Biotin and Hair Growth
Everyone longs for those long, beautiful, rippling tresses. However, due to the pollution, our hair is exposed to so many irritants that it is truly difficult to maintain healthy hair. This is the reason why, along with external hair care, in the form of regular conditioning and shampooing of hair, one needs to ensure that one follows a healthy diet, so that the hair reflects it. This is where biotin and hair growth come into the picture. Biotin is a water soluble B complex vitamin which is necessary for cell growth, the production of fatty acids, and the metabolism of fats and amino acids in the body. The use of biotin for hair growth is not new and there are many biotin supplements that are available in the market. In fact, there are a few shampoos and solutions that claim to work on the hair and contain biotin, although the rate of absorption of biotin through the skin is doubtful. Given below are details about the use of biotin for hair growth and what happens if there is a deficiency of biotin in the body.
How Does Biotin Vitamin for Hair Growth Work?
There are many various benefits and side effects of biotin. In fact, most people agree that biotin and hair growth are closely related. However, what many people do not know is how biotin exactly helps or aids in hair growth. Biotin is responsible for promoting healthy hair growth and also prevents the chances of developing dry hair. Furthermore, biotin and hair growth are closely related because this fabulous hair vitamin also increases the elasticity of the hair's cortex, thus greatly minimizes the chances of hair breakage. Thus, biotin is helpful in inducing the growth of hair and new skin cells, making them healthier and more abundant. For individuals who are experiencing hair loss, extra biotin may help their hair grow thicker, healthier and longer.
Daily Requirement Levels of Biotin for Hair Growth
In 1998, the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine felt that the existing evidence, regarding requirements of biotin, was insufficient to calculate an RDA for biotin, so they, instead, set an Adequate Intake level (AI). Hence, the daily recommendations for dietary vitamin B7 are listed below, as per the requirement of biotin dosage for hair growth:
- Infants 0 - 6 months: 5 mcg/day
- Infants 7 - 12 months: 6 mcg/day
- Children 1 - 3 years: 8mcg/day
- Children 4 - 8 years: 12 mcg/day
- Children 9 - 13 years: 20 mcg/day
- Adolescents 14 - 18 years: 25 mcg/day (female) and 25 mcg/day (male)
- Adults 19 years and older: 30 mcg/day (female) and 30 mcg/day (male)
- Pregnancy: 30 mcg/day
- Breastfeeding all ages: 35 mcg/day
Biotin deficiency is quite rare and is very mild. This can only occur in extreme circumstances like, if a person were to eat twenty raw egg whites! The protein avidin, which is present in egg whites binds to biotin, rendering it unavailable to the cells. As biotin and hair growth are so closely related, the symptoms of biotin deficiency include hair loss along with other skin related symptoms, like conjunctivitis, dermatitis and certain neurological symptoms. There may also be achromotrichia, which is, the absence or loss of pigments in the hair. As mentioned earlier, biotin deficiency is rare and so, one must lookout for other symptoms as well so as to be sure that the symptoms seen are indeed due to biotin deficiency. These symptoms would include red scaly facial rash, lethargy, depression, etc. In still rarer cases, a person may land up with a deficiency of biotin because of a biotinidase deficiency (genetic disorder), chronic intake of seizure medication, dialysis, etc. However, when you are being treated for biotin deficiency, ensure that you do not end up taking a biotin overdose, as it may have equally detrimental effects on your hair and overall health.
This was all about the relationship between biotin and hair growth. It is of utmost importance that individuals discuss the use of biotin for hair growth with their physicians, so as to ensure that they are not allergic to the medication or are not taking any medications that the biotin may interact with. They also need to ensure that they don't land up taking too much biotin. Something that might be of help while arriving at a decision includes reading reviews on the use of biotin and MSM for hair growth, to see, how it has helped other consumers experiencing hair loss and whether or not it worked for them. Also, this will help throw some light on whether biotin can lead to certain biotin side effects or not. In the end, even if biotin and hair growth are closely related, it is always advisable to make an informed decision before trying out any product or supplement.
