
There is no denying that a host of reasons plays into why hair doesn't grow or continues to thin. Finding the best hair product and/or regimen for your hair is all up to you. With hundreds of over-the-counter and prescription hair growth treatments, the search for a product that works can be a daunting task. If you are suffering from hair loss or stunted hair growth, taking a hair vitamin may be right for you.
Sources
Oliver, Dana. "Why You Should Be Cautious Of Taking Biotin For Your Hair, Skin & Nails." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 30 Sept. 2013. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
"How Does Biotin Make Your Hair Grow Faster?" LIVESTRONG.COM. LIVESTRONG.COM, 16 Aug. 2013. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
"Biotin Side Effects." LoveToKnow. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
"Biotin for Hair Loss." LoveToKnow. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
"My Disastrous Experience Taking Biotin Supplements for Hair Growth." Black Girl with Long Hair. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
"P&G Beauty & Grooming | The Hair Growth Cycle." P&G Beauty & Grooming | The Hair Growth Cycle. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2014.
"Biotin" NLM.NIH.gov N.p.,n.d. Web Nov 16 2014
"The Only Hair Typing System Article You'll Ever Need" CURLCENTRIC.COM N.p., n.d. Web Nov 15 2014